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AIBU

Expecting too much of my cleaner

(128 Posts)
Admum3 Thu 01-Jul-21 10:34:24

AIBU expecting my cleaner to empty the hair trap when cleaning the shower?
My pre-Covid cleaner always did and it was just part of her routine. I didn't request it specifically. However my current cleaner says she doesn't do it and it's not Covid related or anything.
I have mobility issues and anything at ground level is out of my reach! ?

kjmpde Sat 03-Jul-21 10:51:53

If you can bend down a litt put a little hair remover in the plug hole (eg nairn). It should dissolve the hair

Frizzywizzy Sat 03-Jul-21 10:51:48

That really is a very unpleasant job and I wouldn’t expect it of my cleaner, especially if S/he were on minimum wage or not much above it.
However, I do have sympathy for you if you’re unable to do it yourself.
I would either ask her to do ‘the nasty jobs’ as a one off, (deep clean) for additional pay or is there any chance you could use a stool to make it possible for you to do it yourself?

GillT57 Sat 03-Jul-21 10:50:43

MissAdventure

Some agencies don't allow their staff to bend or stretch up.
They are only allowed to clean the middle bit of everything.
I know that because my neighbour used to take on many a disgruntled customer and clean properly.

Nonsense. A reputable cleaning company will send someone round to establish what the client wants done and from that will work out how long it will take and cost. If only the middle of things is being cleaned, the cleaners aren't doing their job properly, end of, nothing to do with what is allowed and what isn't.

Cossy Sat 03-Jul-21 10:47:42

Well I’ve never had a cleaner but my mums had plenty and I had live in au pairs when children were little, whilst I was at work and the kids at school they were expected to attend English classes and between classes do “light” housework..I had one each year, it really varied, some volunteered to clean out the kids caged animals as they loved animals, others would leave spotless kitchens, one ran up huge phone bills and disappeared off into the night !!!!

LuckyDuck Sat 03-Jul-21 10:45:49

I spent years cleaning other people`s houses. I just did what I would do in my own place and yes hair traps if I could see it needed doing. One of my ladies had someone that wouldn`t clean toilets. I did anything that was asked of me, cleaning ovens, ironing, anything at all. My ladies used to say that good cleaners are hard to find.

Cycorax Sat 03-Jul-21 10:43:16

Agree that you need to be clear what you want your cleaner to do. I've been doing my cleaning myself since 2nd lockdown. She was much better than I am at making a room look good, but I think I am better with the loos and shower. I am hoping to get another cleaner and will take this discussion as a prompt to make my requirements clear

Taliya Sat 03-Jul-21 10:43:01

Probably best to say what cleaning jobs you expect to be done when you employ the cleaner.

Shirlb Sat 03-Jul-21 10:42:30

No not too much important part of cleaning shower for me??

Toddleo Sat 03-Jul-21 10:42:09

I work as a home helper (cleaner) for a well known UK age related charity. I have always asked my clients what they would like me to include as part of my routine, and always ask them to make sure they tell me if they are unhappy about anything I may have missed. Fortunately my clients have all been lovely and I hope that the feeling is mutual, communication is the key.

Buttonjugs Sat 03-Jul-21 10:41:04

I used to be a cleaner and was never expected to fish other peoples minging hair out of plugholes or shower traps. It’s disgusting enough doing my own, I am horrified that people expect this. I do my own every time I have a shower, if you can’t bend use an unfurled wire coat hanger.

Jeannie59 Sat 03-Jul-21 10:39:49

Sorry a few predictive texts and missed words out

Jeannie59 Sat 03-Jul-21 10:38:33

I have plenty of cleaning work, ie military accommodation, officers houses, private cleaning,band sheltered housing cleaner
I would always do what I was paid to do and more
cleaning the hair from a plug hole or shower hole, is part of cleaning
and of course emptying bins is part of it too.
You are not being unreasonable to expect this to be done and if you have mobility issues, you would think your cleaner would help by doing these things without question

henetha Sat 03-Jul-21 10:38:12

I'm so envious. I would just love to have a cleaner.

Shortlegs Sat 03-Jul-21 10:33:47

1st world problems.

fevertree Fri 02-Jul-21 22:11:20

With some scepticism, I bought "enzyme sticks" at Tesco to put in the shower drain hole and I'm a total convert. We are amazed at how clean the plugholes stay between weekly cleaning. It dissolves the hair (or something). You can also buy them online.

We also threw away (in both our showers) the unnecessary external plastic caps or covers that had no real purpose other than to act as an extra place to trap hair and stuff.

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 02-Jul-21 20:24:56

And me!?

Greeneyedgirl Fri 02-Jul-21 19:47:37

Me too H1954

H1954 Fri 02-Jul-21 16:48:09

I don't have a cleaner either. However, I can sympathise with any cleaners out there that cannot tackle the hair in a shower plug hole. I can clean my own but the though of cleaning anyone else's just makes me shudder! ??

Newatthis Fri 02-Jul-21 16:44:00

Get a new one. If she worked in an office or factory and was fussy about what she did and didn’t do she wouldn’t last long.

BBbevan Fri 02-Jul-21 14:47:52

When we moved into this house all the showers were absolutely filthy. Above head height and behind doors was cobweb city. The cleaner gave us the keys. She had just finished top to bottom she said . What ever had the previous owners been paying her for?

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 02-Jul-21 14:15:09

Yes I think so Calendargirl. We all learn the hard way ?!

Calendargirl Fri 02-Jul-21 14:00:26

I suppose because the OP’s original cleaner cleaned the shower tray, she just assumed the new cleaner would do also, but I take your point GSM.

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 02-Jul-21 13:45:18

Gosh Chewbacca and annsixty, those poor animals (and poor Chewbacca too). I’d have reported them to the RSPCA. Just amazing that people can live like that and expect someone else to clean it all up/blithely invite people in. Sounds like one of those filthy homes on TV programmes which I’d love to watch but husband refuses! I’d be like a domestic goddess in comparison I’m sure!?

Chewbacca Fri 02-Jul-21 12:59:09

They just didn’t mind how they lived
I didn't mind how they lived either; I just wouldn't clean it up! grin

annsixty Fri 02-Jul-21 12:57:54

Charged not chatted.
B....y auto correct