Not very happy with cleaner.

This thread has reminded me why I don’t have a cleaner! We had someone who worked for a friend, the kitchen was always shining when I came home, but as time went on, she literally cut corners - she would shove everything on the floor in the living room out to the sides of the living room, then hoover the bit of carpet in the middle - which was no good to me, really.

Callistemon21

EmilyHarburn

Some cleaners need to put on their reading glasses to see the dust and so do not notice things including cobwebs

My nephew used to joke that his Gran (my Mum) used to carry a magnifying glass to look for dust 😁

That is a good point, it is only when wearing reading glasses that I notice dust, I don't know how you could politely ask a cleaner about glasses wearing though.

I was a cleaner housekeeper several years ago I was basically left to it, working for professional couple, I worked 3 hours in a massive home built century’s ago, I was expected to vacuum 9 rooms , clean two bathrooms make adults bed and both children’s, they did clear away breakfast things so it was wiping worktops sink etc, clearing cobwebs of which there were many, and iron few bits of childrens uniform. I left when they decided they wanted me to clean patio windows inside, all for ten pounds hour. 🤣🤣

I wish I could afford a cleaner at all.

EmilyHarburn

Some cleaners need to put on their reading glasses to see the dust and so do not notice things including cobwebs

My nephew used to joke that his Gran (my Mum) used to carry a magnifying glass to look for dust 😁

LRavenscroft

Why do people have cleaners? I have always done my own cleaning despite a busy life as I didn't like strangers coming into my home and touching my things. It has always been very therapeutic to dust/vacuum after a busy day and feel I had achieved something physical. Also, it has saved us a fortune financially. Why would I want to pay someone to free up my time so I can go bowling/meet with friends etc? Nothing like a good bit of elbow grease. I suppose when I am no longer able to do my own cleaning I will need to get someone in, but, till then, I'll do my own.

Why do people have cleaners?
For all kinds of reasons.

They may loathe cleaning.
They may be too busy to clean as thoroughly as they'd like.
They may be old, frailer than they were or less able in some ways.
They may have always done their own cleaning and find it upsetting if they cannot cope with it and keep everywhere as clean as it was.

Some cleaners need to put on their reading glasses to see the dust and so do not notice things including cobwebs

Primrose53

Depends what your house is like. My friend is a cleaner but now goes and looks at them beforehand before deciding whether she wants the job.

Some houses are on different levels, steps everywhere, some are full of clutter and ornaments, some have cats and dogs that never get brushed and leave a mess. She has so much work that she only takes on places that are already neat and clean.

She has so much work that she only takes on places that are already neat and clean

We're hoping to have a cleaner - when she finds a slot.
However, I've found myself trying to go through a room at a time, sorting, moving furniture, cleaning in corners so that it's not too bad before she starts!
Daft? Probably.
But there are things I can't do and it's all getting too much to cope with.

"When the cleaner started she did a good job for a couple of weeks."

Did the good job include the items you are now complaining about?

What was the response when you mentioned them to her? You HAVE mentioned them to her I hope?

If you’re not happy, get a new cleaner.

There should be a rota written up that highlights all the basics that should be done as well as less frequent jobs that can be done on rotation to keep on top of them.

You would organise this rota with your cleaner and then they can express what is achievable in the time allocated and expectations are clear.

I use an agency that charges £16 an hour. They have two levels of cleaning - regular and deep clean. Deep clean is more expensive and involves windows, moving furniture; a good "bottoming out" and only recommended periodically. The regular clean is surfaces, vacuuming; kitchen and bathroom and bedroooms. I find the regular clean just about adequate as I still do fair bit myself and see a cleaner as a back-up.
It pays to clear the decks before they start to allow them to work more efficiently, by the way. A two hour stint is enough for non-stop cleaning imo.

geeljay

Here in Devon, seems to be £10 or £12 per hour, but depends on the size of the job (house).

My regular cleaner I had for 3 years or so charged £10 ph , but unfortunately she finished to take on a different job . Then the next cleaner I’d had charged £30 for two hours , but , she were hopeless , she were happy just mooching around with her feather duster , so , that were a no go . Then I’d queried about another cleaner and she wanted £17 ph at minimum of 2 hours ! I have , for the foreseeable future , given up on them , I now just take my time and do it myself , bit at a time . I don’t like being overcharged for little return .

Oooh biglouis can I borrow your new cleaner - he sounds perfect.

Here in Devon, seems to be £10 or £12 per hour, but depends on the size of the job (house).

I honestly can't believe how much some people will pay for a cleaner. My aunt used to pay £25 an hour and that was a few years ago and she didn't hoover under the table as she had a bad back.

LRavenscroft, you answered your own question, right at the end.
I never for one moment thought that I would have a cleaner. I used to be one, many years ago when money was tight and I was asked if I would consider cleaning for them.
Then, I became increasingly unwell and frankly didn't have the energy to clean as I liked it to be done.
Hence, I have my lovely cleaner, and I am happy.

I do think cleaning for 3 hours without a break is a bit much.
We have someone for 2 hours and she does vacuuming and the bathroom and kitchen .
She's also great to talk to so I reckon she's worth it for the therapy .

My cleaner (when I worked long hours) was a friend - so, no, I didn't give her a detailed list of jobs to do. She'd do all the floors, then look around to see what else needed doing.

I'm afraid the outsides of washbasins (and tops of doors) would only be done occasionally around here. The cat/dog flaps really do need a weekly washing - and I'm fussy about the front door being clean and shiny too. We're all different in our expectations and standards.

I banned her from cleaning windows, TVs and mirrors as she left them smeary (so I did them myself) yet she regularly deep cleaned the oven - when I really wouldn't have bothered.

Now that I'm retired, though, I can easily do it all myself - just not so often as I've lowered my standards to suit!

I no longer have a cleaner, I managed without during Covid and have continued.

My old cleaner became far too relaxed!

I asked her not to do a couple of bedrooms as I had thoroughly cleaned them and “mothballed” them as we were not going to be using them, I found her with the vacuum in one of the rooms, she said SHE had decided it needed doing!

She also used to take my Miele hoover bags as she was always running out, she always said she would replace them but never did.

I think the only reason we kept her for so long was because she always referred to her daughter who lived above a delicatessen, she pronounced delicatessen dellincontestant.

My husband and children had a little game to see if they could get her to say it😬.

My cleaning lady did more than that in 1 hour ! You are certainly not expecting too much !

I think this one is taking advantage of you that’s for sure . Even though my cleaner were good in my home I know for a fact that the same cleaning lady were taking advantage of my elderly friend because she told me that she’d stand around chatting instead of getting on with the cleaning , also she would leave 10 mins before her hour were up , when I said why don’t she sort it out with her she said that because she were so nice she didn’t have the heart to say anything . But at the end of the day that were her choice to do so .

I’d either have a good chat to your cleaner or get another one as I personally don’t like to be taken advantage of . At £15 plus per hour it’s a lot money compared to the national average of “ unskilled “ jobs .

Why do people have cleaners? I have always done my own cleaning despite a busy life as I didn't like strangers coming into my home and touching my things. It has always been very therapeutic to dust/vacuum after a busy day and feel I had achieved something physical. Also, it has saved us a fortune financially. Why would I want to pay someone to free up my time so I can go bowling/meet with friends etc? Nothing like a good bit of elbow grease. I suppose when I am no longer able to do my own cleaning I will need to get someone in, but, till then, I'll do my own.

I never see the girls from the agency, they use a key safe, and I don’t have any contact with them at all.
I miss the personal touch, but at least they’re 100% reliable, no problems with poorly children or school holidays.

Ali08

We've thought about hiring a cleaner but are unsure of the cost.
Can you ladies/gents tell me what are reasonable rates, please?
We have a 2 bedroom house with upstairs bathroom/loo, a downstairs loo, and the lounge, kitchen and dining area are all-in-one, about the size of a decent lounge-diner, just L-shaped.

Totally dependent upon which part of the country you are in, and on whether you're urban, suburban, or rural. Google local news sites or local Facebook groups for info and recommendations. Also check out local cleaning agencies, as that's where we got ours from. They'll quote you based on what you tell them you need. Much safer than just hiring privately for many reasons.

We've thought about hiring a cleaner but are unsure of the cost.
Can you ladies/gents tell me what are reasonable rates, please?
We have a 2 bedroom house with upstairs bathroom/loo, a downstairs loo, and the lounge, kitchen and dining area are all-in-one, about the size of a decent lounge-diner, just L-shaped.

Primrose, I agree. Each house is different. Some kitchens are tidied up well every day, and others have lots of built up food spills. Some are relatively clear of counter top items, some are filled with appliances and knick-knacks.

Nandalot, I would have a list for her. Are you home when she is cleaning? She should be able to get a lot done in 3 hours.