Cleaner dilemma - what would you do?

I have had so many cleaners over the years, from when we were young and busy, when I had babies and now we are retired.. They all have some fault.
The first was a demon who cleaned the house in record time but bashed things about a bit.
One was so bossy DH was scared of her and used to avoid her.
Another was a ray of darkness. Sighs and tuts and huffing and puffing.
I never got rid of any, they all moved on for various reasons and I hadn't had a cleaner for years and we decided to get another once a month. In between DH and I can do it.
The current one has four children and a waster of a partner. She doesn't come in school holidays or when she has a poorly child. Let me down this week. BUT she does a beautiful job of cleaning so I'm keeping her.

The OP can't do it herself so that's a problem.
My suggestion would be to find someone elsewho is willing to do as and when, so they could step in during school holidays. Or use an agency just when you absolutely have to.

farmgran

Maybe you could ask her to put two fitted sheets on the bed so yo could take one of them off if you feel like a clean one.

Or you could get coverless duvets that go in the wash without needing to have the covers removed (as there aren't any ). You just wash and put back, or swap with a spare if you have one.

They dry extremely quickly, even if you don't have a dryer. You can put them on the line or over a bannister in the morning and they will be ready by bedtime.

www.finebedding.co.uk/products/night-lark-linen-print-coverless-duvet?variant=31609210601534

thanks farmgran, coverless duvet looks like a great idea.

Tell her to bring her little boy? And do a quicker clean?

You’re lucky she changes the beds, when I worked as a cleaner it was one of the things we didn’t do along with cleaning windows or appliances. I would definitely stick with her.

Buttonjugs

You’re lucky she changes the beds, when I worked as a cleaner it was one of the things we didn’t do along with cleaning windows or appliances. I would definitely stick with her.

I've never had a cleaner who didn't change beds, or clean windows if I asked. I'm not sure why they wouldn't.

Nor am I. Surely what is covered is something that is agreed between the client and the cleaner. Maybe where agencies are concerned it might be different, though.

Buttonjugs

You’re lucky she changes the beds, when I worked as a cleaner it was one of the things we didn’t do along with cleaning windows or appliances. I would definitely stick with her.

Crikey to them not changing beds!!!! Well that's the final straw as to whether I'll ever look for a regular cleaner or no if they're iffy about doing that - as that would be one of the tasks they would HAVE to do regardless (as I do struggle a bit with the fact my bed is king-size and my new bed has a much thicker and heavier mattress than the old one had (it's got that funny sorta "layer" thingie they've put on top of the mattress per se on some of these new ones).

That sounds like a last straw to getting one then - on top of "Must be reliable, must be good, must be honest, must be discreet".

Oh well and anything I can't do if it comes to it will mean me telling visitors "Not my fault - apparently it's very hard/maybe impossible to get a decent cleaner".

ferry23

Buttonjugs

You’re lucky she changes the beds, when I worked as a cleaner it was one of the things we didn’t do along with cleaning windows or appliances. I would definitely stick with her.

I've never had a cleaner who didn't change beds, or clean windows if I asked. I'm not sure why they wouldn't.

I think I can tell you the answer to the refusal to clean windows - it's " 'elf n' safety innit". That being they care about their 'elf and safety and don't care about yours. I got told that when I booked that "thorough springclean level" clean one time by a firm. "Ooooooh......we can't do that (ie touch your windows)" and they just shrugged at how they were to be done then without little (more unsteady) me getting up on a stepladder to do them. Hence my even having to insist (several times) that "Yes the bottom part of my showerglass CAN be cleaned. It is NOT impossible to do" until the boss got on his hands/knees to do it because fat employee cleaner was refusing to by saying it was "impossible/too ground in".

It is perfectly possible to get a cleaner who will clean windows. Mine does them, as well as mirrors and anything that requires standing on a ladder or step, as I don't like doing that. She doesn't change beds, as I pay her to clean, but she would do it if I asked her.

I don't think you can generalise like that. My cleaner is very helpful and willing. She has a routine if I am not there, and when I am she always asks if there is anything in particular I want her to do or prioritise. I wouldn't expect her to endanger her safety, but she is safer than me doing some things, as she is a lot younger and doesn't have dodgy knees. I can't think of any intrinsically dangerous household chores .

I think it's yes to the window cleaning and generally a no to changing a bed.

Good reliable cleaners are in high demand and can choose who they go to. An agency will send whoever they have available.

watertyger

I think it's sad that no one seems to be sympathetic to the cleaning woman who seems to be juggling a lot of issues and doing her best, and is a nice person. Haven't we all been in her position, juggling family responsibilities and work?
Why not let those memories inform the way we treat young women?
The only way to be sure of not having these problems is to use a cleaning company and pay a lot more for the service.

Exactly that , very remiss of folk to completely ignore the fact which is actually causing the OP an issue .
A good many years ago I had two cleaning jobs one was for the elderly grandparents of someone who worked at the company where I also cleaned . I cleaned for them once a week & by arrangement there were times that I took my then 2 yr old son with me .
Not often & I can’t remember why this was now but he was no problem & at 45 can still remember.
Personally, I’d cut her some slack & also ask if she knows anyone who could cover when she’s not able to come .
Depending how old the child is in I am sure they are able to sit quietly while Mum works or you could even use that the time to talk to him . a
She’s a mum juggling a life & work balance .

Mt61

Employ someone who has no children.

Harsh 😢

NanaTuesday - you will see upthread that I have said she works a full day - she can't take a 6 year old from house to house all day long and the little boy has special needs - it's likely he needs a level of attention that wouldn't be possible.

Yes I accept she's a young Mum juggling work and family which is why I've given her a wide margin of error.

However, she's running a cleaning business - it's not for her customers to child mind for her. She charges the market rate - the same a someone who doesn't have child care issues that the customer has to accommodate.

Perhaps that's what I should suggest - I'll childmind for 2 hours, and she cleans my home. I wont' charge for the childminding and she doesn't charge for the cleaning.

Ooh yuck. 4 weeks for a sheet change. The cleaner sounds like she's taking the mickey. Its not just once or twice is it, and you seem as though you need regular help, not just when she can fit you in.Thats the trouble with casual cleaners. Go through age concern. My daughter has a regular cleaner, through a company, occasionally off through child care , not very often though. Rather judgemental about younger women doing the job.

Nanatuesday there are some people out there that haven’t got children & who also clean for a living, plus there are male cleaners out there.
Our neighbors have a lovely guy who comes to their house to do their cleaning, plus odd jobs that her husband is too old to do. If he can’t come on his usual day, he comes on another day that week. Perfect 😊

A bit late to this thread cos I have been away, but I'd love a good cleaner once a month cos otherwise much of my house gets a lot less. First, it is too big now (DH will not move), second DH is semi-disabled now but was never any good at cleaning (he doesn't see dirt or the point of cleaning and is grossly untidy), and third I appear to have low standards compared to many of you - and I am not saying you are too fussy, just that I am pretty lax.

BUT, in my are there simply are NO cleaners with space available, and few agencies (who all charge the earth) so I have no choice but to struggle myself so once a month would be a great improvement.

I don't have a great issue with paying cash cos it is legal tender and whether or not they declare it for tax purposes is up to them - and I guess that many of them earn less than the tax level anyway. But yes, they ought to pay their self-employed "stamp" to secure a pension, so it would have to be declared. Voluntary contributions cost a lot more.

For me, this young lady would be absolutely fine. Send her to me if you decide to let her go!

Shut dog in spare room ? No

I am the same, arthritis and I am unable to do the same things as you. I feel like this post could have been written by me! I would absolutely get rid. One of my cleaners about 2 years ago was the same so I found someone else. I will not live in a "grubby" house. If she can't provide a consistent service she shouldn't do the job. People will use her services because they need her.

nanatuesday why is that harsh. I would rather employ someone with no kids then one with kids who constantly let's me down.

My mother-in-law (101 now) strips her bed and her cleaner puts clean sheets on for her.
It seems to work.

Her cleaner will clean windows (and anything else!)