What makes a good cleaner?

SuzieSue

Spendless wrote: »

I'd be hiding the kitchen roll when she comes round. Unless she fetches her own?

I'd be saying good bye.

MallyGirl

it is tempting but she also feeds the cat when we are away - couldn't use a cattery for her as she has stress induced fits when put in a box for travel - and puts up with the dogs.

SuzieSue

MallyGirl wrote: »

it is tempting but she also feeds the cat when we are away - couldn't use a cattery for her as she has stress induced fits when put in a box for travel - and puts up with the dogs.

Yes, I assumed there must be other reasons why you keep her on.

Red-Squirrel_2

MrsSippi wrote: »

Thanks for all the further replies. Well..... I have started the job and admittedly I've only been once but could do with some opinions on this.....

I have been employed for 2 hrs a week to cover 1.5 hrs cleaning and .5 hrs dog walking. The wage set by my employers is £8/he which tbh is lower than I would have liked but given that I have no 'official'cleaning experience it is something I am not going to begrudge.

Anyway..... the property is an average size 2 bed bungalow and in 1.5 hrs my clients expect me to Hoover and mop throughout (lounge, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and conservatory), dust throughout, clean kitchen and bathroom, dust and polish in bedrooms and conservatory and lounge AND also clean front windows.
Admittedly it was my first visit so took a bit longer as I was trying to find some cleaning bits which weren't left out for me (mop, Hoover attachments they wanted used etc) but I was there still cleaning after 2.5 hrs having not yet walked dog and still not completely finished the cleaning.

Anyway, having mentioned this to a couple of people (a. Without naming names etc and b. Just to garner some opinions) it would appear the general consensus is that my employers are expecting far too much for the time and money. Believe me, I started work the second I got in the door and didn't stop once but it still wasn't enough time.

I'm not sure if my employers have had a cleaner before so can't honestly tell if they genuinely don't realise they are being unrealistic in their expectations or if they are taking the pee.

I am not going to say anything yet as want to see what 2nd visit is like and if they make any comments about what was done but would appreciate some thoughts on this. Equally, I am not going to have a moan at all but before I approach the subject with them (if indeed it's needed) I just want to make sure it's not me who is being unrealistic etc.

The going rate for dog walking is at least £10 an hour, more in expensive areas like London, and most would only do at least an hour minimum.

I do think you are being expected to do too much.

MallyGirl

I pay my dog walker £20 to walk my 2 big dogs for an hour - but she has full indemnity insurance, is registered with the council, etc.

ElusiveLucy

It takes the two of us 1.5 hours to clean our two bed house - one bathroom and one downstairs loo. I think your employer is expecting far too much if they want a good job done. If I had a cleaner I would expect them to take 3 hours to clean our house reasonably well. Mind you I would only have that done once a fortnight, then do a quick run around myself in between times (hoover, bathrooms etc)

[Deleted User]

Reminds me of some very 'posh' people who expected me to babysit for their kids for £2 an hour. Even in the Mid 90's this was slave rates. The job ended when they asked me to do extra hours and I said I could but only in a limited way because I had exams.., and then I was left there til midnite after being told I could leave at 6pm. I couldn't contact them, nothing. I never worked there again and I am afraid told the father what I thought when he walked through the door, which wasn't something I am happy about but I was pretty cross. I would do the washing up because I didn't like sitting there doing nothing while there was a sink full of dirty stuff, they asked me to bath their daughter (I mean, I could have been anyone) but I was never an actual person to them. And the resentment built lol.

Kim_kim

MrsSippi wrote: »

Thanks for all the further replies. Well..... I have started the job and admittedly I've only been once but could do with some opinions on this.....

I have been employed for 2 hrs a week to cover 1.5 hrs cleaning and .5 hrs dog walking. The wage set by my employers is £8/he which tbh is lower than I would have liked but given that I have no 'official'cleaning experience it is something I am not going to begrudge.

Anyway..... the property is an average size 2 bed bungalow and in 1.5 hrs my clients expect me to Hoover and mop throughout (lounge, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and conservatory), dust throughout, clean kitchen and bathroom, dust and polish in bedrooms and conservatory and lounge AND also clean front windows.
Admittedly it was my first visit so took a bit longer as I was trying to find some cleaning bits which weren't left out for me (mop, Hoover attachments they wanted used etc) but I was there still cleaning after 2.5 hrs having not yet walked dog and still not completely finished the cleaning.

Anyway, having mentioned this to a couple of people (a. Without naming names etc and b. Just to garner some opinions) it would appear the general consensus is that my employers are expecting far too much for the time and money. Believe me, I started work the second I got in the door and didn't stop once but it still wasn't enough time.

I'm not sure if my employers have had a cleaner before so can't honestly tell if they genuinely don't realise they are being unrealistic in their expectations or if they are taking the pee.

I am not going to say anything yet as want to see what 2nd visit is like and if they make any comments about what was done but would appreciate some thoughts on this. Equally, I am not going to have a moan at all but before I approach the subject with them (if indeed it's needed) I just want to make sure it's not me who is being unrealistic etc.

Is this a proper job, do you declare the income with your other income for tax & NI?

If it's cash in hand & you don't like the rate/terms I suspect they will find someone else who does.

Your rate is more than the minimum wage & many many people work for that & pay a third of it for tax, NI & pension.

My cleaner runs her own small business, she's insured & CRBed.
I pay her £12.50 an hour, she supplies the materials (she does for all her clients).

Are you insured? Do you provide materials?
What's the going rate in your area?

NeilCr

What makes a good cleaner is going to depend on the customer

I'm a bloke on my own who socialises a lot but rarely has visitors. I've also got a weird cat who can't go out (FIV+).

I've known my cleaner for ages - she's a friend now. I want the house clean (not sparkling or deep cleaned) - she comes in once a week - vacuums, washes the floors, does the bathroom and downstairs loo, cleans up the kitchen. That suits me fine

I don't need/want a lot of tidying up around me. Just means I have to find things

She has a key and usually comes when I am out. She and the cat get on well and I trust her not to let him out

Others will have different requirements. These suit me - she is looking for a full time job (hopes she gets one). I'm dreading the thought of having to look for a replacement as she fits the bill so well!

mattpaint

Kim_kim wrote: »

Your rate is more than the minimum wage & many many people work for that & pay a third of it for tax, NI & pension.

No they don't.