Watty's Awakening

greenbee

Agree with redo. She should be doing the work you ask her to do, and using the products you want her to. 

I have to admit my cleaner tends to pick things up and dust underneath them but not dust the 'things' unless I specifically ask her to. But overall she does a good job which allows me to deal with the easier things. I know that the whole house is hoovered, superficially dusted, floors are washed, baths/showers/loos are cleaned, and kitchen is cleaned every week. If I want something specific done I let her know but she has standard stuff she does on a regular basis (which includes making my bed - and changing the sheets if I've stripped it and left the clean bedding there, which feels VERY indulgent!). My quality of life would definitely suffer without her. 

Cherryfudge

If she has started using more bleach after you've spoken to about her cleaning (presumably in terms of 'Why did I still have to dust/clean the bathroom'?), then I'd say she's using the smell as evidence that she's worked. I suppose with a dog and an outdoor lifestyle, some of the outdoors is bound to trek in, but it's your house and you have the right to ask her not to use bleach - there are plenty of alternatives and some tiles need special treatment.

As to the wet floors, if she has a mop and bucket, in this weather the floor should be dry in about 15 minutes. She needs to wring the mop out properly! Leaving it wet isn't safe.

Does she have clear guidelines as to what you want her to do, and what you don't want? If so, and she's not adhering to them (but used to, so I assume they are reasonable), it might be time to move on. However (speaking as a cleaner!) people do become blind to certain jobs, so a change of routine can pep them up - but sometimes an erstwhile good cleaner gets lazy, in which case, given due warning in terms of being told what's needed, you need a new cleaner.

Watty1

Really helpful comments thank you.  I think @beanielou and @Cherryfudge nailed it in that I have not been clear enough - but the flip side is that I'm actually happy enough if someone runs out of time that they don't dust downstairs but thinking it over I realised that @redofromstart nailed it as so many of you said. This is supposed to be a joy in my week not a stress.      I'm sure the water and bleach was evidence that the floor had been done, the comments about it being dirty, I think just making the point she had done a great job

She comes via an agency (who doesn't have anyone else and who denies she is scared of WattyDog) so I am going to take a two week break and see how I manage.

Suffolk_lass

I think during the two week break, it would be helpful to notate what you do, what products and how long it takes. There's a balance between a professional cleaner being potentially quicker, and you being more rigorous because you care more. It is perfectly acceptable for you to stipulate which products are to be used, and where, and she should be cognisant of this.

My last cleaner stripped the wallpaper off the staircases. It was a vinyl wipeable top on a paper underneath and Mr Sl & I had a terrible row before I asked a friend to discreetly enquire whether she was responsible. Apparently one corner had been damaged (by a delivery being moved upstairs) and it was annoying her. She also piled up all the papers that were on the table with other papers that were lying around (they were the newspapers from that week that were in a box on the floor ready to go in the recycling bin. After more discreet enquiries we had to pursue reissuing of cheques that had gone into the bin thanks to that little practice. We have had no cleaner in the 20 years we have lived here!!

Watty1

oh Suffolk Lass what a story!

I am just editing my post as I decided it was a bit traumatic.    I have decided I am done after the story of her cat which she shared with the VNM

In more fun news, WattyDog went to the physio place today and had a go on the treadmill.  The water was hot, he was very anxious but he got the hang of it and was a star.  He has slept most of the day.    

beanielou

Glad you have made a decision that’s right for you. 

PennysIntoPounds

Eek! @Suffolk_lass

Does sound rather dodge @Watty1. Maybe when you're letting the agency know you no longer require her services you could ask them to let her know about PDSA, the Pets in need of Vets charity 🙂

Watty1

@PennysIntoPounds that was a super helpful comment.  I've messaged the agency and send a few links and the agency came back and said the cat  had been put to sleep so now I feel that was sad but the right thing under the circumstances.

PennysIntoPounds

Ah that's sad but good on you for bothering to try to help, and maybe that knowledge will be of use to someone there in future. Rest in peace that cat. 

Don't start feeling guilty and take back Bad Cleaner though!

Humdinger1

Wait,  what? Rehoming a paddling pool to an emu?!  Every detail please @Watty1 love Humdinger xx