What is normal when it comes to having a cleaning lady?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is unfortunately normal is that they’ll soon start slacking off, will break something, will steal something, or all of the above. If they don’t, and it lasts months, then you can start offering them food and bonuses.

This is true. And even if it's not "breaking" they will scratch your fridge or cooktops, bang into your walls or floors, or damage finishes on things. It's part of the package.

Then you all have the wrong cleaners. Our cleaning lady has been with us for over 15 years. During that time, only one thing has ever been broken/damaged, she told us, we said "accidents happen," and we all moved on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is unfortunately normal is that they’ll soon start slacking off, will break something, will steal something, or all of the above. If they don’t, and it lasts months, then you can start offering them food and bonuses.

This is true. And even if it's not "breaking" they will scratch your fridge or cooktops, bang into your walls or floors, or damage finishes on things. It's part of the package.

Yes. And half my Miele attachments are missing. My guess is they get put in the apron/pocket and they forget, and then because of course each attachment isn’t labeled with my name, they have no idea which house or vac it goes to.

They use their own equipment and it's disgusting. They use your equipment and lose pieces. Can't win!

I'm happy that our lady uses our equipment. I even went so far as to ask her what model of vacuum she prefers and bought her one to use at our house. She uses that on one level and our central vac system on the others. Whatever works best for her. She's an absolute blessing.

[Anonymous]

Never in my life heard of someone cooking a meal for their cleaner that comes once a week, before they head out the door and go to work.

[Anonymous]

To get the most out of your cleaning you should ask for a deep cleaning on your initial/first visit. This may cost upward of $150+ but will create a baseline for subsequent cleanings afterward whether weekly or biweekly.
Before they arrive it is good if you make sure all counters, floors, etc. are thoroughly decluttered so the cleaning lady does not have to take the time to move stuff out of the way or clean around it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cleaners may come alone but it is better when they come either as a duo or a team.
I prefer this since it means they will get the house cleaner quicker.

Some of them will play loud music while they clean which can be annoying if you have a baby who is napping during their shift.

Many will do a light, surface dusting of coffee tables and shelves but if you have a lot of stuff you should probably do all the dusting on your own.

+1
Most cleaners are very thorough in their work but they typically fall short in the dusting department.

They may surface dust areas mostly visible, but will not spend hours dusting numerous items and areas.
So if you employ a cleaning lady do so fully expecting that you will be doing most of the dusting in your home.

My mom’s cleaning lady does everything (AND does a phenomenal job at it) but she doesn’t dust.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cleaners may come alone but it is better when they come either as a duo or a team.
I prefer this since it means they will get the house cleaner quicker.

Some of them will play loud music while they clean which can be annoying if you have a baby who is napping during their shift.

Many will do a light, surface dusting of coffee tables and shelves but if you have a lot of stuff you should probably do all the dusting on your own.

+1
Most cleaners are very thorough in their work but they typically fall short in the dusting department.

They may surface dust areas mostly visible, but will not spend hours dusting numerous items and areas.
So if you employ a cleaning lady do so fully expecting that you will be doing most of the dusting in your home.

My mom’s cleaning lady does everything (AND does a phenomenal job at it) but she doesn’t dust.

That's odd. Dusting is always expected.

[Anonymous]

I would strongly advise to have your cleaning lady come to you as her first client of the day.

She will likely be more prompt and not burnt out the way she might if you book her for the end of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cleaners may come alone but it is better when they come either as a duo or a team.
I prefer this since it means they will get the house cleaner quicker.

Some of them will play loud music while they clean which can be annoying if you have a baby who is napping during their shift.

Many will do a light, surface dusting of coffee tables and shelves but if you have a lot of stuff you should probably do all the dusting on your own.

+1
Most cleaners are very thorough in their work but they typically fall short in the dusting department.

They may surface dust areas mostly visible, but will not spend hours dusting numerous items and areas.
So if you employ a cleaning lady do so fully expecting that you will be doing most of the dusting in your home.

My mom’s cleaning lady does everything (AND does a phenomenal job at it) but she doesn’t dust.

That's odd. Dusting is always expected.

I expect minimal dusting since I have a lot of stuff (books, artwork, etc.) inside my home. I also have a ton of shelving and books too.
I would just require dusting things regularly that are in my eyesight daily such as the ceiling fans, lamps, television screens and computers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cleaners may come alone but it is better when they come either as a duo or a team.
I prefer this since it means they will get the house cleaner quicker.

Some of them will play loud music while they clean which can be annoying if you have a baby who is napping during their shift.

Many will do a light, surface dusting of coffee tables and shelves but if you have a lot of stuff you should probably do all the dusting on your own.

+1
Most cleaners are very thorough in their work but they typically fall short in the dusting department.

They may surface dust areas mostly visible, but will not spend hours dusting numerous items and areas.
So if you employ a cleaning lady do so fully expecting that you will be doing most of the dusting in your home.

My mom’s cleaning lady does everything (AND does a phenomenal job at it) but she doesn’t dust.

That's not "everything" then.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is unfortunately normal is that they’ll soon start slacking off, will break something, will steal something, or all of the above. If they don’t, and it lasts months, then you can start offering them food and bonuses.

I’d hate to work for you. What a negative attitude. Cleaners don’t typically steal. It’s not normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is unfortunately normal is that they’ll soon start slacking off, will break something, will steal something, or all of the above. If they don’t, and it lasts months, then you can start offering them food and bonuses.

This is true. And even if it's not "breaking" they will scratch your fridge or cooktops, bang into your walls or floors, or damage finishes on things. It's part of the package.

Yes. And half my Miele attachments are missing. My guess is they get put in the apron/pocket and they forget, and then because of course each attachment isn’t labeled with my name, they have no idea which house or vac it goes to.

They use their own equipment and it's disgusting. They use your equipment and lose pieces. Can't win!

Do it yourself then. It’s good exercise for you desk workers and you can clean exactly as you wish.

[Anonymous]

Don’t cook meals. They’d rather have a generous tip and the holidays. We give our cleaning guy his bonus the week before Black Friday, so he can ship the deals. I overheard him training a new hire once, and he outlined the pay structure. It’s pretty low, so we tip more than what is “required”. It’s nice to learn their names and tidy before they clean, but nothing makes a bigger impact than money.

[Anonymous]

Even if you have someone come in to your home and clean on a weekly basis, you will still have daily cleaning upkeep that will need to be done.

That may include add’l vacuuming and mopping since floors get noticeably dirty quickly.
Also garbage cans need to be emptied, counters need to be wiped down and there is of course the neverending tasks of laundry and dishes.
Plus beds will need made and bathrooms wiped down as well.

Though having even a bi weekly housecleaning would take a lot off one’s chore list, there is still daily upkeep that must be done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t cook meals. They’d rather have a generous tip and the holidays. We give our cleaning guy his bonus the week before Black Friday, so he can ship the deals. I overheard him training a new hire once, and he outlined the pay structure. It’s pretty low, so we tip more than what is “required”. It’s nice to learn their names and tidy before they clean, but nothing makes a bigger impact than money.

Yes like in every single profession = Ca$h is King!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cleaners may come alone but it is better when they come either as a duo or a team.
I prefer this since it means they will get the house cleaner quicker.

Some of them will play loud music while they clean which can be annoying if you have a baby who is napping during their shift.

Many will do a light, surface dusting of coffee tables and shelves but if you have a lot of stuff you should probably do all the dusting on your own.

+1
Most cleaners are very thorough in their work but they typically fall short in the dusting department.

They may surface dust areas mostly visible, but will not spend hours dusting numerous items and areas.
So if you employ a cleaning lady do so fully expecting that you will be doing most of the dusting in your home.

My mom’s cleaning lady does everything (AND does a phenomenal job at it) but she doesn’t dust.

That's not "everything" then.....

I have a neighbor who is a cleaning lady and she told me that she may dust a small part of her client’s homes but simply does not have the time nor energy to dust the entire house!
Even for a thorough deep cleaning of the entire house.
Especially with bookshelves stacked full of books.
I don’t think people expect their cleaners to remove all those books, dust the shelves they are in then put all the books back in place!