Cleaning service -- remove shoes or not?

[Anonymous]

This is an off-shoot of the age-old shoes in the house or not issue. We generally don't wear shoes in the house, although if a guest comes in wearing shoes that's not a close family member and/or we're having a party we might let shoes slide by. We recently moved, and I've been trying to find a new cleaning service... my last cleaning service the owner (and her employees) removed her shoes from day one without any prompting, and it was never an issue. This time around, in the process of interviewing people and trying out one service so far, I've noticed that many cleaning services are reluctant to remove shoes and prefer to work with shoes on or at most shoe covers. Shoe covers are fine with me, although I guess I worry a little about someone slipping (is this being paranoid? I'm thinking very long-term since I hope to have a cleaning service long-term). I can understand people wanting to work with their shoes on, but I also think about 4-5 people at once coming through the house tracking in all the germs etc. from outside. *If you typically don't wear shoes in your house* do you ask your cleaning service to do the same?

[Anonymous]

I don't care what they do.

[Anonymous]

I think they should change shoes when they come in. But they should wear shoes. It's a liability issue. They easily could slip and fall down the stairs or slip while mopping.

[Anonymous]

Shoe covers are like walking on hardwood floors with socks but worse. Dangerous. They are hauling cleaning supplies, buckets, and vaccuum cleaners up and down steps in your house, and if they fall because you asked them to wear shoe covers, I would be afraid that would make you liable for their injuries. Physical labor requires good foot support. Barefoot/socks only would not give these very hard working women (always women) the support they need. I would let this go.

[Anonymous]

Everything 16:13 said. Besides, they're there to clean, negates the shoes off issue.

[Anonymous]

Germs are everywhere, both outside and inside every room of your immaculate house. The shoes a person wears are no more or less germy than your home. They are not bringing in something that wasn't already there. Take a breath and let the people who are on their feet all day have some arch supports while they sterilize your bathrooms to your specifications.

[Anonymous]

I think it's gross and selfish to expect someone to clean your bathroom barefoot! How can they mop etc with covers on? Try completely cleaning your own house barefoot or in shoe covers , OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they should change shoes when they come in. But they should wear shoes. It's a liability issue. They easily could slip and fall down the stairs or slip while mopping.

This is the OP. I think this is the ideal answer, although in reality I think it's too much to ask for the average cleaning service to have two sets of shoes on hand. I agree as I think about it and read these responses that shoe covers are a really bad idea.

[Anonymous]

Owner of cleaning company here.

We will wear shoe covers, in carpeted areas only. If not carpeted, we mop our way out rooms so the shoe thing is not an issue.

Asking them to bring an extra pair of shoes is asking too much. If it's a big deal to you, supply them and leave them at the door for them at every visit.

[Anonymous]

Get the cleaner some slippers. Problem solved. Some people need the support of a shoe on their foot. We don't wear shoes in the house much but I wouldn't expect someone else to take theirs off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shoe covers are like walking on hardwood floors with socks but worse. Dangerous. They are hauling cleaning supplies, buckets, and vaccuum cleaners up and down steps in your house, and if they fall because you asked them to wear shoe covers, I would be afraid that would make you liable for their injuries. Physical labor requires good foot support. Barefoot/socks only would not give these very hard working women (always women) the support they need. I would let this go.

This. Plus they need the protection if they drop something on their feet. You attitude is pretty selfish TBH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is an off-shoot of the age-old shoes in the house or not issue. We generally don't wear shoes in the house, although if a guest comes in wearing shoes that's not a close family member and/or we're having a party we might let shoes slide by. We recently moved, and I've been trying to find a new cleaning service... my last cleaning service the owner (and her employees) removed her shoes from day one without any prompting, and it was never an issue. This time around, in the process of interviewing people and trying out one service so far, I've noticed that many cleaning services are reluctant to remove shoes and prefer to work with shoes on or at most shoe covers. Shoe covers are fine with me, although I guess I worry a little about someone slipping (is this being paranoid? I'm thinking very long-term since I hope to have a cleaning service long-term). I can understand people wanting to work with their shoes on, but I also think about 4-5 people at once coming through the house tracking in all the germs etc. from outside. *If you typically don't wear shoes in your house* do you ask your cleaning service to do the same?

"Might let shoes slide by." How welcoming!

Ugh, what a control freak.

[Anonymous]

You are paying them. Tell them to remove shoes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are paying them. Tell them to remove shoes.

+ 1. They can choose to wear shoe covers that have grips at the bottom.

[Anonymous]

Mine keeps a pair of flip flops here. She wears them when she cleans. Nothing is going to drop on her feet.