I’m a cleaner and these are the clients I avoid
Ask any of my colleagues and they’ll tell you that the topic of home cleaners comes up A LOT in our office conversations.
It mostly consists of me complaining that I can’t find a good one, the insane cost, them getting “too relaxed” and not cleaning properly, and sometimes (though rarely) awkward encounters.
I’ve come to realize that people like to vent about their cleaners. But have we thought about all the things that they might have to say about us?
“These are the clients I avoid like the plague”
A recent TikTok does just this and I must say, I’m not sure I was ready for such an awakening about myself. As it turns out, I am (or have been) guilty of a lot of them.
Liv Bibb, a professional self-employed cleaner who shares her best tips and hacks on the social media platform, created a video highlighting all the “red flags” she often sees in potential clients.
These are the things that make her run for the hills quicker than you can say: “You missed a spot…”
Be ready…
1. People who hide stuff
Bibb says the ‘secret trick’ of hiding random items around the home as bait (for them to either take or miss cleaning) is something they’re completely across.
“People straight up hide cotton buds on the top of door frames,” she shares. But the cleaner says she not only doesn’t take the bait, she responds in her own sneaky way.
“Girls, I’ll do it back. Let’s play a game,” she jokes.
2. People that follow you around the house
Bibb says she detests having a micromanager, who follows her around the home to ensure she’s doing everything to their liking.
“Get out [of] my perimeter and let me do my thing. I’ll chase you with the hetty hoover pole,” she claims.
3. Clients that call you “the cleaner”
Straight up, it’s offensive.
“Would you like to see my birth certificate or are we going to establish some respect?” Bibb asks.
4. People who pay 4 days late
If you want a job done, expect to have to pay on time.
Having clients who pay four days late is a definite red flag for Bibb and someone she doesn’t want on her books.
5. People who complain they’ve “had so many cleaners!”
OK, this one I’m definitely guilty of!
Bibb says there’s a good reason why sometimes you find it impossible to find a “good”, “reliable” and “thorough” cleaner — and sometimes that reason comes from within yourself.
“I’ve had so many cleaners… yes I’m sensing why,” she mocks.
6. People who say they can clean their house quicker
Sure, you know your house (and expectations) best, but Bibb calls out anyone who claims they can clean a five-bedroom, four-bathroom house in two hours.
“On you go then, show me girl,” she laughs, before clarifying: “Minimum 45 mins per room, especially bathrooms. Deep cleans can literally take 8 hours.”
The video, tipping over 716K views, obviously hit a nerve for those who employ a home cleaner.
Most people defended the “trick” of hiding things to ensure their cleaner is being thorough, while others were genuinely confused about why they can’t call their cleaner “their cleaner.”
Are you guilty of any of them?
