Cleaning ladies can be like finding a good neuro-hard. My first team from a pro-company, spoke no English really, the head one sort of did, but badly for communication. During the 2 hours here, an irreplacable antique got broken and while offered a replacement cost, it really wasn't enough to get the same thing. Never had them again.

Went elsewhere, she moved. Had another but when she went independent, her work got bad. Very happy with team of 2 I have now. They are Americans, so no communication problems exist. Since I am here the whole time, this was a requirement - excellent English. They supply own cleaning products (green) but will always use if I want certain products used that I supply. Lysol TB cleaner in the bathroom, another product (spray).for counters. This MY house. (I tell myself) when I have to insist on anything. That helps me ask, insist on, but always nice and politely.

Oh my gosh!!!!

That should be a health code violation.....at the very least! I'd hate to see what she does in her own home if she'll do that in someone elses! I would sit on the toilet until she had cleaned everything else in the bathroom first!

I have a squeeky clean house!!! Yea!!!

It took the poor girl about six hours to clean the entire house (she was alone! ) but she did a fabulous job. She insisted that she liked to work alone.....and she spoke English very well. I think she was Romanian. Very nice lady.

When she was finished she wanted me to walk the house with her and point out anything that wasn't to my liking. There wasn't anything! She told me if I wanted her to clean my house again I had to tell them at the agency that I want her. I told her I would certainly do that. She will be back on April 3rd.

My house smells like cinnamon now and I don't want to fix anything for dinner 'cos I don't want to mess the kitchen up!!

Why am I so tired when someone else did all the work???

When we get our house cleaned (every two weeks as long as she doesnt call in sick on us) my dad comes home to a clean kitchen, and he doesnt want to cook (we'd die of starvation if my mom or I were to do the cooking) so a lot of times, we end up going out to eat, or we go get takeout and bring it home.

I actually miss having Merry Maids clean our house. I cant stand the flowery cleaning solutions, but whatever they used that always smelled like cinnamon, or apples and cinnamon, I miss that. Love the smell of cinnamon.

The cleaning lady we have now doesnt know what MM's uses that smells like cinnamon. I wish she'd remember to not use the perfumy-flowery cleaning products. She likes to "try" new things and always has this disappointed look when I tell her that whatever she's trying is setting off my scent allergies. (I dont like sneezing and itching my way thru the house for days until the scent wanders off)

She finally went and bought the "green" cleaning supplies that arent scented.


Dont you just love the way a freshly cleaned house feels??? The first few years we had that, I always felt like I was living in a hotel on cleaning days.

You're right.......I either have to lower my standards or hold them to what they promised they would do. I'm a stickler for a clean house so, since I am paying them to clean, I'm gonna make them do it right!

Last Friday the same girl came back (I had requested her) and she brought a "helper". This other girl cleaned the kitchen but did not do a good job. Never moved the microwave to clean under or behind it. Did not remove the burner covers to clean the top of the stove. Did not sweep out the pantry floor. Nothing earth shattering but if I'm gonna pay to have it done then I expect the basic cleaning to be done.

I called the agency and they said they would send them back out to reclean. I said I only wanted the one girl that I originally asked for to come back. She's coming today (this afternoon). I sort of felt bad but then again it's not like they are doing this for free. They had no problem taking my money. If next Friday's cleaning isn't done to my satisfaction I will just tell them I'll find someone else. It's really too bad because the first time she came alone she did a great job. Maybe I should just ask for her to come by herself next time.

Kitty, that's what I would do. Either that, or find another service. Or, maybe hire an individual who cleans homes.

You're paying good money, and you should get a clean house out of it.

Would you feel obligated against entering into a private agreement with the one you like? I'm sure she has been given the moonlighting lecture, but what she does with her free time is her business.

Agencies have so much leeway, you never know what you can expect, and you're dang skippy, they need to get back and do it right.

Have you made a list of the specific things you want done every time?

Yeah, I made a list and read it off to the girl I spoke to on the phone. I've still got it so I can go over it with "Halida".

I thought about asking her to just clean "off the record" for me but I'm not too sure she'd go for that. I know she needs her job and doesn't want to jeopardize that. Plus, I don't feel like I know her well enough......the agency is bonded and insured so if anything happens (injury or theft) they are liable. She did a really good job when she cleaned by herself so I'm hoping that next time she comes alone and takes her time like she did before.

I hate complaining but I hate parting with good money for bad service even more!!

Exactly. The bonding usually isn't something that an employee of a cleaning service has on their own. Only covers them while working for the service.

We have hired plenty of them to clean the gym.

I will say, it's hard to get them to clean as good as they did to get the job, but insist on it.

Make sure you also put any complaint in writing and mail it to them. Cover your rear.

Most of these companies have no compete agreements.( those laws vary from state to state to state. I had to fight one here in Texas against a gym I worked for) If she got caught, she could owe them.

You know, the girl who came out to look at my house and give me a quote was so nice.....the day she came out. When I called about this second cleaning I sort of noticed a "tone" in her voice when she realized I was calling to complain. And I was really nice about it, too!!! I told her that I really liked Halida and thought it was the other girl who slacked on the job.

She was sort of wishy-washy about offering me a partial refund.....I guess they have to offer that if you don't want them to reclean. I didn't ask for a refund. I really just wanted them to do it right the first time.

I explained to her that there are just some things I cannot do due to my condition. I definitely noticed a different attitude when I called back...but that doesn't really surprise me. I've become quite synical in my old age!