Cleaners don’t get the respect they deserve, yet their experiences hold valuable lessons.
Pet Messes
When I started, I thought I had to clean everything, but now I make it clear upfront that I don’t clean up after pets. One client had two cats sharing a single litter box—which was already too small—and it was piled high with waste because he never cleaned it. When the litter started smelling strongly of ammonia, I told him I wouldn’t continue—it’s actually animal neglect. Another family’s dog constantly made messes because they didn’t walk it enough. Cleaning up took twice as long since I had to pick up waste and scrub urine off furniture and carpets, and they didn’t want to pay extra. Now I set boundaries: pets are the owner’s responsibility to clean after.
Not Practical
Since working as a cleaner, I’ve removed carpet from the bedroom floors and taken down the blinds from the windows. Both trap dust and need daily cleaning.
Safety
I never clean at home without gloves anymore—to protect my skin—and I avoid harsh, strong-smelling cleaners because breathing in chemicals isn’t healthy. These days, you can find equally effective, pleasant-smelling, natural products that are also eco-friendly.
Grout
Small tiles and mosaics look trendy and beautiful, but all that grout is a bacteria hotspot that’s tough to clean. When I renovated my bathroom, I chose the largest tiles and floor slabs possible.
Payment Upfront
I had to learn the hard way to always ask for payment upfront. It was shocking and frustrating the first time I cleaned a well-off family’s house for half a day only to be told they could pay next week. Since then, I never start without payment in advance.
Dishes
Doing the dishes is not part of cleaning, period. One new client—a bachelor—let dirty dishes pile up all week, hoping I’d wash them. Plates and glasses covered every surface, and flies literally swarmed around the stinky sink. He was disappointed when I told him scraping off dried, spoiled food wasn’t my job.
Clients at Home
I don’t clean while the owner is home. Not because I’m secretive—I don’t mind if they watch me on camera—but because they just get in the way and slow me down. Having to chat also holds me up. If someone works from home, they can stay, but they should stay put so I don’t have to dodge them or worry about them walking on freshly mopped floors.
I Prefer Hotels
I’ve cleaned Airbnbs where cleanliness was questionable. Owners order just a “basic clean,” but if you look closely, there’s mold under the sink, upholstery on sofas and chairs hasn’t been cleaned in years, bathroom vents are disgusting, and curtains and rugs need washing. I never stay in private rentals—I’d rather pay more for a hotel.
Prejudice
I no longer think people clean because they couldn’t continue their education. I was a teacher for years before switching to cleaning because I enjoy it, it’s more flexible, and pays better. Today, I run my own cleaning company with several degree-holding employees.
Getting Played
I don’t let clients take advantage of me anymore—like the time I traveled to the suburbs for a new client who lived in a tiny 25 m² (270 sq ft) studio and then told me he’d only pay half because the apartment was small.
