Lifestyle
My mom was a house cleaner for decades; here are 11 ‘polite’ habits your house cleaner secretly hates
I grew up with a mom who cleaned houses for a living during my early years. It was the well-meaning clients who seemed to irate her more than anything and I did not understand why. Even when you intend to be kind, some gestures or habits subtly make a housekeeper’s job harder, more awkward, or downright stressful. Below are 11 such habits, what they really cost in time/effort or comfort, and what you can do instead to make their work smoother and more appreciated.
1. “Helping” by pre-cleaning before they arrive
Why it frustrates them:
You might think wiping counters or mopping the floor ahead of time is helpful. But doing these tasks in a hurry — especially without properly drying surfaces or removing all debris — can make the job harder: grime can get smeared or pushed into finer crevices, streaks form, and the housekeeper may have to redo or correct your “help.” Sometimes that’s more time, more effort, and more frustration.
What to do instead:
Prioritize removing clutter — clear off surfaces, pick up clothes, put away toys. That helps more than half-cleaning.
Leave tasks like scrubbing, polishing, detailed work to the professional.
If you feel compelled to do something, tell the housekeeper what you did (which products, how long, etc.) so they can plan accordingly.
2. Talking (or socializing) while they’re working
Why it frustrates them:
Small talk interrupts flow. Cleaning is physical and methodical work; every interruption — a question, a long story, a check-in — breaks concentration, stalls momentum, and can extend the job significantly. Even polite chitchat can add up.
What to do instead:
Greet them warmly when they arrive; spend a few minutes catching up, then let them work.
If you like, agree beforehand: “I’ll try not to distract you — if you need anything, just let me know.”
Suggest background music or a quiet environment if both parties are okay with it.
3. Following them around or hovering
Why it frustrates them:
Having someone watch every move can feel mistrustful, make them self-conscious, and slow them down. It’s similar to the effect of micromanagement: instead of helping, hovering often adds pressure.
What to do instead:
Let them work independently once you’ve communicated your priorities or concerns.
If you have special requests, describe them in advance rather than checking up mid-job.
Trust that they know the trade.
4. Offering agency workers extra pay for extra work on the fly
Why it frustrates them:
While it seems generous, this can clash with agency policies. They may be formally bound by contracts that stipulate what work is included, how long the job should take, etc. Saying “you can do extra and I’ll pay you more” can put them in an awkward spot — saying no might feel rude, and accepting maybe exposes them to risks (e.g., exceeding time allotment and delaying their next client).
What to do instead:
If you want something extra (e.g. deep-cleaning, moving heavy furniture, carpet shampoo) let the cleaner or agency know beforehand.
Agree on the price and the time.
Put extra tasks into writing or schedule them separately so expectations are clear.
5. Giving vague instructions
Why it frustrates them:
“Clean the living room” could mean a quick dust & vacuum to you, but to them it might also include baseboards, blinds, ceiling fan, windows, etc. Without clarity, they might guess your expectations — leading to disappointment or misaligned results. It can also lead to rework.
What to do instead:
Be specific: which surfaces, what level of clean, if there are things you want untouched or extra attention.
Use checklists or written notes, especially for recurring jobs, so both of you are on the same page.
Ask if there are parts of the house that always need deeper cleaning and mark those expectations.
6. Moving items before they arrive
Why it frustrates them:
When decorative items, photos, knick-knacks are moved from their usual spots, the cleaner doesn’t know where to put them back. It leads to guessing (and sometimes breaking things), or time spent moving them back. Also, cleaning effectively often depends on knowing what “normal” placement is so they can reach surfaces, clean edges properly, etc.
What to do instead:
Leave things where they are.
If something must be moved or stored temporarily, explain where and why.
If you have fragile/decorative items, point them out and say how you prefer they’re handled.
7. Pre-soaking showers or tubs with bleach (or other harsh chemicals) without telling
Why it frustrates them / is dangerous:
Chemicals like bleach can react with other cleaning agents (ammonia, etc.), and leave dangerous residues or fumes. If parts of the surface are pre-treated you may be making their job harder — either they have to deal with the chemical aftermath or be cautious about what they use. It’s also a health and safety issue.
What to do instead:
If you do use strong cleaners, rinse thoroughly, ventilate the space, and tell your cleaner what chemical you used and where.
Better yet, leave chemical-heavy tasks to them (they usually have equipment and protective gear).
Agree on which cleaners are okay (especially if allergies are involved).
8. Leaving house keys with a neighbour or other indirect key arrangement
Why it frustrates them:
Key hand-offs via third parties often fail: neighbour not home, miscommunication, lost keys, delays. This can disrupt the cleaner’s schedule — late arrival, waiting, etc. It adds stress and sometimes implies lack of trust.
What to do instead:
Arrange for the key to be given directly (earlier in the day or during another mutual meeting).
Consider a secure, discreet hiding place known to both of you.
Use a digital or smart lock system with temporary digital keys if feasible.
9. Insisting that they use your cleaning products and tools without flexibility
Why it frustrates them:
They may be unfamiliar with your supplied tools or products, which slows them down. Having to hunt for them in your house, or discover that some tools aren’t in good repair, or that certain products are less effective or even damaging on particular surfaces, can all lead to inefficiency and frustration.
What to do instead:
Discuss what products/tools you prefer and why (e.g. smell, eco concerns, child-safe).
Ask the housekeeper what tools/products they usually like / what works best.
Let them decide whether to bring their own or use yours; maybe keep backup supplies of shared items.
10. Expecting perfection or unseen work (dust in corners, behind appliances) on every visit
Why it frustrates them:
Deep crevices, behind appliances, inside ducts etc. often require special equipment, more time, or are not included in regular cleanings. If every visit is expected to include everything, overrunning time or cutting corners becomes inevitable. Also, some areas accumulate dirt slowly and require periodic attention rather than constant. (This one is implied in many of the source articles.)
What to do instead:
Be realistic about what can be done in the allotted time.
Clearly define what “deep clean” means and how often you expect those deeper tasks.
Occasionally schedule a deeper cleaning separately so regular visits can focus on maintenance.
11. Leaving clutter or mess for them to deal with (laundry piles, dishes, trash overflow, etc.)
Why it frustrates them:
Clutter slows them down — they have to move items, sort through mess, maybe clean surfaces that are blocked, etc. Huge piles of laundry or dirty dishes also present hygienic or logistic issues. It increases workload without compensating time, and can push out the scheduled tasks. It transitions them from cleaner to organizer or even “maid-of-all-tasks,” which may not be in their job agreement.
What to do instead:
Before their scheduled visit, try to tidy common areas: clear surfaces, pick up trash, wash or rinse dishes. If there is clutter you cannot get to before their visit, advise ahead of time and see if decluttering could be added to their list of tasks.
Do the big laundry or dishes unless your contract explicitly includes them.
Provide clear bins/trash disposal so that they don’t have to hunt for things or constantly empty overflowing containers.
Why these little things matter
Efficiency: The fewer surprises or obstacles, the more work that can be done in the same amount of time.
Safety & Health: Chemicals, clutter, ill-placed furniture, unstable items—these can lead to accidents or exposures.
Respect: Demonstrating trust and clear communication shows you respect their professionalism, not just their willingness to do the dirty work.
Job Satisfaction: A cleaner who feels their time is respected, their autonomy acknowledged, and whose work proceeds smoothly is more likely to take pride, work well, and stay long-term.