Cleaners-My Goodness it is backbreaking.Are you a cleaner tell us your story-how you feel.

[Tawnyowl]

Cleaning Jobs.

Well old Tawnyowl decided due to one of my entrepreneurial adventures not moving fast enough yet to pay all the bills to do a little work in the evening.

Not in perfect fitness but can graft flat out for a few hours before tiredness creeps up.

So thought to myself i know you need work in the evenings or early morning,you will become a office cleaner owl,that is the answer to your problem.

So managed to find one,negotiations were held,prices set and went for it.

 

I work with another person in this adventure who is far more experienced than myself.

Has been a caravan cleaner on holiday parks,done deep cleaning,govt work,and massive stores.By themselves.

Female.

Now do not forget i have worked in construction,go to gym perhaps 5 days a week,just a little exercise that is all and used to hard work.Or thought i was.

 

So let us see what i do.

Windows,boardroom,hallway,3 toilets,male female,and disabled access toilets.

Big 30 metre office,empty baskets,clean desks,hoover.Mop floors.

Kitchen,clean fridge,micro,anything in there really,work surfaces,any washing up,clean sink,empty bins,mop floor.

Other office,20 metre square.Same procedure.

Make sure all cleaning materials are bought and correct for the purpose.

Now someone who does cleaning will understand what that entails

 

I tell you this,i come out of those offices aching from head to toe,can hardly walk never mind talk.

And after a short while and looking around i see that most cleaning jobs are paid minimum wage.

I feel cleaners are very underestimated for the work they do.Vital to a business.

 

Been in some places where you think,how quaint nice grey sinks only to find out they are white really.

Some places have not been done for months.Perhaps years on outsides.

Nice when people,and they do say ,hell what a difference you have made.

 

So any cleaners out there i now know what it entails and how hard you work for your money.

And maybe you then go home and clean there as well.

If you are a cleaner,anywhere let us know how you are doing,what you do, and how you feel about things.

If you have the strength to write.

[caro]

I have never done cleaning as a job but I know people who pay £11 an hour to have their house cleaned Tawny. One hour a week but the cleaner insisted on doing a 2 hour deep clean first in the already spotless house. Said cleaner tells them what cleaning products to buy.

 

The cleaner was recommended to them and now does half the street.

 

Maybe house cleaning would be more profitable, especially if you do a good job and build up a few to do.

 

Downside for the customers is the cleaner is soon off to Brazil for a 4 week holiday!!

[Tawnyowl]

Thanks for the reply Caro.Always nice to hear from you.

Forgot to put in reception area plus mirrors and recycle rubbish and put in correct bins.

The person i do cleaning with has done house cleaning but had a pretty bad experience.

Went to one in poor condition.Not been done for many a month.Or years even.

Nothing wrong with that, that is what you pay for,soon bring it up to scratch,deep clean as you say.

Then go perhaps once a week.Then what did the person say.It is ok now we do not need a cleaner anymore.Used.

Probably just a bad egg amongst the good ones.

 

Similar to myself,when short of money once i set up a window cleaning business.

Took some of the hardest jobs in the area.Dragged ladder up fire escapes,the lot.

Did one you could hardly see through,flaming hard job and high. Did the deal once every two weeks.Agreed.

2nd time it is ok,we will manage now.I did them and told them not to take the mickey.

Then ditched the job.Never the same once a customer tries it on.

Should have chosen Bungalows.Now they have the water fed poles.Luxury and safer as well.

Just watch out for washing lines etc in back gardens,ha,nearly choked myself a few times.

 

But now i am 60,still able but not as easy if you wanted one a job. Been self employed for nearly 40 years.Scraping along.

11 Pound a hour is a fine amount to earn,in my area anyway.Especially if you get a few houses in the same area.Reduces travel costs.

I will look into this over the next few weeks.And of course still keep the office side,maybe increase even.We will see.

Probably it is getting used to it,using different muscles,perhaps.It is non stop.

Do not get me wrong i have the key, no one around you could skip through,sit around but not the way i like to do things.

And you are trusted.As a bloke,nice to see the offices gleaming.

And the office workers who are leaving as we arrive are pleased as well.Which is nice to hear them say so.

Creates a warm feeling of satisfaction.

 

4 week holiday in Brazil,nice and hard earned.

[caro]

I think the trust is part of what you pay for. I know the cleaners where I work do a great job. It's a large converted 3 storey house with lots of stairs, and 2 cleaners have 2 hours.

 

Respect to them and to you tawny. I'm sure you do a great job and not one I'd like to do, especially as there are some messy so and so's around who don't consider that others have to clear up their mess.

[Tawnyowl]

Been thinking about things.I reckon with knowledge gained in business over the years i could expand,employ others in this field.

But deep down have other coals in the fire,if only they would ignite.May well do that in a strange way.

Work with Driftwood now.

Leave business to the youngsters out there.

Next ten years or more going to do what i want to do.Body seems to be slowing down a little,just a little.

Been on my feet for over 40 years.Gyms,martial arts,fighting,training,construction.

 

Just this cleaning business surprised me,wondered what people think out there.And what they do.

Sheer graft and for most low pay.

Should in my opinion be paid more,others not myself.

Business expense after all.Now i am asking the question how much do cleaning companies charge the client.

As cleaners seem to get paid very little for the work they do.Who is making plenty out of cleaning.

Trying to raise the profile of cleaners,they deserve that.

A happy lot,the ones i have met.

[Tawnyowl]

Last post for now.I know i go on a bit.

The offices i do,when i first came across them,they had not been used for a while.A couple of years or so.

They were strange colours,deep blue in places,light blue elsewhere.Cold looking.

Due to working in construction i said i will paint them,Go for it.

Unknown to myself a rapid move happened,all the workers,desks office equipment arrived, so i painted them while the workers were working.

Stealth painting i called it.Did not disturb one worker,and not one person got any paint on them.Offices,boardroom,kitchen,toilets the lot.

3 coats in places.

Enough for now,i will put a picture on next week.Just get your sunglasses on to protect you from the glare,ha.

Any cleaners around please come on in and tell us how it is for you.

Bye for now.

Tawnyowl.

[HSBCrusher]

My nearest and dearest earns £11 an hour for private cleaning.

Works for lovely people who seem to want a cleaner for a bit of regular company as much as anything.

It's hard work but it helps with the bills. And I'm most grateful to Mrs crusher for the extra cash we use to buy the essentials. Problem is how long it takes to earn but how quickly it vanishes in the shop.

[Tawnyowl]

Hi HSBCrusher

Thanks for posting.Sometimes i write things not knowing if anyone will reply.

I have heard that some people are lonely perhaps and like a cleaner to pop in every now and again,for a chat and a clean.

And yes i know the feeling how the money flies out on bills.Or vanishes in the shops.

 

But at least it keeps the wolves away.Cleaners certainly earn their money.I think 11.00 a hour is good money and from what i am reading so far seems about right.

Not saying what i earn it is a little embarrassing but i have to earn something.Put it that way.And is not for ever.

I am caught in a trap,a strange one.Do not earn,do not eat,simple as that.

When all is paid out,rent,council tax and the rest this job has to be done.

 

I saw you arrive again HSBCrusher,sounds like in the past perhaps you have had some dealings with the banks.

Like the Avator.

Anyway nice for you to post your story.

Bye for now Tawnyowl

[caro]

No need to be embarrassed Tawny. An honest days work is nothing to be embarrassed about whatever the pay and, as you say, you have to keep the wolves from the door.

 

I hope you're finding it a little easier now.

[Tawnyowl]

Well thanks for your supporting message Caro.

I was supposed to have tests done for my heart on the 8th,but stupid as i am did not read properly the two pages they sent me.

Right at the bottom on the last page was do not take a certain pill two days before.

Anyway i did,phoned them and rearranged appointment.We will see what will happen 31st March.

 

Some news,i sure have struggled this year,paying things.

I should have done this before,definitely April this year anyway.Really struggled to pay rent,council tax etc.

Applied for working tax and have just received it.Massive relief and a stress buster for sure.

This will help massively.

So i would say to anyone if you think you could qualify try.

Many places to see if you could qualify such as.

Tax credits calculator

http://taxcredits.hmrc.gov.uk/Qualify/DIQHousehold.aspx

[caro]

Don't you go overdoing it Tawny. Hope you're ok. x

[Tawnyowl]

Thanks caro

Things are a little easier now.After getting to grips with the first cleans it is not taking as long now,so wages are averaging out better.

I have now taken on some of the hoovering and have found a new workmate.

Henry he is called,about two feet tall,red with a long hose a nice smile and the strangest eyes i have seen.

We have a chat and for some reason he will not stop following me around.

Henry the hoover,my new mate.

[caro]

Always good to have a mate. Especially if he's a good listener!