How do I deal with my cleaning lady?

Sorry this is long...

I had the most wonderful, amazing, sweetest cleaning lady who had to go back to her home country and I was heartbroken. I went two years doing the cleaning myself and then found another lady a few months ago. She was great the first time she came and since then she has been getting less and less attentive to getting the job done.

She just cleaned two days ago and last night I noticed my bedside table was only partially dusted. She doesn't vacuum all the way in to the wall and I have very furry cats, so the other night I saw a big line of fur all along the edge of the carpet. She just isn't as thorough as the other lady and I admit I was really spoiled the first time but I am paying slightly more now for worse results.

How do I get her to improve? I feel she doesn't spend very long cleaning either (only 2.5 hours on a 3 bed/2 bath house). Her English isn't great and when I try to explain some things
she doesn't fully understand. I never get to see her so it is always on the phone or in a note. I don't want to come across as bossy, but I want to change things or it will bother me so much that I will just let her go.

Re: How do I deal with my cleaning lady?

Is it possible for you to meet with her when she comes to your house? You can spend like 1/2 hour with her showing her what she's missing. This was happening to me and notes/phonecalls weren't doing the trick. One morning when she came to my house I met with her and actually showed her what she wasn't doing and I've seen a BIG improvement! HTH! Good Luck!

Re: How do I deal with my cleaning lady?

Posted by Melimaup

Is it possible for you to meet with her when she comes to your house? You can spend like 1/2 hour with her showing her what she's missing. This was happening to me and notes/phonecalls weren't doing the trick. One morning when she came to my house I met with her and actually showed her what she wasn't doing and I've seen a BIG improvement! HTH! Good Luck!

Re: How do I deal with my cleaning lady?

Posted by ODonnell

Posted by Melimaup

Is it possible for you to meet with her when she comes to your house? You can spend like 1/2 hour with her showing her what she's missing. This was happening to me and notes/phonecalls weren't doing the trick. One morning when she came to my house I met with her and actually showed her what she wasn't doing and I've seen a BIG improvement! HTH! Good Luck!

I actually tried to do that two weeks ago when I was home after surgery, but I couldn't move around too well and she was worse this week! Otherwise, I really can't. I work in the city and am out of the house 7 - 7

Re: How do I deal with my cleaning lady?

I don't think you should have to tell her how to do her job. Vacuuming and dusting all the way is not something that is a preferance. That is her job.

Find someone else and claim you can't afford her.

Re: How do I deal with my cleaning lady?

Thanks, Ladies. I did want to give her more of a chance before letting her go, but I guess you are right.

Melimaup: I didn't get her as a recommendation. She actually left flyers on the cars at the railroad, but I did get references from other clients. I'm in Islip, if you can recommend someone. Thanks.