The Most Annoying Things as a Cleaner (And How We Patiently Deal With Them)
The Love-Hate Relationship with Cleaning
Cleaning is not just a profession, it is a calling. For many of us, the joy comes from transforming chaos into calm, mess into sparkle, and dust into shine. There is pride in stepping back after hours of effort and seeing a room transformed. But here is the honest truth: even passionate cleaners encounter little frustrations that test our patience.
Today, I am sharing some of the most annoying things cleaners face regularly. These are the situations that make us laugh, roll our eyes, and sometimes even shake our heads. The good news? We still handle them with patience, humor, and a little extra elbow grease.
1. Walking on Freshly Mopped Floors 🚶♀️💦
Imagine this: You just finished mopping. The floor is gleaming, the mop lines are crisp, and for a few seconds, it looks like something out of a magazine. And then—step, step, step—someone walks right across it.
Why it is annoying:
Floors need time to dry. Walking on them right away leaves footprints and streaks.
It undoes the hard work we put in.
Sometimes people even slip and blame the cleaner for “making the floor too wet.”
How we handle it:
We politely remind people that the floor needs about 10 to 15 minutes to dry.
We place a towel or sign as a “Do Not Enter” marker.
And yes, sometimes we just sigh and re-mop.
Funny example: One time, I mopped a kitchen and within 30 seconds, the family dog strolled through with muddy paws. The client laughed, I re-mopped, and we both agreed: pets think they own the place.
2. The “Are You Done Yet?” Question ⏰
If you have ever hired a professional cleaner, you might be tempted to peek in and ask, “Are you done yet?” Or worse, “Why are you still here?”
Why it is annoying:
Cleaning is not just about wiping surfaces. A deep clean involves details like scrubbing baseboards, polishing fixtures, disinfecting hidden corners, and removing buildup that has been ignored for months.
Asking if we are “done yet” undermines the detail and care that goes into the job.
It also creates pressure, as if speed matters more than quality.
How we handle it:
We explain our process, so clients understand that thorough cleaning takes time.
We reassure them with updates: “I am finishing the kitchen now, then I will move to the living room.”
We keep smiling, because educating clients is part of the job.
Professional tip: Next time you hire a cleaner, instead of asking, “Are you done yet?” try saying, “It looks amazing so far, thank you for all the details you are covering.” Trust me, that will make their day.
3. The Last-Minute Deep-Cleaning Requests 🧽
This one happens all the time. You are halfway through a scheduled cleaning session, and the client says: “Oh, could you also deep-clean the oven? And maybe organize the garage?”
Why it is annoying:
Deep cleaning tasks are time-consuming. Scrubbing an oven, shampooing carpets, or cleaning blinds can add hours.
Many clients do not realize these tasks are outside the scope of a standard cleaning package.
When added last-minute, it puts cleaners in an awkward position.
How we handle it:
We politely explain what is included in the booked service.
We let them know we can add the task for an additional fee or schedule another session.
Sometimes, if it is a small extra task, we do it as a gesture of goodwill.
Professional boundaries matter: Good cleaners know how to balance kindness with fairness. We love helping, but our time and effort deserve to be respected too.
4. “It’s Not That Bad…” 😂
One of the funniest but also most frustrating phrases cleaners hear is: “It’s not that bad.”
Scenario: A client insists the house is “pretty clean already.” Then you walk into the kitchen and find grease from last Thanksgiving still clinging to the stovetop. Or you find dust colonies thriving behind furniture.
Why it is annoying:
It minimizes the work required to bring the space back to life.
It sets unrealistic expectations. Clients sometimes think the job will take an hour, when it actually takes three.
How we handle it:
We smile and get to work.
We let the results speak for themselves. When the client sees the before-and-after, they realize just how much cleaning was needed.
Funny truth: People tend to underestimate their own mess. What looks “not that bad” to them might look like a week-long cleaning project to us.
5. Why We Still Love It Anyway ✨
After all these little annoyances, you might think cleaners go home frustrated. The truth is, most of us would not trade this job for anything.
Why?
The satisfaction of transforming a space is priceless.
Seeing the joy and relief on a client’s face makes it worthwhile.
Cleaning is therapeutic for many of us—we love the order, the shine, and the calmness it brings.
Personal note: There is a special kind of magic in walking away from a spotless home, knowing you made life easier for someone. That is what makes all the footprints, sticky messes, and extra requests worth it.
Share Your Pet Peeves
Cleaning may come with its challenges, but it also comes with rewards that outweigh the frustrations. From last-minute requests to clients stepping on freshly mopped floors, we learn to laugh, adapt, and keep going.
Now I want to hear from you: What is your biggest cleaning pet peeve? Whether you are a professional cleaner or just someone who cleans at home, share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s see how many we have in common.
At Kairos Clean & Cozy, we understand the little challenges that come with cleaning—but we also know the joy of stepping back to see everything sparkling and fresh. Here’s to keeping homes cozy, clean, and stress-free, one space at a time.
Disclaimer: This blog is inspired by Cleaning Fairy Sharie. As professional cleaners ourselves, we relate deeply to these experiences and share them with respect for the cleaning community.
