Our cleaning lady is a family friend of my in-laws. She does a good job, but she’s VERY hard on equipment. Anything I buy with a sponge or a brush is completely shot within two visits. (I’m talking about things I’d use for months or years before they needed to be replaced.)
We just retrofitted a high-end central vac in our new house, and after she used our powerhead just ONCE, it looks worse than my parents’ that’s been used for over 20 years! (I had assumed she’d use the same vacuum she brought with her to our old place.)
Because this is a family friend, I don’t want to offend her (or my in-laws), but I must insist on keeping my expensive belongings in good condition. I’m thinking of just leaving a note saying that I appreciate her hard work, but that central vacs have unique issues (which they do) that I’d rather not worry about when I’m not there, and asking her if she could please use another vacuum or leave the vacuuming for me.
PS – This lady has been cleaning for my husband & in-laws since before I met my husband. It’s a situation in which they know she needs the money, but she’s a proud person who insists on "earning her keep" as they say. (In other words, it’s not as simple as replacing her or just doing without a cleaning lady, which would be fine with me.)
Any tactful suggestions?
Oh, I love the "suffering" remark.
Like I said, I don’t even need a cleaning lady, and despite what you might think because my family "employs" one, I’m not made of money to just throw around. I’m seeking heartfelt advice on how to keep my stuff in good shape without offending someone. I don’t think that’s unreasonable. If you wanna be sarcastic with somebody, please do it elsewhere.
You could make it so it CAN’T be used. Take an hide the bag, if it has one. If it doesn’t, take out the container that holds the vacuumed stuff and hide that.
Anybody that puts this much effort into scrubbing your house is a doll. She’s worked for you for years, and is practically family. Consider you’ve already given her this new power head as a sort of sacrifice, and when you can afford it, buy yourself a new one that you keep hidden away, just for you. Powerheads aren’t that expensive, and this cleaning lady sounds like a keeper.
oh how you must be suffering , not ,
just have a chat with her and tell her what your problem is !!
just be honest but not mean about it
I have my own house cleaning business and have many clients I work for. I have come across this a few times and it doesn’t bother me in the least. Just leave her a note telling her that she is doing a great job. But, also tell her that you would prefer that she doesn’t use your vacuum. Be gentle as you don’t want to hurt her feelings.