'I'm a professional cleaner - clients can't believe one of my biggest frustrations'

Emily, who lives in North Yorkshire, has been cleaning professionally for more than 15 years and over that time has developed a number of pet peeves

A professional cleaner has opened up about the pet peeve that often leaves her clients gobsmacked.

North Yorkshire-based Emily has spent over a decade and a half ensuring people's homes are spick and span. Yet, she has developed particular irritations during her home visits over the years.

One confession she's shared is bound to raise eyebrows - she's not a fan of visiting homes that are already "too clean".

Chatting with The i newspaper, she revealed: "I really enjoy my job and when a client cleans up before I come, it takes all the fun out of it! I'm just wiping clean surfaces. I mumble to myself about how ridiculous I am for being annoyed at them for wasting money when they do it themselves anyway."

The topic of finances is another sore point for Emily, especially when clients balk at prices. Despite providing her materials, covering petrol costs, and needing to earn a fair wage, some clients find her £18 hourly rate surprising.

She justifies it by detailing the additional responsibilities cleaners handle, from accounting to marketing, alongside keeping abreast of industry changes.

She further justifies her price point by noting: "Anything I earn, I have to pay tax and National Insurance from that. Some clients may be shocked when I give them a quote of £18 an hour, but I am insured, bring all my own equipment, have glowing references and have undergone a criminal records check."

Emily also disclosed that she adamantly refuses to work if animals are present, detailing that her terms specifically state this in contracts with clients, due to problematic past encounters where dogs have lunged at her vacuum cleaner and cats have tried to attack her.

She shared her top grievances after YouGov unveiled data showing that, despite the surging cost of living, 17 percent of UK homes have paid for a cleaning service in 2023. The cleaning sector is acclaimed for contributing approximately £8bn to the UK economy.

Yet, despite the rise of "cleanfluencers" who've amassed fortunes, many cleaners continue to face financial hardship. According to the Low Pay Commission, about 54 percent of cleaning positions pay at or just above the national minimum wage.

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