Hey all. So, I’m currently on a housesit, the owner is lovely, the location is incredible. It’s one elderly cat who is also a sweetheart. It’s an older home on the water mostly used in the summer, and surrounded by lots of farms.
Homeowner uses a cleaning service, and in fact, they cleaned the house literally minutes before I arrived for this sit.
The home was generally clean on first glance, though I did notice early on that there were cobwebs in every corner that could easily have been vacuumed up. But meh, no biggie. However, a few days in I needed a baking pan, so I opened the bottom drawer under the oven. It was FILLED with crumbs and, unfortunately, mouse droppings. I sprayed some disinfectant on it and left it alone (A few years ago my elderly mother’s entire house and garage was infested with mice, and I am still traumatized from having to clean that up)!
I assume most cleaning people don’t do “deep cleanings” in areas like the stove drawer (or maybe that’s an add-on, not routine). The regular pantry and cubbards are clean, with no droppings.
Then today, I had to go in a bedroom closet to get a vacuum, when I discovered more mouse droppings in plain sight on several of the shelves. I sprayed it with Lysol. But now I’m wondering if I should mention this to the owner after this sit is done. My husband says it could be embarassing for them and I shouldn’t say anything. And don’t get me wrong–it’s not their fault, with an old house like this rodents can easily get in.
I don’t think it’s a new or current infestation based on the fact that there are no droppings currently in the pantry or cubbard but who knows. I”m torn. What would you do?
Thats easy, coming from an ex “professional “ housecleaner! Simply let them know via private note along with other chats you’re having along the way. It’s not usual for cleaners to clean closets or stoves, you’re right. But the cobwebs. I’d mention those in the same casual note, asking if their cleaners might have noticed, a sort of innocent and non critical tone… you can put both into it: “ I noticed mice droppings and cobwebs which your cleaners may not have seen… just fyi.” That way they can let the cleaners know. Not mean and probably useful information.
Yes professional cleaners will do the standard, typical cleaning only. No stoves, under-stove drawers (actually no drawers or cupboards at all), microwaves, refrigerators. Some will do this as a more expensive deep clean but they bring extra crew for those. They also won’t dust in high corners, ceiling fans, above high shelves/cabinets, etc.
Part of the reason we clean ourselves instead of hiring cleaners. They do the routine stuff that’s easy for us to do anyway, and the deep cleaning stuff - we just break those tasks up between my husband and I so they are done 3-4 times a year.
I would definitely mention it to the HO. It is an older house and they need to have rodent prevention / traps year round. Or another young cat who will get the mice
I would let it go. You don’t know the relationship between the cleaner and the home owner nor what friction a critique of this nature may trigger. As has been said many times in this forum “everyone’s idea of clean varies significantly”. I’m CLEANOCD and I would just clean as I go to make my wife and I more comfortable.
It might not be their fault but it is a condition that other sitters need to be aware of and that many would choose not to take the sit if they knew about. Certainly letting them know with photos what you saw would be appropriate.
If you don’t feel comfortable mentioning the mouse droppings in the review, then don’t. But please mention that while they had a cleaner come before the sit, you found the inside of some kitchen drawers were in need of a deeper cleaning and more attention, and you hope the homeowners will address this before the next sit.
This warns other sitters and puts the ball in the homeowner’s court without humiliating them.
I would not say anything about the cobwebs. They can notice those for themselves and discuss with the cleaning person if they choose.
I would tell them about the mouse droppings privately, only after the 14 day review period is over. The mouse droppings information is not meant to criticize the cleaner. It is just to make them aware, in case they are not aware.
As far as your rating for “clean,” you could give them 4 stars and state something like “the home was not as clean as I would have liked.”
You are the best person to balance all the issues and decide on the best messaging!
@Avamyst11 maybe phrase your concerns in the form of a question. For example -
Hi [homeowner’s name] I noticed some mice droppings in the cupboard and closets would you like for me to put out some mice traps?
Hopefully they will have some mice traps on hand you could put out in the meantime. Or this question will prompt them to offer suggestions to make your stay more comfortable.
It depends on the time left of your sit. In my opinion its best to be straight and upfront with issues like this. Do you expect the pet parent back within a few days? Then mention the droppings and showing the home owners when they return. ( I always make a list of things I need to mention for when home owners return). If still some time before the return, take pictures, send them, and in an accompanying message ask where to find a mice trap. I would also clean up immediately so you’ll, notice if the mice are still active in that part of the house when you check again a few times in the next few days.
I sprayed some disinfectant on it and left it alone (A few years ago my elderly mother’s entire house and garage was infested with mice, and I am still traumatized from having to clean that up)!