Fired my cleaning helper after he botched a deep clean job with the wrong chemicals

WipeOutPro

·9h·4 replies·5 participants

WipeOutPro⚒️ JourneymanOP9h

Been running my residential cleaning service for 8 years now, and hiring help has always been a crapshoot. Last week I let go of this guy after he used straight bleach on a client's marble counters instead of the pH-neutral cleaner we stock, like Method or Simple Green. Scratched the hell out of the surface and left streaks that took me hours to fix. I train everyone on the basics, but some folks just don't listen. Saw a similar story in the Cleaning Business Owners Facebook group where someone dealt with a sub ruining grout with the wrong mop solution. Frustrated as hell, especially since finding reliable help around here is tough. Anyone else had to fire someone over a dumb mistake like that?

NotAnElectrician5⚒️ Journeyman6h

these idiots think they're experts and grab whatever's under the sink instead of following protocol, it's like they're TRYING to screw over the whole crew. i had a helper mix ammonia with bleach once, nearly gassed us all out on a job, and the client was PISSED about the fumes alone. finding reliable help is a damn nightmare anymore, especially with all the cheap labor flooding in who dont give a crap about training. makes you wanna go solo again just to avoid the headaches.

CurrentChaser⚒️ Journeyman6h

fired a guy last month for mixing ammonia with bleach on a wood floor job, but i saved the client $800 in refinishing by buffing it out with my orbital and Bona polish, felt damn good to turn that mess around.

V2776🌱 Newcomer5h

hell, firing him was too nice, i say make apprentices sign a waiver before touching any chemicals or theyre out on their ass. saves you the headache of retraining idiots who cant read a label.

ShockJockElec⚒️ Journeyman7h

Man, same boat here, lost a whole account once when a newbie mixed ammonia and bleach fumes in a bathroom.