Cleaning and tidying tasks for our hired cleaner

[valentine]

I think there's been some feedback over the past 1-2 years that the cleaner hasn't been performing up to standard, with the toilet not being cleaned regularly enough.

More recently, I've noticed that our (new) pantry sink and pantry windows have not been cleaned at all (!), and some members have observed that the cleaner only comes in to mop the floor. I've asked the cleaner to stop coming in for the month of March 2022 until we've resolved this issue. Considering our low space utilisation and standing safe distancing policies, it's not good use of our money.

It's probably best for us to re-evaluate the areas that we need professional help with, and then re-engage the cleaner after that.

We can use this Google Groups discussion as a starting point:

1. Vacuum all carpeted areas (WKLY)
2. Sweep and mop wooden floors (WKLY)
3. Wash the bathroom (WKLY)
4. Wipe any exposed table surfaces (WKLY)
5. Replace the chairs and tables in a standard configuration (WKLY)
6. Run dishwasher cycles for all used glassware, crockery and cutlery (WKLY)
7. Wipe the top of all banisters (MTHLY)
8. Wipe the front and clean the top of the fridge, wipe down inside surfaces (BI-MTHLY)
9. Clean windows and front door (maybe not until the frosting is installed and leftover glue removed) (WKLY)
10. Wipe the exposed surfaces of cupboards in the lab and in the pantry (WKLY)
11. Wash the sink in the pantry area (WKLY)
12. Wipe the exposed surfaces of shelves at the back of the zone (WKLY)

Also:

put away the excess chairs
take out the trash
reset the trash with a fresh bag
move excess chairs and table up from downstairs
refill the water in the fridge
reset the wine and water glasses at the bar
unload, reload and start the dishwasher if there are enough glasses
wipe clean the bar table and the lab tables
reset the cloth towels, taking soiled ones home to wash (this is billed separately)

[GIANTCRAB]

Following from yesterday's plenum

We need to have more feedback or gather a more extensive list of items to be cleaned. Please comment if you feel that there are things missing from this list. We may also need to micro-manage the cleaner once in a while (every 3 months?) to ensure that the standards are met.

[icedwater]

Since we don't really have carpets any more, nor banisters, I've poked around a bit at the list. I also sorted it by frequency.

Weekly tasks

1. Vacuum and mop floors
2. Wipe the exposed surfaces of shelves at the back of the zone
3. Wash the bathroom
4. Wipe any exposed table surfaces
5. Replace the chairs and tables in a standard configuration
6. Run dishwasher cycles for all used glassware, crockery and cutlery
7. Clean windows and front door (maybe not until the frosting is installed and leftover glue removed)
8. Wipe the exposed surfaces of cupboards in the lab and in the pantry
9. Wash the sink in the pantry area

Monthly tasks

10. Wipe the front and clean the top of the fridge (members should handle the inside, since we actually use it)

Also, what about the balcony?

[GIANTCRAB]

Some helpful information that could assist with this.

How much are the cleaners getting paid again? And how many hours are they supposed to clean for?

I've managed to do some of tasks in under an hour:

• Cleaning of toilets (10-15 minutes)
• Wiping of all desks, sofas, commonly touched areas like door and door handles (15 mins)
• Mopping the floor (25 mins)
• Changing trash bag / getting rid of trash (5 mins)

Based on the tasks icedwater has provided, I don't think it should take more than 2 hours.

[valentine]

How much are the cleaners getting paid again? And how many hours are they supposed to clean for?

She's charging us $60 per session. I believe there was some discussion when we reduced cleaning frequency from weekly to fortnightly that it was for 3 hours, but this could still be for 2 hours.

I think the list that @icedwater has curated works, and I would like it if the cleaner could vacuum the office chairs as well.

[valentine]

Discussion from 2022-05-24 plenum:

• Val: Duties more or less settled, but something may have been forgotten
• Can cross-check and update on GitHub by the end of the week (KH @icedwater, Joyce @geekyjoyce72, Val)
• Aim to call cleaner back next month