Missing Items - Ask Cleaning lady?

[yourmother]

Boring post of the day.

We have a cleaning lady that comes to clean our house every 4-5 weeks.  She and her crew do a spectacular cleaning job and charge a great price. BUT, I've had to come to terms that having this lady clean my house, comes with some problems.  Stuff gets broken, stuff is misplaced, etc.  I've accepted that as part of the cost of doing business with her.

Now, I'm dealing with a whole different ball of wax. I now have missing things like three forks, Clorox spray and some cheap Tupperware. I can live without the Clorox and Tupperware...the missing forks are what's bugging me the most. I've looked everywhere possible for the forks, ask my DH if he took them to work. The only thing I can think of is that the cleaning lady took them (by accident or on purpose). I'm not talking about fancy silverware, just your standard everyday silverware from Mikasa (I think).

I won't see the cleaning lady for another 3-4 weeks. Should I call her up and ask? Wait until I see her next to ask? I don't want to come across as accusatory and I don't want to lose her, just need to figure out the missing fork situation. 

[livinitup]

Why do you think she took them? Other than access.

[justkly]

WHAT? She stole your forks. Yeah, I bet that was her. You better call the POlice.

[joenali]

So she's not that great?

[kcr1972]

[Dezi]

Honestly, this post doesn't make her sound like a great cleaning lady.

[circa1978]

Do you have a child? Because we don't have a cleaning lady but since having a toddler, we actually had to go buy a new set of flatware. He LOVES to throw things away when we aren't looking.

If not, I see nothing wrong with asking her but the resale on three random stainless steel forks is like 50 cents. Not really worth risking her business over.

[Deleted]

I wish I had the type of flatware where I noticed if 3 pieces went missing. FWP, amirite?

But seriously. How is this hard? Call her and ask. And start looking for a more reputable cleaning person.

[yourmother]

I love these responses! Making me chuckle!

I don't have kids or pets and no one has access to the inside if my house. Missing forks (so random!) is bugging me. Maybe she has a collection of silverware from all of her clients? Lol.

I can't quit her just yet. I've hired from three other cleaning companies and none of them clean as thoroughly as she does. Plus, they charge a lot more than her rates.

I'll just wait to ask her in person next time she comes.

[sawyerthedestroyer]

Our silverware drawer has gradually gotten lighter and I swear it's H taking them to work. He denies it, but I guarantee he has a drawer full of silverware that he keeps meaning to bring home.

[RoxMonster]

I don't think I'd be upset about (or notice)3 forks missing, personally. However, it sounds like the bigger issue is that that are some trust issues with your house keeper, that you've had some other stuff disappearing and you feel like it is her. Honestly if you suspect her of taking items, breaking items, misplacing things regularly, etc., I don't think she sounds super amazing. You could probably find another house keeper who does just as thorough a job of cleaning but without the other issues that bother you.

[Deleted]

We were down to 1 teaspoon before we realized our flatware was going missing. It was just MH and I at that time, no kids or cleaning lady. I honestly would not hassle the cleaning lady over 3 forks.

[flutterfly]

I would not ask her about three missing forks and some Tupperware, no. You keep a pretty good inventory on your silverware.

[cville]

I thought this was an ask a cleaning lady post and I was all excited to learn if they look for everyone's vibrators.

[Deleted]

Is your h leaving them at work? Does he take lunches?

[MixedBerryJam]

Mar 1, 2014 17:52:22 GMT -5 yourmother said:

I love these responses! Making me chuckle!

I don't have kids or pets and no one has access to the inside if my house. Missing forks (so random!) is bugging me. Maybe she has a collection of silverware from all of her clients? Lol.

I can't quit her just yet. I've hired from three other cleaning companies and none of them clean as thoroughly as she does. Plus, they charge a lot more than her rates.

I'll just wait to ask her in person next time she comes.

I can't imagine how that conversation is going to go: Remember when you were here a month ago? Did you see my three forks? I get that the randomness of three missing forks upsets the balance, but I think I'd either assume they were discarded by mistake and let it go, or I'd assume she stole them, in which case she's going to say she has no idea about the three forks anyway, and let her go. Are the three forks the only things missing? I really vote tossed in the rubbish by mistake. 

[Deleted]

I just don't see why someone would steal forks.

[speckledfrog]

I don't think the cleaning lady stole your forks. I bet they just got misplaced. We misplace stuff all the time and I know it's us because I have no one else to blame. If you really think she's stealing your stuff then just get a new cleaning lady.

[SKP82]

Since you want to keep her and it seems she likes to collect inexpensive flatware, buy some junk from the Dollar Store and replace your Mikasa stuff with that when she cleans. This way she can steal the crap and you still get a clean house. Win/win.

[yourmother]

Ok, ok, I'll let this go for now. I'll just install spy cams in my house before her next visit. I'm kidding! ....kinda

[Booze Raccoon]

[bonquiqui]

[flex]

Maybe the dishwasher ate the forks? You know like when the washing machine eats your socks.

[karmasabiotch]

Are you expecting her to admit to stealing the forks? I would like her to come back to your house 2 more times so she can at least have the matching spoons and knives.

[Deleted]

My MIL once hired a cleaning lady she met at subway. She later found out the cleaning lady stole all sorts of expensive things like coats, $$$ watches, etc.

MORAL OF THE STORY: don't find a cleaning lady at a sandwich establishment.

[karmasabiotch]

Mar 1, 2014 20:01:54 GMT -5 @amoosed said:

My MIL once hired a cleaning lady she met at subway. She later found out the cleaning lady stole all sorts of expensive things like coats, $$$ watches, etc.

MORAL OF THE STORY: don't find a cleaning lady at a sandwich establishment.

I feel like the kind of sandwich she had ordered could be relevant to the story, or that I'm hungry.

[thumper55]

Forks are inexpensive . If she is a normal person, she is not going to risk business to collect forks

My cleaning lady has also broken some stuff and caused damage. It happens, and it sucks. But I'd rather have her than not have her because I think she's honest and I don't want to take a chance with a new person.

Have you had other people in your house likes friends or relatives? When my relatives come,  stuff gets put away in the wrong places. 

[Deleted]

Mar 1, 2014 20:07:07 GMT -5 karmasabiotch said:

Mar 1, 2014 20:01:54 GMT -5 @amoosed said:

My MIL once hired a cleaning lady she met at subway. She later found out the cleaning lady stole all sorts of expensive things like coats, $$$ watches, etc.

MORAL OF THE STORY: don't find a cleaning lady at a sandwich establishment.

I feel like the kind of sandwich she had ordered could be relevant to the story, or that I'm hungry.

Sadly, it wouldn't have been for her since she can't eat gluten.

[iamgrace]

Pre kids I kept getting drunk on Friday nights and throwing out our forks with our take out containers. Haha. We were down several before I clued in.

[SKP82]

I just took a flatware inventory. I am good there, but I am missing 2 glasses. I broke one. Maybe the cleaning lady I hire once in a blue moon stole the other one?

Update: it was in the dishwasher. Close call.