If you have ever attempted a deep clean of your home, you understand that housecleaning requires specialized knowledge, attention to detail, and physical strength to tackle high or difficult areas. Yet this profession often lacks the respect it deserves. Many domestic workers in the United States, including housecleaners, are paid informally without federal anti-discrimination or health and safety protections. On TikTok, cleaners are sharing misconceptions and boundaries using hashtags like #thingsiwontdo and #housecleaner. To separate fact from fiction, we gathered videos and consulted experts about what they refuse to do after years of experience.
1. Expect Cleaners to Handle Dishes or Pet Waste
Amber Elise, owner of Bubbles and Buckets in Otsego, Minnesota, says: "Cleaning litter boxes or cleaning up after pets who have accidents is something I cannot do. I have walked away from situations where I am constantly stepping in urine. Feces or anything like that is off-limits. It is not super common, but people sometimes expect it. I tell them, 'That is your pet, your baby. I will leave that to you, then take care of everything else.' Dishes are another issue. I do not mind occasional dishes, but some clients leave a huge pile expecting me to do them. That is time-consuming and not typical for housecleaning; it is more like housekeeping."
2. Hover While the Cleaner Works
Sara San Angelo, The Cleaning Lady in Charleston, South Carolina, explains: "I would not stay at home while they clean. Many clients think they need to help, which is frustrating. Housecleaners do not need your help. You hire us for a service, so let us do our jobs. We clean two or three houses a day on a tight schedule. Clients who want to help slow us down. I cannot clean the kitchen while you rearrange Tupperware. I understand trust issues; if you cannot leave, seclude yourself in one room. Once trust is built, give us a key. The best jobs are when no one is home, so I can work quickly with my music."
3. Keep the Thermostat High
Housecleaner Sharel Moore posted a TikTok asking clients to lower the thermostat for cleaners, saying "We are HOT!" A critic replied, "Their house, their temperature choice. You do not have to work there." Moore responded, "Being my own boss, I choose to work for people who treat me like a human, not just hired help."
4. Befriend a Client
Ileana Cabrera, a Los Angeles-based housecleaner, says: "The main thing I would not do is cross the line from treating a client like friends or family. I have had bad experiences. When they treat me like family, they feel entitled to benefits, and my work is no longer valued the same. Respect disappears, leading to endless requests beyond the agreed list. This can happen in many jobs, but especially in housecleaning because it is personal."
5. Have Blinds and Carpeted Stairs
Lisa Sosa of Clean Happy Company posted on TikTok: "I will not have blinds in my future home. They collect dust and are a pain to wipe. I would choose Roman shades or no blinds, just good curtains. Carpeted stairs are another no-no because they are a pain to clean."
6. Use Chemical or Strongly Scented Cleaners
Gail, a New York City housecleaner and member of We Dream in Black, says: "I will not use strongly scented cleaning products, even if marketed as natural, because they give me headaches for two or three days." Sara San Angelo adds: "After years of cleaning, I do not use chemical cleaners in my own home. Many clients insist on toxic cleaners. I am concerned about breathing them in and absorbing them through my skin. I now wear gloves and ensure ventilation. At home, I make my own cleaners with vinegar, baking soda, and a little Dawn detergent. You do not need harsh chemicals."
7. Stay at Privately Owned Vacation Rentals
Tiffany Williams, a Granger, Indiana-based housecleaner, said on TikTok: "I will not stay at a privately owned vacation rental like Airbnb. Over 16 years, I have seen neglected Airbnbs with mold, coated ceiling fans, barely functioning vent fans, gross walls, and boogers on bed skirts. I would never stay at a vacation rental."
8. Have Grout with Small Tiles in Kitchen Backsplash
Alyssa, a housecleaner in Oakland, California, and Macomb County, Michigan, says: "After working as a housecleaner, I would not have many small tiles with a lot of grout in my kitchen backsplash. Grout is annoying, requires maintenance, and in the kitchen it gets buildup and grease. I would opt for a slab with no grout, matching the countertops."
9. Accept Unfair Pay
Gail states: "I will not accept a job without agreeing on a minimum of five hours per cleaning and a clear agreement of the client's needs to quote a fair hourly rate. I will not work for less than $25 per hour."
10. Get Paid Later Instead of Upfront
Amber Elise says: "I have had people say, 'I get paid on Friday, so I will pay you on Friday.' That is not how it works. Have payment ready when the cleaner arrives. It baffles me because I would not tell a cleaner, 'I will pay you in two weeks.' That is not how it works, especially when you are self-employed and need that money for bills."
11. Assume Cleaners Have No Other Choice
Ileana Cabrera concludes: "If I ever hire a housecleaner, I would treat them with utmost respect and never assume they do not speak English or lack education. I have a Bachelor of Science in applied mathematics and speak perfect English. If I clean houses, it is my choice. I earn more than I ever did in an office job, with the flexibility my family needs." Some answers were edited for clarity and length.
