Experiences of a Housekeeper: Weirdest and Disgusting Cleaning Tasks
As a housekeeper, one's duties can often involve confronting some of life's more unsavory moments. From guests who engage in inappropriate behavior to apartments with decades-old grime, each task demands a unique approach. Here, I will recount a few of the more bizarre and challenging cleaning experiences I've encountered during my tenure. These stories aim to shed light on the varied and sometimes uncomfortable realities faced by housekeepers.
Unsanitary and Disgusting Encounters
One of the strangest and most disgusting rooms I had to clean was from a tenant who woke up in the middle of the night and decided to relieve himself on a zigzag pattern from the bed to the toilet, which was also covered in his waste. This meal turned into an incident where the tenant claimed to have contracted salmonella from the food, despite the absence of illness in anyone else at the wedding. Needless to say, this made the cleaning process quite a daunting task. The toilet, in particular, was a source of significant revulsion due to the years of buildup and the resulting odor, which was almost unbearable.
Another memorable experience involved a client who had urinated in the bed, causing such a flood that the mattress and base had to be completely replaced. The sheer volume of the waste made the cleanup extremely difficult and time-consuming. Additionally, there was a case where a guest vomited in the sink, partially clogging it. In an attempt to clear it, the guest turned on the tap, causing the bathroom to flood with a mixture of water and vomit, necessitating the cleaning of soaked towels soaked in the puke. The sheer amount of vomit made the task almost unbearable, especially when cleaning with the limited towels and trowels available.
The smell of stale food in an apartment can be particularly unpleasant. Interestingly, when rooms have been serviced with food, the subsequent stale smell can be so strong that it almost induces nausea. I find this effect to be particularly noticeable, making it difficult to concentrate on other tasks. The lingering smell not only affects immediate cleaning but can also carry over to the next guest, impacting their stay and overall experience.
Personal Reflections and Personal Experiences
Not all of my experiences are solely centered on the bizarre and disgusting. In one case, I remember cleaning an apartment that belonged to a very close relative. They told me their mother had been their primary cleaner, and when she passed away, they felt a weight had been lifted. Yet, as the surviving member, they had to confront the aftermath of years of neglect and minimal maintenance. Before the relative could move back, I sanitized the apartment to ensure it was safe for habitation.
During this cleaning process, I found myself in a constant state of nausea. This wasn't from any visual or olfactory stimuli, but rather a physical reaction to the smell around the toilet. It was a cumulative effect of years of neglect, with layers of dead skin, soap scum, and urine residue creating a pungent and revolting environment. The buildup around the tub and sink was so thick it required several applications of a cleaning solution to remove even a hint of the previous layers. This cleaning stripped away the protective layer on the wood finish, leaving the furniture vulnerable and damaged.
The bedding was another issue. The sheets and blanket, having been worn and soiled for years, needed to be replaced. Unfortunately, the pillows, though smelling worse than the sheets, were too expensive to dispose of. The floors were stained with dirt and grime, giving them a grayish coloration. Despite not being a hoarder, the tenant had a habit of ignoring mess, allowing it to accumulate and become more challenging to remove over time.
Conclusion:
Housekeeping, while a rewarding profession, can take its toll. From tackling massive messes to confronting the daily byproducts of life, each task requires a mix of resilience, creativity, and a strong stomach. It is a job that demands a deep understanding of human habits and the ability to adapt to the unexpected.