To prepare for a house cleaner, you should focus on tidying up clutter but not on deep cleaning. This preparation lets professionals focus on deep cleaning so you get the most value from the service.
Hiring a professional house cleaning service is an exciting step toward reclaiming your time and enjoying a consistently sparkling home. However, it often comes with a mix of anticipation and a touch of anxiety. This guide is your complete roadmap on how to prepare for a house cleaner, ensuring a successful and stress-free experience and the very clean results you deserve.
Before They Arrive: Your 5-Step Pre-Cleaning Ritual
A small investment of time before your appointment pays huge dividends in the quality of the cleaning you receive. These five steps are designed to be quick and easy, ensuring your cleaning professional can work their magic efficiently and effectively here.
Should you clean before a cleaner comes?
No, you should not deep clean before your cleaner arrives, but you should absolutely tidy up any clutter.
Tidying involves putting away personal items, while cleaning is the scrubbing and sanitizing that you hire a professional to handle. There are many effective decluttering methods you can use to make this process fast and easy.
A cluttered surface simply cannot be properly cleaned, and areas covered in items may be skipped over entirely.
By taking just 15 minutes to tidy, you clear the way for your cleaner to focus on the tough stuff, like tackling soap scum or dusting baseboards. While they handle the deep clean, you can learn more about maintenance with our guide on how to clean walls.
Actionable Tidy-Up Checklist:
- Floors: Pick up clothes, shoes, and toys so your cleaner has unobstructed access for vacuuming and mopping. This also removes potential tripping hazards for the cleaning team.
- Surfaces: Clear off kitchen countertops, coffee tables, and desks of mail, papers, and other items. This allows for proper wiping and disinfecting of the entire surface area.
- Kitchen Sink: Ensure your sink is empty of dirty dishes, which allows the cleaner to properly scrub the basin and fixtures. This quick tidy-up is the perfect precursor to a more thorough deep clean; for a room-by-room guide, see our spring cleaning checklist.
How to Communicate Your Priorities for a Personalized Clean
Create a simple “game plan” to ensure your expectations are met and to help the team deliver a service tailored to your needs.
For a first-time clean, a short, prioritized list is the best way to guide the cleaner’s attention to what matters most to you. Consider what your biggest frustrations are and clearly identify these “pain points” so your cleaner can tackle your top priorities first.
It’s equally important to point out any “don’t touch” zones, like a home office or a shelf with fragile heirlooms, to prevent accidents.
What is the Best Way to Handle Home Access?
Plan for smooth and secure access to your home by discussing the best method with your cleaning company beforehand. Common options include leaving a key in a lockbox, providing a garage or door code, or using a smart lock system.
For enhanced security, you can create a unique, temporary access code just for the cleaning service. These methods align with best practices for keeping your home secure when service professionals are on site.
Also, be sure to provide clear instructions for parking and make sure hallways are clear of blockages.
How to Secure Pets and Valuables
Make special arrangements for pets and valuable items to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone involved.
Even friendly pets can become stressed by the noise and activity of cleaning. It’s always best to secure them in a comfortable space, like a separate room or a crate. Following expert guidelines ensures the experience is stress-free for your furry family members.
Securing valuables is a standard best practice that prevents accidents and provides peace of mind for both you and the cleaning team.
What About Supplies and Room Temperature?
Explain the plan for supplies and set a comfortable temperature in your home before the cleaner arrives.
Most professional cleaning companies bring their own high-quality products, but it’s always good to confirm. If you prefer a specific product for a certain surface, leave it out with a clear note.
Cleaning is a physically demanding job, and setting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature is a small gesture that is greatly appreciated.
With your home perfectly prepped, the next step is knowing the simple etiquette for the day of the visit.
What to Do While Your Cleaner is Working
How you interact with the cleaner on the day of the visit can contribute to a smooth and efficient service. This is especially true for clients who work from home and may be unsure about the proper etiquette.
What if I’m Home During the Visit?
Give the cleaner a brief initial tour, then provide them with space to work their magic. Staying in a separate area of the house allows them to follow their systematic process without interruption. This is an active way you can contribute to a better, faster, cleaner.
What if I’m Away During the Visit?
You can relax and enjoy your day with confidence. You have hired vetted and trusted professionals to care for your home with respect and care.
Once the cleaning is complete and your home is sparkling, a few final actions can turn a great one-time service into a perfect long-term partnership.
After the Clean: Building a Great Partnership
The service doesn’t end when the cleaner leaves. Your actions after the visit are key to refining the service and building a strong, lasting relationship with your cleaning company.
Should I Provide Feedback?
Yes, feedback is a gift that helps the company understand your preferences and improve the service it provides.
If you notice something was missed, contact the company politely and promptly so they can correct it. Positive feedback is just as important, and leaving a great online review is a powerful way to show your appreciation.
Should I Tip My House Cleaner?
Tipping is never required, but it is always a wonderful way to show your appreciation for a job well done. If you are pleased with the service, a tip is a clear way to say “thank you”. The industry standard is generally 15-20% of the total service fee.
Knowing what to do is important, but knowing what to avoid is just as important for a successful service.
What NOT to Do Before Your Cleaner Arrives
Avoiding these common mistakes will help you manage expectations and get the most value from your service.
- DON’T deep clean. You hired a professional for a reason, so leave the scrubbing and mopping to the experts.
- DON’T use your own chemical cleaners. Mixing different cleaning agents can be dangerous, potentially releasing toxic vapors, and may cause damage to surfaces.
- DON’T leave out a sink full of dishes. This can physically block cleaners from accessing sinks and countertops.
- DON’T forget to communicate. A quick, friendly note is the best way to ensure your priorities are addressed.
To round out your knowledge, here are answers to a few more common questions we receive.
Ready for a Stress-Free Experience?
A great cleaning experience is truly a partnership. By taking these simple preparation steps, you set your professional cleaner up for success and ensure they can deliver the deep, thorough clean your home deserves.
This foundation of clear communication and mutual respect is the key to a fantastic, long-lasting relationship with your cleaning service.
At Katie’s Cleaning Service, we believe that knowing how to prepare for a house cleaner is the first step toward a sparkling, stress-free home. Let our team turn your preparation into results you’ll love—every single time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the one thing I can do to make my cleaning service more effective?
Declutter! The 15 minutes you spend tidying up floors and surfaces allows your professional to focus 100% of their time on cleaning, not organizing.
Do I really need to put my pets away? They’re friendly!
Yes, it is highly recommended. Securing them in a comfortable space is the safest and most efficient option for your pet, your cleaner, and your peace of mind.
What happens if I forget to do some of these things?
Don’t worry! Our professional cleaners are trained to do their best under any circumstances. This guide is simply designed to help you get the absolute most value from your service. For more answers, check out our FAQs page.
Do I need to be home for the first cleaning?
It is often recommended to be present for the first visit if you can. This allows you to give a quick tour and point out priority areas to ensure everyone is on the same page.
How do I communicate my needs for a recurring service?
For a recurring service, a simple dialogue works best. Leaving a brief note on the counter or a small whiteboard on the fridge is a perfect way to communicate a specific need for that week’s visit. For more ideas on what to prioritize throughout the year, explore our seasonal cleaning tips.
