How to get your home ready for a house cleaner

You do not need to clean before the cleaners come. But a little prep helps your team focus on the cleaning you agreed. Every minute spent moving clutter is a minute not spent on the bathroom.

The night before

1. 1Pick up clutter from floors and counters. Toys, shoes, mail and laundry. Your team can then reach every surface.
2. 2Put away valuables and private papers. Jewelry, cash, medication and anything you would rather nobody handles.
3. 3Run the dishwasher or stack dishes. A full sink takes time to clear before the sink itself can be cleaned.
4. 4Prepare fresh sheets if a linen change is agreed. Leave clean sheets on the bed or say where they are kept.

Tell your team what matters most

Every home has a few spots that matter more than others. Write them down. A short note does more than any checklist:

• Rooms to skip, like a home office with papers on the desk
• Surfaces that need special care, like marble, natural stone or unsealed wood
• Products you do not want used, or products you prefer
• The one thing you want done every single time

Pets, alarms and getting in

• Pets. Say if your dog is friendly, nervous or should stay in one room. Mention doors that must stay shut.
• Alarms. After your visit is confirmed, arrange privately with us how the alarm will be handled. Keep alarm codes out of the initial enquiry form.
• Entry. If you will not be home, agree access arrangements directly with us after confirmation. Do not put door codes, key locations or lockbox details in the initial enquiry.
• Parking. Say where your team can park, especially in HOA communities with visitor rules.

What you can skip

You do not need to dust, wipe counters or clean the bathroom first. You also do not need to buy supplies if your cleaners bring their own. Your job is to clear the way. Theirs is to clean.