How To Prepare for House Cleaners (10 Best Ways)

Wondering how to prepare for house cleaners after recently hiring a home cleaning service?

No question, hiring a house cleaner can be a lifesaver for homeowners struggling to keep up with endless household chores.

But what do you do before a cleaning service arrives for a first-time deep cleaning or recurring maid visits?

Below, our home cleaning experts share the top ten things to do so you can maximize the value of each house cleaning service visit.

Industry Study: Pre-Cleaning Saves You Money

Most professional cleaning services charge by the hour or calculate a flat rate based on the time they’ll spend cleaning.

According to industry data, spending 15 minutes prepping can save your cleaner 30 to 45 minutes of tidying, meaning more actual cleaning for your dollar.

Some clients report getting essentially “one extra room cleaned” just by following these prep steps.

For larger jobs, such as moving in or out or post-construction cleanings, preparation can be just as crucial. We’ll share checklists for these later as well.

Pre-Cleaning Checklist (Free Download)

Prepping your house before cleaning is a no-brainer, but if you are short on time, you can use this free, downloadable pre-cleaning checklist.

Below, we’ll dive into more detail on these 10 pre-cleaning checklist items and highlight some pro tips to help you maximize your cleaning investment and your cleaner’s time.

If you constantly feel behind on chores, the 80/20 rule for cleaning homes can change how you manage weekly cleanups for the better.

The 10 Best Things to Do Before Your House Cleaner Arrives

Here are the 10 best pre-cleaning tips that ensure you get the most bang for your buck when hiring house cleaners, maximizing your investment and peace of mind.

1. Declutter Surfaces and Floors

This is perhaps the most crucial step in preparing areas of your home for cleaning.

Imagine trying to dust a coffee table covered in magazines, remote controls, and various trinkets, or trying to vacuum a vinyl floor strewn with toys and shoes. It’s simply inefficient!

Surfaces: Clear off kitchen counters, bathroom vanities, bedside tables, and coffee tables. Put away mail, stray papers, books, and decorative items that don’t require meticulous dusting each time.

Floors: Pick up clothes, toys, shoes, and any other items from the floor. This allows your cleaner unobstructed access for vacuuming and mopping, ensuring a much more thorough floor cleaning.

Get Kids Involved (Make It Fun!):

• Give them a “toy rescue mission” before cleaners arrive
• Create a “cleaning day countdown” routine
• Let them be the “floor inspector” checking for items

Use a “Clutter Basket” (Pre-Cleaning Pro Tip):

Want to make your life easier? Use a “clutter basket” or a designated bin for each room to quickly collect items before cleaning day. You can then put them away properly at your leisure.

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2. Clear Away Personal Items

While professional cleaners are trustworthy, it’s always best practice to put away highly personal items.

This includes delicate heirlooms, small sentimental objects, personal belongings, and anything you wouldn’t want accidentally moved or damaged.

Taking this simple step respects your privacy and helps prevent any potential misunderstandings.

Wondering if you can trust those $19 cleaning deals? Our experts reveal why homeowners should think twice about allowing companies like Homeaglow into their house.

3. Secure Valuable Items and Important Documents

This tip is about peace of mind during your professional house cleaning.

While reputable cleaning services carefully vet their staff, it’s always wise to secure items of significant monetary or personal value.

• Valuables: Place jewelry, fragile items, expensive electronics, and small collectibles in a safe or a designated, locked drawer.
• Documents: Store passports, bank statements, school work, and other sensitive papers out of sight.

This isn’t about distrust; it’s simply a responsible measure that protects both you and your cleaning team.

4. Handle Dirty Dishes and Kitchen Messes

Your cleaning service is there to clean your kitchen, not to do your daily dishwashing.

While they might wipe down an empty sink, a sink overflowing with dirty dishes or food debris on the counters can significantly slow their cleaning process.

Find out how professional cleaners opt to clean sink drains the natural way.

• Dishes: Load them into the dishwasher, or wash and put them away. An empty sink is a happy sink for a cleaner!
• Food Scraps: Clear any food remnants from counters and the stovetop.
• Kitchenware: Put away pots, pans, and small appliances you’ve used.

This ensures they can sanitize your countertops, scrub your sink, and clean your stovetop effectively without having to navigate obstacles.

5. Take Care of Pet Waste and Excess Fur

Our furry friends bring so much joy, but they can also leave behind a bit of a mess.

Before your cleaners arrive, ensure that any pet waste (including litter boxes and accidents) is appropriately handled.

Remember, professional cleaning services are never required to pick up pet or human waste in any form. Hire a specialized bio-hazard cleaning company instead.

If you have particularly shedding pets, a quick vacuum or sweep can also help the cleaning team focus on a deeper clean, rather than spending extra time on cleaning dog hair.

You should always put pets in a designated room or kennel during cleaning, both for the cleaner’s safety and the sake of efficiency.

Finally, note if your pets are escape artists and run out of any open doors, so your cleaners can ensure they keep them closed.

6. Remove Linens and Towels You Want Changed

If your service includes bed linen changes or fresh towel placement, ensure the old ones are either in the laundry hamper or stripped from the beds and placed conveniently.

You might also want to leave out the fresh linens and towels you’d like them to use. This clarifies your expectations and makes their job straightforward.

PRO TIP: Leave out correctly sized trash liner replacement bags in every room to ensure that your cleaners replace them with ones that fit in each particular waste bin type in your house.

7. Provide Access and Instructions

How will your cleaners get in? Do they have a key, a code, or will someone be home?

Clearly communicate entry instructions well in advance.

The “Cleaning Command Center” (Pre-Cleaning Pro Tip):

Designate one spot (like a kitchen counter) where you always leave notes, keys, tips, or special instructions. Your cleaners will know exactly where to look every time.

Also, if there are problem areas they should avoid or particular cleaning products or stain removers they prefer to use (or not use), leave a concise note or communicate this prior.

Seasonal Cleaning Preparation Tips:

• Winter: Clear snow and salt walkways and driveways, and ensure your heat is on so your home isn’t freezing.
• Spring: Mention any allergy concerns or open window preferences.
• Summer: Ensure your air conditioning is set to a comfortable temperature (under 73°F is typically recommended).
• Fall: Note areas where leaves accumulate indoors.

8. Tidy Up Bathrooms (Lightly!)

Again, your cleaners are there to clean your bathroom, not to tidy it.

Quickly put away toothbrushes, cosmetics, hair products, and any clothes from the floor before a house cleaner arrives.

Learn how keeping your bathrooms and kitchens tidy can keep house flies away for good in our latest guide for homeowners!

An empty shower caddy allows for a much better scrub of the shower walls, and a clear vanity can be properly sanitized.

Remember, you’re not scrubbing the toilet; you’re just making it accessible.

9. Take a 1-Minute Walkthrough to Address Areas of Concern

Especially for first-time visits, a brief walkthrough with your cleaner is invaluable.

Point out specific problem areas (stubborn water spots, grimy oven, etc.), explain any quirks about your home, and clarify your priorities.

This personal interaction ensures your most pressing concerns are addressed and helps establish a great working relationship.

And at the end of a first-time cleaning, I always try to be home for a final walkthrough before they leave.

After your first deep cleaning visit, you can always leave a note with your scheduling manager or team if you aren’t available for a walkthrough each time.

10. Ensure a Clear Path for Efficient Cleaning

Think about the flow of movement. Are there obstacles in hallways or tight spaces? Is there enough room for them to move their equipment?

Your cleaners probably don’t know how fragile that West Elm side table in your living room is, so letting them know ahead of time goes a long way.

By ensuring clear pathways, you minimize the risk of accidents and allow your cleaners to move through your home smoothly and efficiently.

This translates to a faster and more thorough clean.

Why Prepare for Your House Cleaner?

Most savvy homeowners hire cleaning companies so they can spend time on what matters most instead of wasting it (trust us, that dust will be back soon).

And of course, you’ll run into the age-old question from your kid or significant other: Why clean your home before a cleaner arrives anyway?

Well, for one, hiring a house cleaner costs good money, and the more time they spend on actual deep cleaning, the better value you’ll get from each visit.

That means every minute counts.

Your cleaners give you the best results when they spend their time on deep cleaning, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and floors, instead of small tasks you can handle beforehand. This includes washing your towels regularly, keeping them smelling fresher longer.

What NOT to Do Before Your House Cleaner Arrives

While preparation is key, don’t fall into the trap of over-cleaning! Your house cleaner is there to clean, so you don’t need to:

• Deep clean your entire home: That’s their job! You’re just setting the stage.
• Scrub bathrooms or kitchens thoroughly: A quick tidy is enough. Let them do the sanitizing and scrubbing.
• Vacuum or mop every floor: A quick run-through if you have excessive pet hair is fine, but detailed floor cleaning is what you’re paying for.
• Stress about perfection: The goal is to make their job easier, not to make your home spotless before they even arrive. A little bit of everyday mess is totally expected.

FAQs About Preparing for a Cleaning Service

The following are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding preparing your home for house cleaners.

Do I need to be home when the cleaners arrive?

It depends on your comfort level and the cleaning service’s policy. Many clients provide access instructions (e.g., a key, lockbox code) so the cleaners can work while they’re out, allowing for minimal disruption to your day.

Should I tip my house cleaner?

Tipping is always appreciated, but not mandatory. If you’re happy with the service, a tip (typically 15-20% of the service cost) is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for their hard work.

For example, we usually leave a cash tip of $30-$50 per bi-weekly cleaning visit for our 3000 sqft house. Find out exactly how much the average homeowner tips their cleaning lady in our trending article.

How do I prepare for post-construction cleaning versus move-in or move-out cleanings?

Before our team arrives for a post-construction cleaning, do a quick walkthrough to remove leftover tools, large debris, or packaging materials. Likewise, there should be no exposed outlets, debris, or unfinished surfaces when the cleaner arrives. Moreover, contractors should be 100% finished with their work before you schedule a post-construction cleaning.

Move-In / Move-Out Cleaning Prep

For move-in and move-out cleanings, make sure the home is empty of furniture and personal belongings so our crew can deep clean your space. If appliances or cabinets will stay, leave them open and accessible, and remove any moving boxes or packages from rooms.

Also, avoid scheduling your cleaning the same day as your movers, as moving companies tend to reschedule frequently, putting your cleaners in a tough spot.

What if I forget to do something on the list?

Don’t worry too much! While these tips optimize the service, your cleaners are professionals and will do their best regardless. Just aim to get better with every visit, and you’ll soon have your home’s pre-cleaning checklist down pat.

Do I need to prepare for commercial cleanings the same way I would with residential cleanings?

You don’t need to prepare for office or commercial cleanings the same way you would for a residential home, but a little organization still goes a long way.

In offices and commercial spaces, the best prep is making sure desks and workstations are clear of paperwork or personal items, break rooms are free of dishes, and any sensitive equipment is powered down or secured.

This way, our crew can focus on disinfecting high-touch areas, vacuuming, and giving your workplace the detailed cleaning it deserves.

Should I provide cleaning supplies?

Most professional cleaning services come fully equipped with their own high-quality supplies and equipment. If you have specific products you prefer them to use (e.g., eco-friendly options, specific floor cleaner), discuss special requests with them in advance.