Pick up, do not clean
Cleaning and tidying are different jobs, and a cleaner is there for the first one. Every item on a counter has to be lifted, wiped under and put back; every item on a floor has to be moved before the floor can be vacuumed. So before the visit:
- Clear counters and tables of papers, mail and chargers
- Pick up clothes, shoes, toys and bags from the floors
- Put dishes in the dishwasher or to one side of the sink
- Strip the beds if you want sheets changed, and leave fresh ones out
- Take out overflowing trash
- Move anything you do not want touched into one room or closet
Do not scrub the shower or mop first; that is what the visit is for.
Pets
Tell us about pets when you book: what kind, how many, and how they feel about strangers and vacuums. Most dogs are fine in a closed room or a crate; most cats hide until the vacuum stops. Decide where each animal will be and leave a note, so the cleaner does not open a door that should stay shut. Feed pets first, and say whether a litter box should be touched. If a pet is anxious, be home for the first visit.
Valuables, papers and the things you would rather we not touch
Put away cash, jewelry, medications, passports, small electronics and anything sentimental or fragile that could be knocked over. This is not about trust; it is about someone working quickly in every room, and about having no doubt afterward. Keep paperwork off the surfaces you want cleaned. Point out anything delicate that stays out: marble, unsealed stone or wood, antique finishes. If you want a room left alone, say so and close the door.
Keys, codes and access: should you be home?
Either way is fine. Many people are home for the first visit, to walk the cleaner through the house, and out for the rest. If you are home, stay out of the room being cleaned.
If you will not be home, plan how the cleaner gets in, and put it in writing:
- A key in a lockbox with a code you can change
- A garage or door code, changed after the visit if you prefer
- A key left with a doorman, front desk or neighbor
- A smart lock with a one-time code
- A key held by the company, where offered
Ask any company how it handles keys and codes, and what happens if one is lost. Ask us the same when you book, and say how you want the home locked when the team leaves. An alarm needs a code or a scheduled disarm.
Parking and the building
The cleaner needs somewhere to park, so say where, and whether a permit or visitor pass is needed. In an apartment or condo, tell us about the front desk, the service elevator, building hours for contractors, and any paperwork the building wants in advance. Stairs and walk-ups belong in the quote form too.
What to tell us before the visit
The quote form has a box for this. Worth putting in it, or in a note on the counter:
- The rooms or surfaces that bother you most
- Anything to skip, and any room to leave closed
- Allergies, and any products to use or avoid
- Where your own supplies are, if you want them used; ask us first what we bring
- Pets: where they will be
- How to get in, how to lock up, the alarm, and parking
The more the cleaner knows before ringing the bell, the more of the visit goes to cleaning. The same notes help the quote; what sets the price is on the pricing page.
What you can skip
- Pre-cleaning. Wiping counters and running the vacuum first hides what needs attention.
- Moving heavy furniture. Cleaners work around it; what a house cleaning includes explains what gets moved.
- Buying supplies. Ask first what the company brings.
- Hiding the mess. A cleaner has seen every kind of home; the state of the house is information, not a judgment.
- Deciding the tip in advance. It is optional; the tipping guide covers what is customary.
Questions worth asking before the first visit
Ask any cleaning company these before you book, and ask us.
- Who will come, and will it be the same people each time?
- How are keys and codes handled, and who has them?
- What happens if something is damaged, and who covers it?
- What is on the list for this visit, and what is an extra?
- How do I reschedule or cancel, and with how much notice?
A first visit is often a deep cleaning, then a weekly or biweekly schedule; deep cleaning vs regular cleaning explains which fits. For an empty home, see move-in and move-out cleaning. The other guides are on the guides index.
Common questions about getting ready for a cleaning
Should I be home when the cleaners come?
You can be, and you do not have to be. Being home for the first visit is useful: you can show the cleaner around, point out delicate surfaces and say what matters most. After that, many people are out, and the visit runs the same. If you stay, keep out of the room being cleaned.
Do I need to clean before the cleaners come?
No. Pick up, do not clean. Clear counters and floors, put dishes away, strip the beds if you want sheets changed, and put away anything you do not want touched. Leave the scrubbing, dusting and floors to the visit; a tidied home takes less time because the cleaner is cleaning surfaces rather than moving what is on them.
How do I leave a key for a house cleaner safely?
A lockbox with a code you control is the simplest: mount it out of sight, set a code, and change it whenever you like. A garage or door code works the same way. In a building, a key at the front desk with a note to the doorman is common. Ask the company how keys are recorded and who has them.
What happens if a cleaner breaks something?
Accidents are rare, and they happen. Put away what is fragile and sentimental before the visit, point out what stays out, and ask any company before you book how damage is reported and handled. If something is broken or missing after a visit, tell the company the same day, with a photo. Ask us the same when you book; we will answer plainly.
What should I do with my dog or cat during the cleaning?
Tell us about pets when you book. On the day, put dogs in a closed room, a crate or the yard, and leave a note saying where they are. Cats usually hide from the vacuum on their own; make sure they cannot slip out a door. Feed pets first and move bowls off the kitchen floor. If a pet is nervous, be home the first time.
