How to prepare for a house cleaner
A few minutes of prep means more of the visit goes on cleaning and less on moving things out of the way.
Do you really need to clean before the cleaner comes?
No, but a little tidying makes a real difference. A cleaner's time is best spent cleaning: scrubbing, dusting, vacuuming and wiping. Every minute spent moving piles of mail or picking toys off the floor is a minute not spent on the bathroom. Tidying is not the same as cleaning, and a quick pick-up lets the cleaning go further.
Before every visit
- Clear the floors. Shoes, toys, laundry and bags off the floor so it can be vacuumed and mopped edge to edge.
- Clear the counters. Kitchen and bathroom counters can only be wiped properly when they are clear.
- Dishes in the dishwasher or sink. Unless dishes are part of what you have agreed, put them away.
- Put away valuables and paperwork you would rather not have moved, such as jewelry, cash and important documents.
Before the first visit
Share your priorities
Every household has its own idea of what matters most. For some it is the kitchen, for others the bathrooms or the floors. Tell your cleaner up front. Tracy plans visits around the rooms that matter most to you, so the more specific you are, the better.
Mention anything delicate
Antiques, natural stone countertops, specialty floors or surfaces that need a particular product are all worth pointing out. Natural stone, for example, can be etched by acidic cleaners.
Talk about pets
Let your cleaner know about pets before the first visit, including whether they should be shut in a room or will be out and about.
Sort out access
Agree on how your cleaner will get in if you won't be home, and share alarm codes, gate codes or parking notes.
After the visit
Take a walk through and say what you loved and what you would like done differently next time. A good cleaner wants that feedback, and it is how the visits get better and better suited to your home.
Starting with Tracy's Tidy Homes
When you request an estimate, mention your priorities, any pets and anything delicate. Tracy sees each home before giving a price, so the first visit starts from a shared understanding of what your home needs. Wondering what else to ask? See questions to ask before hiring a house cleaner.