How to Get Your Home Ready for House Cleaners

Clear the way so the time goes to cleaning

Pick up clothes, toys, mail and cords from the floors and counters. That way the cleaner spends the visit cleaning, not guessing where your things belong. Tidying up is different from scrubbing the bathroom yourself, and the scrubbing is what you are paying us for.

Decide which rooms are on the list and close the doors on any that should be skipped. A quick note about a sleeping baby or a home office in use goes a long way. If you want organizing help rather than a simple tidy, bring it up before booking because it changes the job.

• Clear bathroom counters and the shower floor.
• Empty the sink of dishes and clear off the stovetop.
• Put away cash, jewelry, medication and private papers.
• Set out clean sheets if you want the bed changed.

Plan for entry and for your pets

Let us know how we will get in: a door code, lockbox, garage code or a key left somewhere safe. Include gate codes and parking tips for your neighborhood. Share entry details privately when you book, never in a public post.

We are gentle with pets, but it still helps to tell us where they will be and whether any of them likes to slip out the front door. A calm dog in a closed room or crate makes the visit easier for everyone, including the dog.

Flag delicate surfaces and existing damage

Natural stone, sealed wood, acrylic tubs and some appliance finishes need specific products. If you have care instructions from the manufacturer, leave them out. If you are not sure what a countertop is made of, just say so.

Point out anything already loose, cracked, stained or leaking. Cleaning can lift dirt while leaving old damage in plain view, and a quick heads-up keeps an existing issue from being mistaken for a missed spot.

Agree on the checklist and check the result

Tell us the two or three things you care about most and make sure they are part of the service you booked. The inside of the oven or fridge, inside cabinets, interior windows, blinds and sheet changes are add-ons, so ask for them ahead of time.

When the visit is over, walk through the rooms with the checklist in mind. If something that was included got missed, call or text us so we can look into it. A specific note is far more useful than a general feeling that the house does not look different.