How should I prepare for a house cleaning service?

A light tidy goes a long way: pick up clutter and clear surfaces so the team can clean them, run the dishwasher and clear the sink, secure valuables and medication, and pick up personal laundry off the floors. Then sort the practical details — how the team gets in, where to park, any building rules, and a plan for pets. Finally, note your priorities so they focus time where it matters most. You don't need to clean before they arrive — just clear the way.

Do I need to clean before the cleaners come?

No — you're hiring them to clean. What helps is tidying, not cleaning: clearing clutter and surfaces so they can actually reach and wipe everything. A floor covered in toys or a counter full of mail gets 'cleaned around' rather than cleaned, so a five-minute pickup makes your clean noticeably more thorough.

Should I be home during the cleaning?

It's entirely up to you. Many clients provide a key, lockbox, or door code and go about their day; others prefer to be home, especially for the first visit. If you won't be there, just leave any notes about priorities and access, and make sure pets are settled.

What should I do with my pets?

Tell the company about pets when you book. On cleaning day, secure anxious, territorial, or escape-prone animals in a crate or a closed room — it keeps them calm and lets the team work safely and efficiently. If your pet is friendly and relaxed around new people, that's fine too; just let the team know.

How to Prepare Your Home for a Professional Cleaning

You don't need to clean before a cleaning service arrives — but a few minutes of prep makes the clean noticeably better and faster. Here's exactly what to do (and what not to bother with) so you get the most from every visit.

Pick up clutter and clear surfaces

You don't need to clean — but a quick tidy of clothes, toys, dishes, and papers lets the team clean surfaces instead of moving your things around. The clearer the counters and floors, the more thorough (and faster) the clean.

Secure valuables and important items

Put away cash, jewelry, medication, and fragile or sentimental items. Reputable companies are insured and background-checked, but securing valuables is simple peace of mind for everyone.

Make a note of priorities

If there's an area that matters most — a guest bathroom, the kitchen, a room you're hosting in — leave a quick note or tell the team at the door so they focus their time where you want it.

Plan for pets

Let the company know about pets in advance, and on the day, secure anxious or territorial animals in a crate or a closed room. It keeps your pet calm and the team safe and efficient.

Sort out access and parking

Confirm how the team gets in — you're home, a key, a lockbox, or a door code — and where they can park. For condos or buildings, share any elevator, loading-dock, or visitor-parking rules ahead of time.

Handle dishes and personal laundry

Most cleaners aren't a dish or laundry service. Running the dishwasher and clearing the sink beforehand lets them fully clean the kitchen, and picking up personal laundry clears the floors.

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Keep reading

See what's included in a standard cleaning or how often you should hire a cleaning service.