March 8, 2025 by Neal Zott
Preparing your home before professional cleaners arrive ensures better results and saves time. Here’s how to get started:
- Declutter First: Clear countertops, floors, and surfaces to let cleaners focus on deep cleaning.
- Secure Valuables: Lock away cash, jewelry, and important documents for peace of mind.
- Communicate Your Needs: Share specific cleaning priorities, like high-traffic areas or problem spots.
- Plan for Pets: Keep pets in a separate room or arrange for their care during the cleaning.
- Check Supplies: Confirm if cleaners bring their own materials or if you need to provide them.
How to Prepare Your House for Cleaning Service
What Professional Cleaners Do
Professional cleaners offer a variety of services tailored to fit different needs. Understanding these options can help you prepare your home and get the most value out of their work. Here’s a breakdown of the types of services, common tasks, and reasons why hiring professionals can be a smart choice.
Available Cleaning Services
Professional cleaning services generally fall into three main categories:
| Service Type | Description | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Cleaning | Routine tasks like dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and sanitizing surfaces | Weekly or bi-weekly upkeep |
| Deep Cleaning | More thorough work, including cleaning grout, appliance interiors, and neglected areas (great if your home hasn’t been professionally cleaned in a while) | Quarterly or seasonal refresh |
| Move-In/Move-Out | Complete cleaning of all surfaces, fixtures, appliances, and storage spaces | Transitioning between occupants |
Standard Service Tasks
Here’s what’s typically included in a standard cleaning. Professionals follow a structured approach to ensure consistent results:
| Area | Tasks Included |
|---|---|
| Living Spaces | Dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and wiping down surfaces |
| Kitchen | Sanitizing countertops, cleaning appliance exteriors, and scrubbing sinks |
| Bathrooms | Cleaning fixtures, sanitizing toilets, and scrubbing showers/tubs |
| Bedrooms | Dusting, vacuuming, wiping surfaces, and making beds |
"The three key steps to ensuring a good cleaning job are scrub, shine, and look behind." – Kimberly Towers, The Red Rose [4]
Why Hire Professional Cleaners
Choosing professional cleaners doesn’t just mean a spotless home – it also saves time and offers several other perks:
- Save Time: On average, people spend 5-6 hours a week cleaning [5]. Hiring a service lets you reclaim that time for other priorities.
- Better Results: Trained cleaners use specialized tools and techniques to deliver consistent quality while meeting health standards.
- Healthier Living: Professional cleaning can reduce allergens, bacteria, and mold, promoting a cleaner and healthier environment [6][7].
"People who spend money to save time are happier than those who spend it on material things." – Ashley Whillans, assistant professor at Harvard Business School [5]
Step 1: Clear Out Clutter
Start by decluttering your home so the cleaning team can focus entirely on deep cleaning. As Sisters Home Services LLC puts it, "Decluttering allows the cleaning team to focus on thorough cleaning rather than tidying up, ensuring no spots are missed" [1]. Work through each room step by step to get everything in order.
Tidy Up Each Room
Here’s a breakdown of tasks for different rooms to help you stay organized:
| Room | Decluttering Tasks |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Sort pantry items, organize cabinets and drawers by category |
| Bathroom | Empty the medicine cabinet, clean out drawers, and remove expired products |
| Bedroom | Clear nightstands, put away clothing, and tidy up desks or vanities |
| Living Room | Store remotes, books, and magazines; remove unnecessary electronics |
| Entryway | Organize shoes, clear closets, and relocate misplaced items |
Sort and Store Personal Items
Sort your belongings into categories: keep, repair, recycle, trash, or donate. Use the 80/20 rule – keep only the 20% of items you use frequently and part with the rest [8]. If something hasn’t been used in five years, it’s probably time to let it go [8]. Frequently used items should be stored at eye level in cabinets or drawers for easy access after cleaning.
Prepare for Cleaning
Make sure surfaces and spaces are clear so cleaners can work efficiently. Experts at The Spruce explain, "Clearing surfaces makes it easier for cleaning services to tackle surfaces behind the stuff" [9].
Focus on these areas:
- Countertops: Remove everything.
- Floors: Pick up clothes, toys, and other items.
- Furniture: Empty surfaces like tables and shelves.
- Access Points: Move any furniture blocking pathways.
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Step 2: Protect Your Valuables
Make sure your valuables are safe before the cleaning service arrives. This helps maintain your peace of mind and allows the cleaners to work efficiently.
What to Lock Away
Here are some items you should secure during the cleaning service:
| Category | Items to Secure |
|---|---|
| Financial | Cash, credit cards, checkbooks |
| Documents | Passports, Social Security cards, tax records |
| Jewelry | Watches, rings, necklaces, precious stones |
| Electronics | Laptops, tablets, portable gaming devices |
| Personal | Private journals, medical records, spare keys |
Where to Store Valuables
Consider these options to keep your belongings safe:
-
Home Safe Storage
Use a safe that’s bolted to the floor or built into a wall to secure smaller items. -
Bank Safety Deposit Box
For long-term projects or high-value possessions, a bank safety deposit box offers added security. -
Secure Cabinet Systems
Locked cabinets or drawers with strong locks are a practical way to keep valuables safe at home.
Once your valuables are stored, make sure to identify any private areas to avoid accidental access.
Mark Private Areas
"Homeowners should inform cleaners of fragile items, valuables locations and any off-limit private spaces verbally and with signs." – The Maids [9]
To keep private areas off-limits:
- Use signs or colored tape to mark doors leading to restricted areas.
- Lock file cabinets that contain sensitive documents.
- Secure any server rooms or similar spaces by keeping them locked and inaccessible.
Step 3: Tell Cleaners Your Needs
Once your space is ready, it’s time to communicate your cleaning priorities clearly.
Highlight Your Top Concerns
Make a list of what matters most to you when it comes to cleaning. Here are some common areas to consider:
- High-Traffic Zones: Kitchen counters, entryway floors, living room carpets.
- Problem Spots: Bathroom grout, crayon marks, pet stains.
- Often Missed Areas: Baseboards, ceiling fans, doorknobs, light switches.
- Deep Cleaning Tasks: Under furniture, inside cabinets, window tracks.
Mention Special Requirements
If you have specific needs, let the cleaners know. This could include product allergies, preferences for eco-friendly cleaning solutions, or surfaces that need extra care, like marble countertops or hardwood floors.
Provide Access Details
Make it easy for cleaners to access your home by choosing one of these options:
- Smart Lock System: Create temporary codes that work only during scheduled cleaning times.
- Lockbox: Install a secure lockbox near your entrance and update the code for each visit.
- Security System: Set up a restricted code for cleaners, valid only during their scheduled hours.
Last Steps Before Cleaners Arrive
You’re almost ready! Here are a few final things to take care of before the cleaning team shows up.
Plan for Pets
Pets can get uneasy with unfamiliar faces around. To keep them comfortable, secure them in a separate room stocked with their essentials – food, water, and favorite items. Make sure to remove pet beds, toys, and feeding stations from areas that will be cleaned. Let the cleaning team know about any pet-specific zones they should avoid. If your pet is particularly nervous, consider arranging for a walk or hiring a pet sitter during the cleaning session [3][11].
Check Cleaning Supplies
Double-check whether the cleaning service provides their own supplies. If not, make sure you’ve got the basics ready: floor cleaner, disinfectant, a vacuum, mop, and bucket. It’s always better to confirm ahead of time to avoid last-minute scrambling [10].
Quick House Check
Take a final look around the house. Ensure the cleaning areas are clear and accessible, and that any specific instructions are visible for the team [11].
Conclusion
Getting your home ready can make a big difference in how well and how quickly it gets cleaned. Start by clearing clutter, securing any valuables, and outlining your priorities. These steps help create a smoother cleaning process.
"The cleaning procedure moves more quickly when you are more organized, which may result in cost savings" – Fresh Tech Maid [2]
Communication is just as important. Talk with your cleaning team ahead of time to share your needs or address any concerns.
"When cleaning business owners and clients communicate regularly, it becomes easier to provide feedback in real-time" [12]