How to Prepare Your Home for a Cleaning Service (And What You Don't Need to Do)

One thing we hear constantly from new clients: "I cleaned before you came — sorry if it's still messy."

You don't need to do that. But there are a few things that genuinely make a difference in what you get out of your appointment. Here's what actually matters.

Clear the surfaces you want cleaned

Cleaning teams work best when countertops, nightstands, and bathroom vanities are relatively clear. This isn't about making the house look presentable before we arrive — it's about access. If there's a stack of mail on the kitchen counter or a row of products crowding the bathroom shelf, we clean around them. The surface underneath stays dirty.

A quick sweep of items you'd like moved takes five minutes and makes a real difference in the result.

Pick up items from the floor

Clothes, shoes, kids' toys — we get it, that's life in an actual home. But vacuuming and mopping take significantly longer when the floor isn't clear, and we end up spending time moving things instead of cleaning. If you want your floors done well, a quick pickup before we arrive goes further than almost anything else.

Have a plan for your pets

Some pets are completely unbothered by strangers with mops and vacuums. Others aren't. Either way, it helps to think through where they'll be during the appointment. Crating, keeping them in one room, or arranging a walk during the visit all work well.

A loose, anxious pet slows down the appointment and can keep us from cleaning certain areas entirely. We'd rather not be the reason your dog has a rough afternoon.

Put away valuables and medications

This is less about trust and more about peace of mind — yours and ours. Before your cleaner arrives, put away anything you'd feel uncomfortable leaving out: jewelry, cash, prescription bottles, personal documents. You shouldn't have to think about it during the day.

Leave a note if something specific matters to you

If there's a room we should skip, a surface that's a priority, or a product you'd prefer we use on your floors, write it down or send a message ahead of time. We'd rather know before we start than find out after.

You can also leave notes on the day — a sticky note on the oven that says "please get inside this" does more than you'd think.

What you don't need to do

Pre-cleaning before your cleaning service arrives is one of those habits that feels logical but doesn't actually help. You don't need to scrub the toilet, wipe down the stovetop, or spot-clean the bathroom sink because we're coming. That's exactly what we're there for.

What does help: clearing clutter, picking up the floor, and flagging anything specific. Beyond that, leave the rest to us. That's the whole point.