How to prepare for a professional house cleaning

The best cleanings happen when the crew can walk into a home and start cleaning right away. The worst use up the visit moving piles of laundry, toys and paper from one spot to another. A few minutes of preparation before the crew arrives changes what you get out of a visit.

This is the short list of what helps, what does not matter, and what to tell us ahead of time.

The one rule: clear the surfaces

Cleaners clean surfaces. They do not organize your belongings, and they cannot wipe a counter that has the mail, a coffee maker and a stack of dishes on it. They also do not want to guess where your things belong.

If you do only one thing, do this: get things off the counters, tables and floors. Anything on the floor stops the vacuum, and anything on a counter gets worked around rather than cleaned under.

A fifteen-minute checklist

• Put away dishes, or load them into the dishwasher. Clear the sink.
• Clear kitchen counters of everything you can, especially around the sink and stove.
• Pick up clothes, shoes, toys and bags from floors in every room.
• Clear bathroom counters and the shower floor of bottles and razors, or tuck them into a basket.
• Put away loose papers, mail and electronics cords.
• Make beds you want fresh sheets on, or strip them if you want linens washed (laundry is an add-on).
• Empty small trash cans, or leave them, since the crew empties bedroom trash and can do the rest.
• Move fragile or valuable items out of the way, like jewelry, cash and sentimental pieces.
• Secure pets. Cleaners are friendly with animals, but open doors and wet floors are a hazard. A closed room or a crate keeps everyone safe.
• Unlock gates and make sure the crew can get in. Leave a key or a code if you will be out.

What you do not need to do

• Scrub anything. A cleaner does not expect the house to be clean already. A little mess does not embarrass anyone.
• Vacuum before they arrive. They bring the equipment and will vacuum properly.
• Clean the bathrooms. That is the job.
• Hide the dirt. If a shower has a lot of hard water scale, tell us. That helps us plan time.

What to tell your cleaner

A couple of sentences ahead of time make a visit go smoother. Mention:

1. Pets. What kind, how many, and whether they shed a lot. A flat $15 is added to the estimate for pets, and heavy shedding on furniture can call for a pet hair add-on.
2. Allergies or sensitivities. Scents, products or anything that triggers symptoms.
3. Priorities. If one room matters most, we start there. If you hate the kitchen floor, say so.
4. No-go items. Delicate surfaces, antiques, a rug that should not be vacuumed, a room to leave alone.
5. How to get in. Key, lockbox, door code, a garage opener. Include alarm instructions.
6. Parking. Where the crew should park, especially in a gated community or an apartment complex.
7. Anything unusual. A recent party, a leak, a project that left dust everywhere.

Prep that helps Tucson homes specifically

Clear the window sills and tracks. Desert dust collects there, and plants, candles and décor on sills make it difficult to wipe all the way along.

Lift small rugs and mats near entries. Dust and grit from outside pile up at the doors. If the rug is movable, the vacuum can reach what is underneath.

Check the dog door area. If your pet comes and goes, the floor near the door collects dirt and sand. A quick sweep of big debris helps, though we handle the rest.

Tell us about hard water trouble spots. If a particular shower door or faucet is badly scaled, mention it. A deep cleaning may be a better fit than a standard visit, and we would rather tell you that than leave you disappointed. Our guide to what is included in a deep cleaning explains the difference.

Add-ons are easier with a little prep

If you are adding extras, a few more steps help:

• Inside the fridge: Clear out old food and expired items. The crew will wipe shelves and drawers.
• Inside the oven: Take out any pans or trays. Remove racks only if you want them soaked separately.
• Inside cabinets: They are easiest to wipe when empty, so clear the ones you want done.
• Laundry: Leave the clothes in a basket by the washer, and let us know which detergent to use. Laundry add-ons use your machines and detergent.
• Garage: Clear the floor of items you want swept under.

During and after the visit

If you are home, go about your day. The crew will work around you. If you are not, there is nothing to do but come home to a clean house.

When you get back, walk through. If something was missed, tell us promptly so we can make it right. Our crews would rather hear about it than have you quietly unhappy.

Why this saves you money

Prep is not about doing the crew’s job. It is about the time they can spend on the actual cleaning, which is what you pay for. A home that is picked up takes less time to clean and gets cleaned better. Over several months, a household that preps for a few minutes gets more from every recurring visit.

If you are still deciding on a service level, our cost guide lays out what different cleanings run, or you can use the instant quote for your home.