A lot of people apologize when we arrive for a first clean, as if the house should already be spotless before the cleaner gets there. It shouldn't, that's the whole point of hiring us. But a little bit of preparation does help your cleaner spend her time actually cleaning instead of clearing surfaces, so here's exactly what's worth doing beforehand and what to skip entirely.
What to tidy first
A quick pass of visible clutter before we arrive means more of the visit goes toward actual cleaning, wiping, scrubbing, vacuuming, instead of tidying.
- Put away dishes, mail, laundry and anything on countertops that isn't meant to stay there
- Pick clothing and toys up off the floor so we can vacuum and mop properly
- Clear the bathroom counter of personal items you'd rather we not move
- Put away anything valuable, fragile or sentimental that you'd feel uneasy about a first-time visitor handling
What to leave for us
This is the part people most often over-prepare for. You do not need to clean before the cleaner comes: dishes in the sink, dust on shelves, a bathroom that needs scrubbing, a floor that needs vacuuming. That's the job. Leave it.
If you have products you'd like used instead of what we bring, a specific wood floor cleaner, a stone-safe spray for a marble counter, leave them out with a short note. Otherwise we bring supplies or use yours, your choice when you book, and your cleaner will use her judgment on the right product for each surface.
You don't need to clean before the cleaner comes. That instinct is understandable, but it's the one thing you can skip entirely.
Access and pets
Decide ahead of time how your cleaner will get in: a key, a lockbox code, a door code, or you letting her in yourself. Whatever you're comfortable with works, and it stays consistent for every future visit since the same person almost always returns.
If you have pets, let us know their names and any quirks: a dog that needs a closed door, a cat that bolts for open doors, a bird that startles at vacuum noise. Your cleaner will remember this for every visit going forward, which is one of the real advantages of having one dedicated person rather than a different face each time.
Tell us your priorities
Every home has one or two things that matter more than the rest: maybe it's the kitchen after a week of cooking, maybe it's bathrooms because you have guests coming, maybe it's just getting the dust off surfaces before allergy season. Say so before the first visit. A standard clean covers a full checklist, but knowing what matters most to you helps your cleaner prioritize her time inside that visit.
After your first visit
Walk through when it's done and say what you think, good or otherwise. This first visit is also how your cleaner learns your home: where things go, how you like the kitchen arranged, which surfaces need extra care. Feedback now makes every visit after this one better, so if anything didn't meet your expectations, tell us. We talk it through with you and decide together how to put it right.