Having someone clean your house is a big help, and a little prep makes it even better. You don't need to clean before the cleaner comes. You just need to clear the way so the time goes to cleaning, not moving your stuff. If the holidays are coming up, Holiday House Cleaning: A Before-and-After Plan is a good companion to this. Here's what to do before the visit.
Pick up the clutter
A cleaner's job is to clean, not organize. When counters, tables and floors are covered with stuff, the cleaner has to work around it or move it, which takes time away from scrubbing and dusting.
- Put away clothes, shoes and toys.
- Clear the kitchen counters of mail, dishes and anything that doesn't usually live there.
- Clear the bathroom counters of personal items, or at least group them in one spot.
- Pick up anything on the floor so vacuuming and mopping can reach everywhere.
You don't need to make it perfect. Even fifteen minutes of pickup helps a cleaner get more done.
Handle the dishes
Most standard cleans assume the sink is clear enough to clean. If there's a pile of dishes in it, load the dishwasher or let your cleaner know ahead of time if you'd like dishes added as an extra. A clear sink means it gets scrubbed and shined instead of worked around.
Put away valuables and private items
Most clients are comfortable with a cleaner in their home, but it's a good habit to put away jewelry, cash, important paperwork and anything sentimental or fragile that you'd rather handle yourself. It protects your things and gives everyone peace of mind.
If there's something delicate that you'd like cleaned a certain way, like an antique or a piece of art, let the cleaner know or set it aside.
Make a plan for pets
Pets are welcome, but let us know about them.
- Tell us their names and whether they're friendly with strangers.
- Let us know if any pet shouldn't go outside or can escape through an open door.
- Consider putting anxious pets in a closed room or crate during the visit.
- Pick up pet toys and food bowls so floors are easy to clean.
We keep pet notes on file, so you only have to tell us once.
Share entry instructions
If you won't be home, make sure your cleaner knows how to get in. We keep entry notes on file, whether it's a lockbox, a key left in a certain spot, a door code or a garage keypad. Tell us about alarm systems, gates or anything else we need to know to get in and out without trouble.
You'll get a text when your cleaner is on the way, so you'll know the visit is happening.
Tell us your priorities
Every home has a spot that needs extra love: the shower glass, the kitchen floor, the baseboards in the hallway. Tell your cleaner what matters most. If there are rooms to skip, like a home office with paperwork or a kid's room that's off limits, let us know that too.
If you'd like extras, like inside the fridge, inside the oven or changing the linens, ask ahead of time so enough time is planned for the visit. If you have favorite cleaning products, leave them out. We bring our own supplies, but we're happy to use yours.
If you'd like sheets changed, leave a fresh set on the bed or tell us where to find them. Same with fresh towels for the bathrooms. It's a small step that makes a big difference when you come home, because a freshly made bed is one of the best parts of walking into a clean house.
If anything in the house needs special care, now is the time to mention it. Maybe the hardwood in the dining room is new, the shower has a stone bench, or a leather couch shouldn't get any cleaner on it. A quick note keeps everything safe and helps your cleaner choose the right products for each surface.
Make it easy to reach the house
Move cars if they're blocking the driveway, leave the gate open or share the code if there is one and turn on the porch light if it's an early or late visit. In newer neighborhoods around Midlothian and Red Oak, a note about the right turn or house number can help too.
Ready to book your first visit?
Send us your bedrooms, bathrooms and what you need, and we'll reply with a price, usually the same day.
Get a free quoteThen relax
Once the house is ready, you're done. Go to work, run errands or just get out of the way. Cleaners work fastest when they can move freely, and coming home to a clean house is the best part. Families across Waxahachie and the south DFW area tell us the prep takes only a few minutes once it's routine. See how our house cleaning services work from first booking to the final walk-through.