Having a professional cleaning service come to your home can be a huge help when life gets busy. But to make sure the cleaning process goes smoothly, it’s important to take some time to prepare your space.
Before you hire a cleaning service, follow this guide on simple things you can do before the cleaning team arrives to facilitate an effective cleaning of your home.
Clear Clutter and Personal Items
According to home organization experts The Spruce, decluttering before a big clean “makes it easier for cleaning services to tackle surfaces behind the stuff.” They advise designating zones and containers to sort items.
The first step when prepping for house cleaning services is to tidy up and put away clutter. Give all personal belongings extra attention and care by storing valuable items properly. This allows professional cleaners full access to cleanable surfaces.
Store Valuables and Fragile Items
Per house cleaning site The Maids, homeowners should inform cleaners of fragile items, valuables locations, and any off-limit private spaces verbally and with signs. Prepare an essential oil-safe list noting scent sensitivities.
Be sure to stow away fragile items and small valuables like jewelry so they won’t get accidentally damaged or misplaced. Cleaners cannot be responsible for personal items, so take special care securing them. Some examples of items to take special care of include:
- Antiques
- Collectibles
- Decor items
- Expensive dishware
- Family photos
- Financial documents
- Handheld electronics
- Heirlooms
- Household electronics
- Jewelry
- Keys
- Medical information
- Memorabilia
- Musical instruments
- Personal care products
- Sensitive paperwork
- Small appliances
- Valuable knick-knacks
Find secure, out-of-the-way spaces to keep precious possessions safe during the deep cleaning. This could mean placing them in drawers, cabinets, or closets. For especially delicate items, consider storing them in protective boxes.
Put Away Personal Care Items
In bathrooms and bedrooms, keep personal care products like prescription medications, contacts, skincare bottles, and cosmetics stored neatly away. This removes the risk of products getting used, damaged, or contaminated.
Bathroom counters should be completely cleared off before cleaners arrive. Personal hygiene items can live in drawers or cabinets while cleaning happens. Then restore them to counters after the cleaning is complete.
Manage Dishes and Food
An impeccably clean kitchen means all dirty dishes must be sparkling clean! Either fill the dishwasher to run a cycle or hand wash all plates, glasses, pots, and pans before professional cleaners show up.
Give special attention to clearing kitchen counters and sinks of any food particles, spills, and soap residue. Wiping down appliances and surfaces of food messes allows cleaners to thoroughly sanitize the kitchen. Consider tidying the inside of your refrigerator and wiping up any fridge spills as well.
Put Away Laundry and Make Beds
No one likes handling other people’s dirty clothes! Make sure all laundry gets folded and stowed away properly before your home gets cleaned. This includes clothing laid out in bedrooms. It’s also considerate to strip used sheets and remake beds with fresh linens before the cleaning team’s arrival.
Manage Pets and Pet Messes
During professional cleanings, pets should be kept in bedrooms or placed with a pet sitter for their safety. This prevents them from getting underfoot while cleaners move about. Be sure to pick up all pet toys, bowls, and beds and store them appropriately. Take care of eliminating any pet hair, accidents, and litter boxes ahead of time.
Gather Trash and Recycling
Finally, bag up all garbage and take it out to exterior bins before cleaning day. This leaves all waste baskets empty and ready for professional disinfecting. Sort any recycling into proper bins outside as well. This simple step keeps your home clutter-free and lets cleaners thoroughly sanitize waste bins.
Provide Special Instructions
When hiring professional house cleaners, it helps to provide special instructions about certain cleaning tasks or household items needing extra attention. Communicate any specific preferences so cleaners know which areas get priority focus.
Note Trouble Spots Needing Scrubbing
Point out any stubborn spots around the house that need some elbow grease. These might include places like:
- The bathroom grout needs brightening
- Crayon marks on walls
- Dirt marks around door jambs
- Dried food on kitchen surfaces
- Muddy entryways
- Pet stains on carpets
- Scuffed floors
- Soap scum on the tile
- Tough grease splatters
Bringing awareness to these cleaning challenges helps the team allot enough time and supplies.
Flag Frequently Missed Areas
Certain areas often get overlooked when cleaning someone else’s home. Make cleaning crews aware of any spots that could use some special attention, such as:
- Baseboards
- Ceiling fans
- Doorknobs
- Door frames
- Light switches
- Wall shelves
- Window tracks
Commenting on areas needing detailed cleaning makes sure nothing gets missed.
Note Any Off-Limit Spaces
Be sure to inform house cleaners about any private rooms, storage spaces, or possessions that are off-limits during cleaning sessions. Some examples include:
- File cabinets with sensitive documents
- Medications
- Personal journals and diaries
- Server rooms
- Valuable collections
Marking these personal spaces keeps them secure and untouched.
Schedule Cleanings at Convenient Times
When planning appointments with professional cleaners, select days and times that make preparations simpler. For many homeowners, scheduling house cleaning services for early weekdays or weekends works well with their schedule.
Aim For Less Busy Days
Setting appointments on your least hectic days minimizes life disruption. Mondays and Fridays tend to work well, as people are often out running errands. For those working weekday jobs, weekends can provide open blocks of time to tidy up at a relaxed pace.
Consider Your Routine
Think about your typical daily agenda and when the house is empty enough to allow full access to cleaners. If mornings are most convenient, an early appointment allows plenty of time to restore order before evening. Scheduling visits midday while you’re occupied leaves the house readily accessible. Whenever time slots align best with your lifestyle, book accordingly.
Request Consistent Cleaning Days
When using a regular cleaning service, ask for recurring appointments on the same 1-2 days each month. Consistent cleaning schedules allow you to adopt efficient preparation habits. You’ll instinctively know to tidy toys Wednesday night or clear bathroom counters every other Monday morning. Establishing set cleaning routines makes this once daunting task quite manageable over time.
Wrap-Up
Preparing adequately for professional house cleaning services allows for an efficient, thorough, and stress-free experience for both homeowners and cleaning crews. Follow these tips on storing valuables properly, clearing clutter, providing special instructions, and scheduling visits strategically.
With some thoughtful organization, you can present cleaners with an accessible workspace and achieve immaculate cleaning results. Implement these simple preparation hacks and transform cleaning day from a dreadful chore into a welcome relief!
