House cleaning professionals offer guidance on how clients can best prepare for service appointments, emphasizing that while decluttering is helpful, a full pre-cleaning is not required. Experts suggest that clients clear counters and surfaces, pick up items from the floor, and address dishes before cleaners arrive to allow them to focus on the core tasks of scrubbing, dusting, and disinfecting.
Professionals note that cluttered surfaces can significantly impede the cleaning process. Sara San Angelo, a house cleaner and founder of Confessions of a Cleaning Lady, stated that if she spends a significant portion of her allotted time simply moving items, it detracts from her ability to clean. Bryan Griffin, founder of Patriot Maids Cleaning Services, echoed this sentiment, explaining that clear surfaces enable his team to concentrate on the cleaning itself rather than organizing.
Similarly, items on the floor, such as packages, clothing, or toys, should be put away to facilitate thorough vacuuming and mopping. San Angelo advised clients to pick up items like dirty laundry before cleaners arrive, emphasizing that cleaners are not meant to handle such personal items.
Regarding dishes, many cleaning services charge an additional fee for this task, as it can be time-consuming. San Angelo and Carly Castro, a cleaner active on TikTok, recommend that clients ensure sinks are empty before the cleaners arrive. While some services may wash dishes, it could reduce the time available for other deep cleaning tasks.
Health and Safety Precautions
House cleaners are not expected to handle biohazards, such as blood, urine, feces, or mold. Katie Lambert of Clean Queen Maid Service advises that clients should clean these items away before cleaners arrive to ensure their health and safety. This also extends to pet waste.
If pets are present, cleaners recommend securing them in a comfortable space like a crate, a spare room, or a secure outdoor area, especially if the client will not be home. Griffin explained that while they love pets, unfamiliar people and cleaning equipment can cause stress, and securing them allows cleaners to work more efficiently and safely.
Communication and Valuables
Clear communication about preferences and priorities is essential. Griffin suggests clients inform cleaners of specific areas that require more attention or rooms to avoid altogether. This helps ensure alignment on the scope of work and prevents confusion, as noted by Kathy Cohoon, operations manager at Two Maids. Good communication fosters a partnership and can lead to better results.
Clients should also secure any sentimental items or valuables in a safe place. Eliana Coca, founder of E.C. House Cleaning, advises moving irreplaceable items out of the way to prevent accidents and allow cleaners to focus on their tasks without concern for personal belongings.
Unnecessary Preparations
Experts universally agree that clients do not need to pre-clean their homes before a cleaning service arrives. San Angelo and Griffin both stated that attempting to clean before the professionals come is unnecessary and can even hinder the process. Cleaners have seen a wide range of home conditions and are there to handle the cleaning, not to judge. For new clients, refraining from pre-cleaning allows the service to accurately assess the home's condition for future scheduling and pricing.