A little preparation before your cleaner arrives makes a noticeable difference in the quality of the result — and it's simpler than most people expect. Here's exactly what to do, and what to skip.
What to Do Before Your Cleaner Arrives
Pick Up Clutter
This is the most important step. Clutter — clothes on the floor, items on counters, things left on surfaces — slows the cleaner down significantly. They're not hired to organize or move your personal items; they're hired to clean surfaces. Pick up anything that would prevent them from accessing the surfaces you want cleaned.
This doesn't mean your home needs to look clean before they arrive. It means surfaces should be accessible. Counters cleared, floors clear enough to vacuum, bathroom counters free of products.
Secure Pets
If you have pets, let your cleaning service know in advance and have a plan for the cleaning day. Dogs and cats following the cleaner from room to room slow the process and can be a liability if they get into cleaning products. Even friendly pets should be secured in one room or taken out for the duration.
Identify Anything You Don't Want Touched
If there are specific items, areas, or surfaces you want left alone, note it in your booking or leave a visible note. Most cleaners will not move or handle anything that looks personal or fragile without permission — but communication prevents misunderstandings.
Confirm Entry Details
If you won't be home, confirm exactly how the cleaner will enter — lockbox code, key left with a neighbour, building buzzer instructions. There is nothing more frustrating (for both sides) than a cleaner showing up to a locked building with no way to reach anyone.
What You Don't Need to Do
- Pre-clean — You don't need to clean before your cleaner arrives. That's their job. Wiping down surfaces yourself beforehand is redundant.
- Dishes — Unless dishes are covering counter surfaces you want cleaned, leave them. A standard clean doesn't include doing dishes; a deep clean does inside the dishwasher, but not hand-washing your pile of dishes.
- Buy cleaning products — Professional cleaners bring everything. Don't stock up on products — just let them know if you have surface-specific preferences (e.g., you have marble countertops that require pH-neutral cleaner).
Before a Deep Clean or Move-Out Clean
For deep cleans and move-out cleans, additional preparation helps:
- Remove all personal items from inside cabinets and drawers that will be cleaned
- Empty the fridge of all food (if an inside-fridge clean is scheduled)
- For move-out cleans specifically: remove all furniture and personal belongings before the crew arrives — the clean is most effective and fastest in an empty property
After the Clean
Walk through the home within 24–48 hours and check all the areas you care most about. If anything was missed or not done to standard, contact your cleaning service immediately — most professional services (Maidless included) have a re-clean policy and will return within 48 hours to fix anything that was missed at no charge.