Do these three things before your cleaner arrives: declutter surfaces and floors, lock away valuables and sentimental items, and confirm access, pets and priorities in writing. Everything else is optional. A lived-in home is normal for a professional team, so you only need to clear the way, not clean ahead of them.
TL;DR:
- If you will be away, agree a key, door code, neighbor, or lockbox in writing, and secure pets with water and a comfortable place.
- Tell the cleaner your top one or two priorities, and confirm whether dishes, laundry, ironing, or oven and fridge cleaning cost extra.
- Ask which products and equipment the team brings, and flag fragile items, restricted rooms, reactive animals, and any special product needs before the visit.
- Routine cleaners should not handle biohazards or active mold; arrange specialist remediation for contamination, and disclose problems rather than hiding them.
Table of Contents
- What should you do 24 to 48 hours before the visit?
- How do you tidy in 10 minutes on the morning of the clean?
- How do you keep pets safe and arrange access if you are out?
- What should you lock away, and what do we bring?
- How do you brief your cleaner on priorities?
- What will cleaners not do, and why?
- Which tasks can you skip?
- Why does a short prep routine help everyone?
- Ready for a clean without the stress?
- FAQ
- Sources
What should you do 24 to 48 hours before the visit?
Spreading light prep ahead of time beats a frantic scramble on the morning itself. Cleaning professionals advise clearing counters and surfaces, picking items up from the floor and securing important papers and valuables. Work through this list:
- Clear countertops, tables and obvious surfaces, and put away post, paperwork and small items.
- Pick up toys, parcels and laundry from the floor so the vacuum and mop can reach every patch.
- Decide whether you want dishes washed. Washing up can count as an extra task, so check how we handle it when you book.
- Put jewellery, documents and small valuables in a drawer or safe.
- Confirm your arrival window and access method (key, code or neighbour), and note any mobility needs or fragile items.
Bedding and towels are a common floor-level culprit. A tidy cupboard makes stowing them quick, and these linen cupboard tips show how to keep them sorted.
How do you tidy in 10 minutes on the morning of the clean?
The morning routine is about freeing the cleaner to clean rather than clear. Set a timer and walk through the home once.
- Stow loose items in each room and pile laundry into a basket.
- Clear surfaces of anything that does not belong there.
- Roll up or move small rugs so floors are open for vacuuming and mopping.
- Empty the bins and move small appliances off the kitchen counters.
- Put pet bowls out of the way.
- Leave a short note with your top priorities, or show the cleaner the two areas you most want done first.
Pro Tip: Keep one spare basket by the front door. Anything you cannot place in a hurry goes in the basket and stays out of the cleaner's way.
How do you keep pets safe and arrange access if you are out?
Pets and cleaning equipment do not mix well, and a stressed animal is unsafe for itself and for the operative. For deeper guidance, our post on keeping pets safe during cleaning covers more.
- Contain pets in a spare room, crate or secure outdoor area if their temperament allows, with water and a comfortable spot.
- Tell us about reactive animals, food sensitivities and any area that must stay off-limits.
- Never leave pets loose and anxious while cleaners work.
- If you will be out, agree an access method: a door code, a key left with a neighbour or a lockbox, and confirm the exact plan in writing.
What should you lock away, and what do we bring?
Before the visit, store jewellery, passports, cash and sentimental items in a locked drawer or safe. Mention fragile pieces such as antiques and heirlooms so the team can steer clear of them.
- Ask ahead which equipment and products the cleaners will bring, and whether you need to provide anything. Ask ahead if you need a specialist product.
- Extras such as inside the oven, inside the fridge, ironing and laundry are priced separately, which is why they are worth deciding on early. Our professional cleaning checklist shows what is standard and what is an add-on.
- Flag anything delicate, from a glass cabinet to a vintage rug.
How do you brief your cleaner on priorities?
A clear brief turns a good clean into the clean you wanted. Send it as a booking message or leave a note on the counter.
- Open with the top one or two priorities, such as "kitchen surfaces and both bathrooms first".
- Add room-by-room notes in this shape: room, two tasks, off-limit items.
- State whether you want dishes, laundry, ironing or oven and fridge work, and check which of these are extras.
- Make the note visible, or message ahead, so the cleaner arrives already briefed.
For a sense of what a visit normally covers, see what cleaners do in a typical home.
What will cleaners not do, and why?
Some jobs are unsafe for a routine domestic visit. The cleaning and hygiene operative standard describes operatives following standard operating procedures and complying with Health and Safety and COSHH guidance, which is why a team may refuse a hazardous task.
- Biohazards such as pet waste, human waste, blood and active mould need specialist handling.
- Tell us in advance about infestations, heavy dust from building work and sharps so we can plan sensibly.
- If decontamination is needed, hire a trained remediation service instead of a routine cleaner.
Professional cleaners cannot safely clean biohazards such as pet waste or mould, so these must be cleared before the team arrives, with specialist remediation for decontamination.
Which tasks can you skip?
Less effort is needed than most people think.
- You do not need to deep-clean first. Professionals expect a lived-in home and clean to the agreed checklist.
- Hours of pre-cleaning rarely help and can hide the true scope of work.
- Never conceal a problem that needs specialist attention. Full disclosure avoids awkward surprises on the day.
Why does a short prep routine help everyone?
When you clear the way, we can work through our checklist more reliably, and you get better value from every paid hour. Contact us to ask about our cleaners, booking process and what happens if you are unhappy with the service. Ask us anything when you book, and make this checklist a habit before every visit.
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Ready for a clean without the stress?
Once your home is prepped, we handle the rest. Our fixed prices are shown online before you book, with no hidden fees, and all products and equipment are included. Domestic cleaning starts from £17.5 per hour (see prices), and deep cleaning starts from £119 as a one-off (see prices). Pick your service, choose a slot, and check the full price list to book online today.
FAQ
How do you prep for cleaners quickly?
Declutter surfaces, pick items off the floor, lock away valuables and tell the cleaner your top priorities. A quick tidy on the morning of the visit can help, but you do not need to clean beforehand. You do not need to clean beforehand.
Should you wash the dishes before the cleaners arrive?
Only if you want to. Washing up can be an extra task, so confirm the cleaner's policy when you book and decide whether to leave it or do it yourself.
Should you be home when the cleaners come?
No. You can agree an access method in advance, such as a door code, a neighbour holding a key or a lockbox. Confirm the exact plan in writing so everyone knows what to expect.
Do you need to move pets out of the way?
Yes, where possible. Keep pets in a spare room, crate or secure outdoor area with water and a comfortable spot, and tell the team about any reactive animals.
Sources
- CLEANING AND HYGIENE OPERATIVE
- What To Do Before A House Cleaner Comes To Clean Your Home | HuffPost UK Life
- Thebalmoregroup