What to do before your cleaner arrives

Not much. You don't need to clean before the cleaner comes, and you don't need to be home. A five-minute pick-up of clutter, a plan for keys and pets, and a heads-up about anything you want looked after first is all it takes to get the most out of the visit.

It's one of the most common questions we get from people booking a cleaner for the first time. Plenty of people admit they've cleaned the house before the cleaner arrives. You really don't have to. Here's what actually helps.

Should I tidy before the cleaner comes?

Tidy, a little. Clean, no. Cleaning is our job.

The reason a quick tidy helps is simple. Our 110 touch-point checklist is built around surfaces: benches wiped, splashbacks cleaned, floors vacuumed and mopped. The more of those surfaces are clear when we walk in, the more of the visit goes on cleaning rather than moving things around.

We'll straighten cushions and neaten the bits and pieces that live on a shelf. That's on the list. Sorting a pile of mail, putting away a load of washing or picking up a floor full of Lego isn't.

A five-minute pick-up before we arrive:

• Dishes into the dishwasher or stacked by the sink
• Toys, clothes and shoes off the floor
• Loose items off the kitchen and bathroom benches
• Anything valuable or fragile put somewhere you're happy for it to stay

That's it. If you run out of time, don't stress. We'll clean around what's there.

Sort out access

You don't need to be home while we clean. Plenty of our clients are at work.

If you'd like to give us a key, it's kept in a locked key box at our office. Keys are labelled with a code, never your name or address.

Let us know anything else we'll need to get in: gate codes, alarm details, where to park, or which door to use.

Still deciding who to let in? Here are the questions to ask when hiring a cleaner before you hand over a key.

Tell us about pets

If you've got pets, mention it when you book, and let us know whether they'll be inside or out on the day. It helps us plan the visit and makes sure nobody slips out the front door.

Tell us what matters most

A clean always goes better when we know what you care about.

• Priority areas. If the main bathroom is the one that bugs you, say so. We'll make sure it gets extra attention.
• Heavy furniture. For safety, our team doesn't lift or move heavy furniture. We'll clean around and under things wherever we can reach. If there's a spot behind the couch you want done, move it before we arrive or let us know so we can plan around it.
• Add-ons. Things like the oven, inside the fridge, internal windows and tracks, or making beds sit outside the standard checklist. Book them in ahead of time so we allow for them. Give us a call for current pricing.
• Your own products. We bring everything we need. If you'd prefer we use your products, tell us before the visit so we can check the safety information first.

Life happens

If you need to move or skip a clean, that's fine. Just give us notice in line with our terms and we'll sort out another day.

Your first visit is a little different

The first clean brings your home up to the standard we'll keep it at from then on, so it takes a bit longer. Some build-up won't lift on the first go. If that happens, we'll tell you honestly and keep working on it over the next few visits.

If you're not sure whether you need a regular clean or a reset first, we've explained the difference between a regular clean and a deep clean.

What you don't need to do

You don't need to buy products or equipment. We arrive with everything. And you don't need to pre-clean. If the house is a bit of a mess, that's exactly why we're coming.

Ready to book your first clean?

Tell us about your home and we'll come back with a fixed, no-obligation quote. Or get an instant price estimate in under a minute. Prefer to talk? Call us on 0435 348 434 or get in touch.

Find out more about our recurring home cleaning across the Hawkesbury.