First things first: you don't need to clean before the cleaners come. That's literally why we're here! But a few simple things can help us work more efficiently — which means better results for you.

Things That Actually Help

1. Clear Surfaces Where Possible

We can't properly clean a benchtop covered in mail, keys, and random bits and pieces. If you can, do a quick sweep of surfaces before we arrive:

Kitchen benchtops
Bathroom vanities
Bedside tables
Desks and tables

You don't need to put everything away perfectly — just consolidate items so we can access the surfaces.

2. Pick Up Clothes and Toys

Clothes on the floor, toys scattered everywhere, shoes in the hallway — these slow us down because we have to work around them (or move them ourselves, which takes time away from actual cleaning).

A quick 5-minute pickup before we arrive makes a big difference.

3. Do the Dishes (or Stack Them)

We don't wash dishes as part of a standard clean (unless specifically requested). If the sink is full of dirty dishes, we can't properly clean the sink and surrounding area.

Either run the dishwasher beforehand, or at least stack dishes neatly to one side so we can access the sink.

4. Let Us Know About Problem Areas

Got a stubborn stain? A spot that always gets missed? Something you'd like us to pay extra attention to? Tell us! We'd rather know upfront so we can plan accordingly.

5. Secure Pets

We love animals (we have Charlie the dog!), but pets can get in the way — or get stressed by strangers in the house. If possible:

Keep dogs in a separate room or outside
Let us know if cats are hiding somewhere we shouldn't disturb
Warn us about any pets that might be anxious or reactive

Things That Don't Matter

Don't Stress About the Mess

Seriously — we've seen it all. Your house doesn't need to be tidy for us to clean it. That's the whole point! Don't feel embarrassed about the state of things. We're here to help, not judge.

Don't Pre-Clean

Please don't scrub the bathroom before we arrive because you're worried about what we'll think. That's wasted effort on your part. Let us do what you're paying us for.

You Don't Need to Be Home

Many of our clients give us a key or access code and aren't home when we clean. That's totally fine — some people prefer it! Just let us know how to get in and any alarm codes we need.

Communication is Key

The best thing you can do is communicate with us:

First clean: Walk us through the house and point out anything specific
Ongoing: Text or message if anything changes or you have special requests
Feedback: Let us know if something wasn't quite right — we want to fix it!

We're not mind readers, but we're great listeners. The more you tell us, the better we can tailor the clean to your needs.

Quick Checklist

Before your cleaner arrives:

☐ Quick surface clear (benchtops, vanities)
☐ Clothes and toys off the floor
☐ Dishes done or stacked
☐ Pets secured
☐ Any special requests communicated
☐ Access arranged (key, code, someone home)

That's it! Five minutes of prep = a much more effective clean.

How to Prepare for Your Cleaner's Visit