How to Prepare Your Home Before the Cleaners Arrive | My Clean Pros

A little preparation before your cleaning team arrives makes a meaningful difference in the quality of results. Not because we need you to pre-clean — that's our job — but because a few simple steps ensure we can clean efficiently and thoroughly rather than spending time on logistics. Here's what actually helps.

The Most Important Thing: Declutter Surfaces

The single most valuable thing you can do before a cleaning visit is clear flat surfaces — countertops, tables, nightstands, and floors — of the items that don't belong there. This includes:

• Dishes left on counters or in the sink
• Clothing on bedroom floors or furniture
• Toys, books, or items stacked on surfaces
• Papers, mail, or miscellaneous items on tables

When surfaces are clear, cleaners can actually clean them — wiping, disinfecting, and shining every inch rather than working around clutter. The difference in results is significant.

Secure Valuables and Irreplaceable Items

You don't need to distrust your cleaning team — but it's a good habit to put away items you'd be upset if anything happened to. This includes:

• Jewelry left out in bathrooms or on dressers
• Cash or credit cards on surfaces
• Fragile or irreplaceable decorative items
• Sensitive documents

Our teams are bonded and insured, but removing temptation and reducing the chance of accidental damage is sensible for everyone.

Secure or Crate Pets

If you have pets, it helps to confine them to one room or crate them during the cleaning. This is for several reasons:

• Some pets are anxious around strangers and cleaning equipment
• Pets underfoot slow the team down and increase the chance of accidents
• It allows us to clean all rooms without worrying about a pet escaping through a propped-open door

If your pet is calm with visitors and you prefer to let them roam, that's fine — just note it when you book so the team is prepared.

Make Access Simple

If you won't be home:

• Leave a key in a lockbox or provide a keypad code in advance
• If you live in a building with a doorman or access control, notify the front desk that cleaners are expected
• Make sure all rooms you want cleaned are accessible — unlocked and not blocked by furniture or stored items

Point Out Anything That Needs Special Attention

When booking, use the notes field to flag:

• Areas that need extra attention (a heavily used bathroom, a kitchen with significant grease buildup)
• Surfaces that require specific products or methods (original hardwood, natural stone, antique fixtures)
• Items to avoid or clean around
• Any recent changes (new furniture, renovation work, a pet that's been ill)

The team reads every note before arriving, so this is the best way to customize your clean without a phone call.

What You Don't Need to Do

A common misconception is that you need to pre-clean before the cleaners arrive. You don't. You shouldn't need to:

• Scrub the bathroom before we get there
• Wipe down counters
• Pre-vacuum
• Do the dishes (though clearing the sink helps)

That's exactly what we're there for. The only preparation that genuinely helps is decluttering surfaces so we can clean them, and making sure we have clear access to every room.

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