How to Prepare Your Home Before Cleaners Arrive
Introduction: A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Hiring a cleaner is one of the best ways to save time, reduce stress, and keep your home looking great. But many Australians don’t realise that preparing your home before the cleaner arrives can make a massive difference — not only in the quality of the clean but also in the overall cost.
Whether you’re booking a regular clean, deep clean, spring clean, or end-of-lease clean, being prepared helps cleaners work efficiently and ensures you’re getting the best value for your money.
This guide will walk you through exactly what to do before cleaners arrive, what to avoid, and how to get the smoothest, highest-quality service possible.
1. Declutter Your Home — Cleaners Aren’t Organisers
The number one thing you can do before a cleaner arrives is to remove clutter.
Cleaners are hired to clean — not organise.
If they have to work around clutter, this slows them down and reduces how much they can get done.
Declutter Checklist:
✔ Pick up clothes
✔ Remove items from floors
✔ Tidy children’s toys
✔ Clear countertops
✔ Remove bathroom products
✔ Move paperwork and mail
✔ Empty laundry baskets
✔ Put shoes away
Why it matters:
- Cleaners can clean surfaces more thoroughly
- Less time is wasted moving items
- You often save money (hourly jobs finish faster)
- The final result is much better
A cleaner spends less time tidying and more time doing the detailed cleaning you’re paying for.
2. Put Away Fragile or Valuable Items
While professional cleaners are careful, accidents can happen — especially when working around glass, heirlooms, or expensive items.
Before cleaners arrive:
✔ Move fragile ornaments
✔ Pack away glass décor
✔ Secure expensive items
✔ Remove jewellery, watches & personal items
✔ Close and lock private drawers or cupboards if needed
This helps prevent accidental damage and ensures you feel comfortable with people working in your home.
3. Clear Kitchen and Bathroom Surfaces
Kitchen benches and bathroom counters are two of the easiest places to collect clutter — and they’re areas cleaners need to access properly.
Remove or tidy:
- Toothbrushes
- Razors
- Makeup
- Skincare
- Food items
- Dishes
- Small appliances
This allows cleaners to:
✔ disinfect surfaces thoroughly
✔ remove more grime
✔ clean faster and more effectively
You’ll get a better clean with less mess in the way.
4. Secure Your Pets
Pets can become stressed or excited around cleaners — especially with vacuum noise, unfamiliar people, and cleaning chemicals.
If you have pets:
✔ Place dogs in a separate room or outdoors
✔ Keep cats in a pet carrier or bedroom
✔ Let cleaners know you have pets ahead of time
✔ Remove pet bowls and litter boxes from cleaning zones
Why this matters:
- Pets stay safe
- Cleaners can work efficiently
- No interruptions or mess
- Reduces stress for everyone involved
5. Make Sure the Cleaner Has Access
This one sounds obvious, but access problems cause more delays than you think.
Before the cleaning day:
✔ Confirm your address
✔ Give gate or building codes
✔ Tell them about parking restrictions
✔ Provide clear instructions if you won’t be home
✔ Leave keys in a safe, agreed location
A cleaner who cannot access your home cannot clean — and some may still charge a call-out fee.
6. Run a Quick Rubbish Check
Overflowing rubbish bins make it harder for cleaners to work around the kitchen and bathrooms.
Before they arrive:
✔ Empty kitchen bin
✔ Empty bathroom bins
✔ Take out recycling
✔ Tie off loose rubbish bags
This reduces odours and gives cleaners a clear space to focus on their job.
7. Do a Very Light Pre-Clean (Optional but Helpful)
You don’t need to clean your whole house — that’s why you hired a cleaner — but a quick pre-clean helps.
Helpful things to do:
✔ Quick vacuum of heavy debris
✔ Wipe obvious spills
✔ Rinse dishes so sinks are clear
✔ Move furniture slightly for easier access
This makes the cleaning session more efficient and often improves the overall result.
8. Highlight Any Problem Areas
Communication leads to better results.
Before your cleaner starts, tell them if there are specific areas you want extra attention on.
Examples:
- “The shower screen needs extra scrubbing.”
- “Please focus on the kitchen today.”
- “The skirting boards need cleaning.”
- “There’s pet hair on the couch.”
Cleaners appreciate knowing your priorities — and you’ll be happier with the results.
9. Check In Before They Leave
Before the cleaner packs up, do a quick walk-through (if you’re home).
Look for:
✔ missed areas
✔ streaks on glass
✔ untouched corners
✔ uncleaned surfaces
✔ incomplete tasks
Most professional cleaners will happily fix small things on the spot.
If you’re not home, take a few minutes to inspect when you return, and message them promptly if anything needs attention.
10. Tips to Get Better Value From Every Cleaning Session
Here are a few smart ways to maximise value:
✔ Book a deep clean first
Regular cleans take less time and cost less once the home is reset.
✔ Keep clutter low between cleans
This reduces cleaning time and saves money.
✔ Choose flat-rate pricing for big cleans
No surprise costs.
✔ Compare 3–5 quotes
You avoid overpriced or low-quality cleaners.
✔ Maintain small tasks yourself
Quick wipe-downs and tidy-ups keep your home cleaner between visits.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your home before cleaners arrive isn’t about doing their job for them — it’s about setting the stage so they can deliver the best possible results.
A few simple steps like decluttering, securing pets, and clearing surfaces can drastically improve the quality of the clean while also reducing the time (and cost) involved.
With the right preparation, you’ll enjoy a smoother, more efficient cleaning service — and a fresher, cleaner home every single time.
