Do cleaners tidy up? Here’s how to prepare for house cleaner services.
Hiring a house cleaner or cleaning service is a great way for busy folks to regain some free time, but that doesn’t necessarily mean leaving everything around your home messy and undone for the cleaner to tackle. In order to reap the full benefits of cleaners — and in order for cleaners to be able to effectively do their job — some decluttering and general tidying is essential before they arrive on the job.
“Although every company has their own policies, it is important people know the difference between a housekeeping company and a cleaning company,” says Dalhsie McMullin, owner of Naturally Luxe Cleaning. “Housekeeping companies have a broader focus that encompasses the overall upkeep of a space, whereas cleaning companies focus more specifically on the sanitation and cleanliness of a space.” Put another way: Do cleaners tidy up? Generally, no. Instead, they concentrate on actual cleaning.
From toys and dishes to refrigerators and office spaces, here’s what house cleaners and cleaning services will and won’t do, along with tips for how to prepare for house cleaner services.
According to Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid, tidying up generally isn’t something cleaning companies do. While that’s not to say cleaners won’t pick up a few things here and there, the reason they do it is to be able to clean that area or space.
“For the most effective use of the cleaning team’s time, it is best if the homeowner does the tidying up prior to the cleaning team’s arrival,” Peterson explains. “Items like clothes, toys and dishes get in the way and prevent cleaning professionals from doing their best job.”
“For the most effective use of the cleaning team’s time, it is best if the homeowner does the tidying up prior to the cleaning team’s arrival.”
Bailey Carson, cleaning and home expert at Angi, echoes Peterson and adds that, in order to get the most out of a cleaning company, it’s worth it to tidy up beforehand. “While cleaning companies can help tidy up, it may be more valuable for them to spend their time focused on deeper cleaning,” she says. “When professional cleaners arrive to a tidy home, it helps ensure their services are being maximized and customers are getting the most out of the experience.”
Vacuuming and scrubbing surfaces is by no means necessary before a cleaning service arrives, but again, clearing areas will result in folks getting the most bang for their buck.
“Homeowners should focus on removing clutter from high-traffic spaces prior to their cleaning appointment, but they should not feel like they need to do any actual cleaning,” Peterson says. “Leave the hard work to the cleaning team!”
“Homeowners should focus on removing clutter from high-traffic spaces prior to their cleaning appointment, but they should not feel like they need to do any actual cleaning.”
To maximize a professional cleaner or cleaning service’s time, the following should be done before their arrival, according to Peterson, McMullin and Carson:
“Trust me,” McMullin says. “Cleaning services are much more efficient and effective in tidy spaces.”
In addition to decluttering, the following steps can help strengthen the client/cleaning service relationship:
“If there have been any changes to a space since a cleaning company’s last visit, like excess visitors, a new pet or a renovation, clients should let their cleaning team know.”
According to Peterson and McMullin, cleaners generally don’t do the following:
“Most cleaning businesses also have rules against cleaning anything that may present a safety hazard or anything over a certain height,” McMullin says. “Typically, it’s eight feet or anything that is unreachable safely with a stepladder.”
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