How to Prepare for a House Cleaner

You don't need to clean before the cleaner comes. But ten minutes of prep means your cleaner spends their time on the things you're paying for — scrubbing, dusting and floors — instead of moving clutter. Here's what to do before, during and after.

The night before: a 10-minute checklist

• Clear the kitchen counters and load the dishwasher
• Pick up clothes, toys and shoes from the floors
• Put away anything valuable, fragile or private
• Clear the bathroom counters of daily items
• Decide which rooms to skip, if any
• Make sure the cleaner can reach outlets for the vacuum

Access and parking

Many customers aren't home during the clean, so entry details matter:

• Door code, lockbox or key — add the details in your booking notes.
• Condo buildings — leave buzzer, fob or concierge instructions. In towers around Metrotown, Brentwood or downtown Vancouver, elevators often need a fob.
• Alarm — share the code or turn it off for the visit.
• Parking — tell us about visitor stalls or the best nearby spot, especially in the West End, Lonsdale or townhouse complexes with limited visitor parking.

Pets

Tell us about pets when you book. Dogs that are nervous around vacuums are happier in a closed room, a crate or out for a walk. Let us know about litter boxes or pet beds you'd like cleaned around — and about rooms pets shouldn't be let into.

Tell us your priorities

Your booking notes are the best way to make sure the clean focuses where you want it. Good notes are specific:

• "Please focus on the shower glass and the kitchen floor."
• "Skip the office — it's being used."
• "Use the products under the sink on the marble counters."
• "Fragile figurines on the living room shelf — please dust around them."

Your cleaner brings professional products and equipment. If you prefer scent-free or your own products, leave them out with a note.

What you don't need to do

• Buy cleaning products. Your cleaner brings professional products and equipment.
• Pre-clean. Wiping counters or scrubbing the tub before the cleaner arrives isn't necessary — that's their job.
• Hide every bit of mess. Tidying helps, but a lived-in home is exactly what we're there for.
• Stay home. Leave entry details and carry on with your day.
• Explain everything in person. Your booking notes go straight to your cleaner, and if you're on a recurring plan they carry over to every visit.

Booking a deep clean? Do a little more

For a deep clean, clear out any cabinets and drawers you want wiped inside, and remove expired food from the fridge. For a move-out clean, the home should be completely empty — see our BC move-out checklist.

Should you be home during the clean?

It's up to you. Many people head to work or run errands; others work from home. If you're home, let your cleaner know which room you'll be in so they can clean it first or last, and keep doors open to rooms they need to reach.

After the clean

• Walk through the home. If something was missed, tell us within 24 hours and we'll come back and fix it, free.
• Tipping is optional. You'll get a link after the clean if you'd like to leave one.
• Leave a review. If you were happy, a Google review helps a small local business more than you'd think.
• Book your next clean. A recurring plan saves up to 20% and keeps the same cleaner whenever possible.

Need to change plans? Cancel 24+ hours before your appointment for a full refund. We clean across Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster and 13 more cities.