Clear the surfaces you want cleaned
A cleaner can polish a worktop or work around a fortnight of post, but not both in the same minute. Clearing kitchen counters, bedside tables and the bathroom shelf before they arrive is the single biggest thing that buys you a better clean.
Do a quick tidy, not a clean
There's no need to clean before the cleaner — that rather defeats the point. But putting toys, clothes and clutter away lets them reach the floors and surfaces underneath. Think of it as a split: tidying is yours, cleaning is theirs.
Flag anything specific
If the spare room can be skipped, a new worktop needs a gentle product, or there's one mark you want dealt with first, say so at the start. A quick message beats hoping they'll guess, and means your priorities get the time.
- Rooms to skip, or rooms to focus on
- Anything fragile or sentimental to leave alone
- Products you'd rather they used — or avoided
- The one job that matters most this week
Sort access and pets
Decide how your cleaner gets in — you at home, a key, a key safe or a smart lock — and let them know ahead of the visit. If you've a dog or cat that frets around the vacuum, settling them in one room makes the whole thing easier.
What you don't need to do
You don't need a cupboard of products — we bring our own. You don't need to shift heavy furniture, and you really don't need to apologise for the state of the place; we've seen it all. You don't even need to be in. Plenty of our regulars are at work while we clean.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be home while the cleaner works?
No — many of our customers are at work during the visit. Be in, leave a key, use a key safe or a smart lock; whatever suits, just let us know in advance.
Should I clean before the cleaner arrives?
No. A quick tidy so surfaces and floors are clear helps, but the cleaning itself is our job — that's what you're paying for.
Do I need to provide cleaning products?
No, we bring everything. If you'd prefer we used a particular product — on a new worktop, say, or for allergy reasons — leave it out and let us know.
What about my dog?
We're used to pets. If yours is nervous around the vacuum, settling them in one room during the visit keeps everyone happy.