How to Prepare for House Cleaners

Everyone enjoys living in a clean, neat home. You may not always have the time to keep your home as clean as you would like, which is when an effective house cleaner can be helpful. While it may seem a bit silly to clean before house cleaners arrive, more time will be devoted to deep cleaning if you take some time to straighten up prior to their visit.

Things You'll Need

• Clear understanding of expectations
• Cleaning supplies (optional)
• List of household tasks

Instructions

1. Set up clear expectations with your house cleaner at your first meeting. It is helpful to provide a list of the things you expect to be done during each visit. Discuss what cleaning products will be used in your home, and whether you need to provide them. Ask your house cleaner for input on the list. Also ask your house cleaner about her expectations.

2. Take 20 to 30 minutes before the house cleaners arrive to pick up general clutter and clear the surfaces in your home. With extraneous items out of the way, your house cleaner will be able to spend more time cleaning rather than picking up.

3. Secure all valuables and put away any personal papers or items. You don't want something important to be mislaid or mistakenly thrown away.

4. Tell your house cleaner about your pets, house alarms, or any other special thing about working in your home. Arrange to be home or provide a key for the house cleaner.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask to see your house cleaner's liability policy, including dates of coverage and limits.