You do not need to clean before the cleaner arrives. However, a small amount of preparation helps the team use paid time on dust, grease, bathrooms and floors rather than searching for access or moving everyday items.
Confirm the scope
Before the appointment, check:
- Rooms included
- Priority tasks
- Optional services
- Expected arrival window
- Pricing basis
- Products and equipment
- Parking and entry
- Cancellation terms
If the property’s condition has changed since the quote, send an update. Additional guests, building work or an unexpected appliance clean can affect the time required.
Reduce surface clutter
Move personal items from the surfaces you want cleaned:
- Bathroom toiletries
- Kitchen papers and small items
- Children’s toys
- Clothing
- Important documents
- Fragile decorations
Place items in their correct storage rather than pushing everything into one room that is also part of the clean.
Decluttering is different from cleaning. The aim is simply to expose surfaces and floors.
Deal with dishes and food
Unless washing up is explicitly included:
- Load or wash dishes
- Clear food-preparation areas
- Put food away
- Empty the sink
- Identify any appliance that should be cleaned
A sink full of dishes can prevent proper access to the basin and worktops.
Secure valuables and sensitive information
Put away:
- Cash and jewellery
- Passports and personal documents
- Medicines
- Financial paperwork
- Work information
- Small valuable electronics
This protects privacy and reduces the risk of accidental movement. Tell the cleaner about any room or cupboard that is out of bounds.
Make a short priority list
Choose two or three results that matter most. For example:
- Bathroom limescale
- Kitchen grease
- Floor edges
- Guest bedroom
- Pet hair in the living room
A clear priority list is more useful than an unranked list of every possible task, particularly for an hourly deep clean.
Our guide to what a professional deep clean includes can help you build a realistic scope.
Prepare access and utilities
Ensure:
- The correct address and postcode are provided
- Parking instructions are accurate
- Keys, codes or a contact person are available
- Electricity and water are working
- Rooms are safely accessible
- Alarms are explained
- Building restrictions are known
Do not send sensitive access information through an unsecured public channel.
Plan for pets
Even friendly animals may be distressed by unfamiliar people or vacuum noise. Place pets in a secure, comfortable area and tell the team:
- Which animals are present
- Where they will be
- Whether any door must remain closed
- Where food bowls or litter areas are located
The cleaner should not be responsible for preventing an unsecured pet from escaping.
Identify delicate or damaged surfaces
Point out:
- Natural stone
- Unsealed wood
- Specialist appliance finishes
- Antique or fragile furniture
- Loose fittings
- Existing cracks or chips
- Products that must not be used
Keep manufacturer instructions available where treatment is uncertain. Stronger chemicals are not automatically better.
Provide space to work
If possible:
- Keep children and occupants away from active work areas
- Move vehicles if access is needed
- Make the vacuum and mop route clear
- Allow ventilation
- Avoid scheduling maintenance at the same time
Cleaners work more efficiently when they are not repeatedly stopping for other contractors or occupied rooms.
At the end of the clean
If you are present, review priority areas promptly. If something from the agreed scope appears missed, report it within the company’s stated time and provide a clear photograph.
Remember that cleaning cannot correct permanent stains, wear, damage or unresolved maintenance issues.
RelyPro provides deep cleaning in Derby from an agreed checklist and cleaner-hour estimate. Good preparation helps us spend that time on the details that matter most to you.