How to Prepare for a Cleaner: Before Each Visit

When you book a cleaner, you're paying for their time and skill. The more of that time they spend actually cleaning, rather than moving piles of washing or working out which product goes on your stone benchtop, the better the result. Knowing how to prepare for a cleaner doesn't mean cleaning before the cleaner arrives. It means clearing the way so they can do what they do best. This guide covers what to do before the first visit, a quick routine for regular visits, and how to communicate what matters most to you.

Before the First Visit

Agree on the scope

Before your first clean, make sure you and the cleaning company agree on: • Which rooms are included, and whether any are off-limits. • The tasks in each room. For example, does the kitchen clean include the inside of the microwave? Is making beds included? • Any extras, such as the inside of the oven, the fridge, windows or balconies. • How long the visit is expected to take. A written checklist helps both sides. If you're booking a first-time deep clean before regular visits, see what a full house deep clean usually covers.

Sort out access

• Decide whether you'll be home, or whether the cleaner will need a key, a lockbox or a door code. • Tell them about alarms, gate codes, parking restrictions and building access in apartment complexes. • If you're in a strata building, check whether contractors need to sign in or use a particular lift.

Talk about products and equipment

Most professional cleaners bring their own equipment and products. Our article on whether cleaners provide equipment explains the usual arrangements. Tell them if: • You have surfaces that need special care, such as natural stone, timber, marble, unsealed tiles or high-gloss finishes. • Anyone in the household has allergies, asthma or sensitivities to fragrances. • You'd prefer certain products to be used, or avoided. • You'd like them to use your vacuum or mop, for example for a ducted vacuum system.

Point out anything fragile or valuable

Show the cleaner any delicate items, antiques, artworks or electronics that shouldn't be touched or moved. Put away jewellery, cash, medication and important documents. This protects your belongings and the cleaner.

Before Every Visit: A 10-Minute Routine

Declutter surfaces

Cleaners can wipe a bench in seconds. Clearing a bench covered in mail, school notes and chargers takes much longer, and many cleaners won't move personal paperwork. Before each visit: • Clear kitchen benches and the dining table. • Pick up clothes, toys and shoes from floors. • Put away dishes, or at least stack them in the sink or dishwasher. • Clear bathroom vanities of toiletries you use daily.

Make the floors accessible

Vacuuming and mopping are some of the most valuable tasks a cleaner does. Pick up items from the floor, push chairs in, and move anything you don't want vacuumed, such as cables or small rugs with fringes.

Handle pets

• Keep pets in a separate room, the backyard or a crate during the visit if they're anxious, very friendly, or likely to escape through an open door. • Pick up pet bowls and toys from the floor. • Tell the cleaner about pet accidents or areas with heavy hair, so they can bring the right attachments.

Leave notes for priorities

If something matters to you this visit, such as guests arriving, a spill on the carpet, or the shower glass, leave a short note or send a message. Cleaners work to a schedule, so knowing your priority helps them spend time where you want it.

Room-by-Room Quick Prep

Kitchen

Load or stack the dishes, put food away, and clear the benches and stovetop. If you'd like the inside of the fridge cleaned, throw out old food first so the cleaner isn't deciding what to keep.

Bathrooms

Put away toiletries, razors and medication, hang up or remove used towels, and leave fresh towels out if you'd like them hung. Clear the bath and shower ledges so they can be scrubbed properly.

Bedrooms

Put clothes in the wash basket or wardrobe. If you want beds changed, leave clean sheets on the bed or in an obvious spot. Clear bedside tables of anything you don't want moved.

Kids' rooms and play areas

Pack toys into tubs or baskets. Cleaners generally won't sort toys or decide what goes where, so a quick pack-up gives them clear floors to vacuum.

Home office

Leave papers in neat piles or put them away, and tell the cleaner whether they can wipe your desk and keyboard. Many people prefer their desk left alone.

Keep a running list

Keep a note on your phone or the fridge of things you notice during the week, such as a mark on the wall, a dusty fan or the balcony door tracks. Pass the list on before the next visit so small jobs don't get forgotten, and so your cleaner can plan their time.

Things You Don't Need to Do

You don't need to: • Clean before the cleaner arrives. Tidying is helpful, scrubbing isn't necessary. • Stay home during the visit, unless you want to. • Buy special products, unless you have specific preferences. • Apologise for the mess. Cleaners have seen it all.

Communicating Well With Your Cleaner

Good communication is what turns an okay clean into a great one. • Give feedback early. If something was missed or not done the way you like, say so after the first few visits. It's much easier to adjust early. • Be specific. "The bathroom wasn't clean" is hard to act on. "There was still soap scum on the shower screen" is easy to fix. • Say what you liked. Positive feedback helps the cleaner know what to keep doing. • Update them on changes. New pets, renovations, or rooms you've stopped using all affect the job. • Give notice if you need to cancel or reschedule.

Preparing for Special Cleans

Some cleans need extra preparation:

Moving in or out

Empty rooms are easiest to clean. For a move-out clean, have your belongings removed first. For a move-in clean, book it before the removalists arrive. Our move-in cleaning checklist explains what to cover.

Before an event

Book the clean a day or two before guests arrive, and clear the main living areas so the cleaner can focus on them.

After renovations

Ask whether the company offers post-construction cleaning, as builders' dust needs different equipment and more time than a regular clean.

Book a Cleaner Who Listens

Our house cleaning service starts with a conversation about your home, your priorities and anything that needs special care. If you're still deciding how often to book, our guide to weekly vs fortnightly house cleaning can help. Contact iCleanPro to arrange your first visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I clean before the cleaner comes?

No. A quick tidy of surfaces and floors helps, but you don't need to clean. That's what you're paying for.

Do I need to be home when the cleaner arrives?

Not necessarily. Many clients provide a key or lockbox code. Being home for the first visit can be helpful to walk through your priorities.

Should I tip my cleaner in Australia?

Tipping isn't expected in Australia. If you'd like to show appreciation, positive feedback or a review is always welcome.

What should I put away before a cleaner comes?

Valuables, cash, medication, important documents and anything fragile or sentimental. Also clear clutter from benches and floors so the cleaner can reach the surfaces.

How to Prepare for a House Cleaner (So You Get More From Each Visit)