Preparing Your Home for a Clean

A little preparation goes a long way in helping your cleaner work efficiently and deliver the best possible results. While your cleaner will handle the cleaning, spending a few minutes preparing your home means they can focus on what they do best - making your home sparkle.

General preparation

Before your cleaner arrives, we recommend:

• Do a quick tidy-up - put away items that are out of place so surfaces can be properly cleaned
• Clear worktops, tables, and other surfaces of clutter and personal items
• Pick up items from floors, especially in bedrooms and living areas
• Empty bins so your cleaner can reline them with fresh bags
• Load or unload the dishwasher so the kitchen sink area is accessible
• Put away clean laundry and place dirty laundry in a basket
• Open curtains and blinds to let in natural light

Securing valuables and personal items

While our cleaners are thoroughly vetted and trustworthy, we recommend securing valuables for your peace of mind:

• Store jewellery, watches, and expensive items in a safe or locked drawer
• Put away cash, credit cards, and important documents
• Secure passports, birth certificates, and other sensitive paperwork
• Lock away any items of sentimental value that are irreplaceable
• Consider a lockable drawer or cabinet for regular cleaning days

Kitchen preparation

Help your cleaner tackle the kitchen effectively:

• Clear worktops of appliances, utensils, and food items where possible
• Wipe down or rinse dishes before loading the dishwasher
• Empty the bin and replace the bag
• Put away any food left out on counters
• If you've booked oven cleaning, ensure the oven has cooled completely
• Clear the sink so it can be properly scrubbed

Bathroom preparation

Make bathroom cleaning more efficient by:

• Removing personal items from shower shelves and sink areas
• Hanging up towels or placing them in the laundry basket
• Putting away toiletries, makeup, and grooming products
• Removing bath mats if they need washing
• Ensuring adequate ventilation by opening a window or turning on the extractor fan

Bedroom preparation

For bedrooms, we suggest:

• Making the bed or stripping sheets if you'd like fresh bedding put on
• Picking up clothes from the floor and surfaces
• Clearing bedside tables of personal items
• Opening curtains to let light in
• If you'd like your cleaner to change bedding, leave fresh sheets out clearly

Pets

If you have pets, please consider:

• Securing dogs in a separate room, garden, or arranging for them to be out during the clean
• Letting us know about cats - some cleaners are allergic or some cats may be stressed by visitors
• Putting away pet food bowls and water dishes so floors can be mopped
• Cleaning up any pet accidents before your cleaner arrives
• Informing your cleaner about any pets that might be roaming free
• Noting any areas where pets are not allowed (so doors can be kept closed)

Cleaning supplies

By default, you'll need to provide basic cleaning supplies. Your cleaner will bring their own cloths and gloves, but we recommend having:

• All-purpose surface cleaner
• Bathroom cleaner
• Glass/mirror cleaner
• Toilet cleaner
• Mop and bucket
• Vacuum cleaner in good working order
• Bin bags

Don't have cleaning products?

No problem! You can add our supplies pack to your booking during checkout. Your cleaner will bring all the cleaning products needed - surface cleaners, bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner, and more. Please note that you'll still need to provide equipment such as a vacuum cleaner, mop, and bucket. The supplies pack is especially useful for first-time cleans or if you prefer not to stock cleaning products.

Access arrangements

If you won't be home during the clean, arrange access in advance. You can provide these details in the "Additional Information" section when booking, or contact our customer services team:

• Key safe - install a secure key safe outside your property and share the code
• Spare key with neighbour - leave a key with a trusted neighbour who can let your cleaner in
• Building concierge - if you live in a managed building, arrange access with the front desk
• Smart lock - share a temporary access code for the day of the clean
• Be home for the first clean - we recommend being present initially so you can show your cleaner around

Special instructions

Let us know about any special requirements by adding them to the "Additional Information" section when booking, or contact our customer services team:

• Alarm systems - provide codes and instructions for disarming/rearming
• Areas to avoid - rooms that shouldn't be entered or items not to be touched
• Delicate items - antiques, artwork, or fragile items needing special care
• Preferred products - if you have specific products you'd like used
• Allergies - if anyone in the household has allergies to certain cleaning products
• Priority areas - rooms or areas that are most important to you