How to prepare for housecleaning
May 3, 2023 3:19 PM Subscribe
For the first time ever, I'm getting my house professionally cleaned on Friday. My house really needs it. I know I have to tidy up before they get here, but what exactly does that tidying up include?
I'm dealing with some depression and executive dysfunction these days, which is a large part of the reason why I'm getting professional housecleaning. This also means that I am not doing a good job of figuring out how best to get things situated before the house cleaners get here. Also, this is Very New, and I am anxious about doing the wrong thing or causing problems for the cleaners who come.
One major concern I have are counters. I don't have a lot of storage space in my house, so there are a lot of things that live on my counters: rice cooker, coffee and coffee maker, bowls with onions and citrus, etc. What am I supposed to do with all of these things? There isn't some closet or cupboard I can stuff them into for a short while. Can the cleaners actually clean my counters, if there's some stuff left out? Will it be annoying for them?
Similarly, the bathtub: what am I supposed to do with my soaps, shampoos, etc? Leave them out, or find a place to stash them?
Basically, I guess, my question is: what exactly is involved in 'decluttering' the house before the housecleaning? But, also, what else should I do to prepare?
I'm dealing with some depression and executive dysfunction these days, which is a large part of the reason why I'm getting professional housecleaning. This also means that I am not doing a good job of figuring out how best to get things situated before the house cleaners get here. Also, this is Very New, and I am anxious about doing the wrong thing or causing problems for the cleaners who come.
One major concern I have are counters. I don't have a lot of storage space in my house, so there are a lot of things that live on my counters: rice cooker, coffee and coffee maker, bowls with onions and citrus, etc. What am I supposed to do with all of these things? There isn't some closet or cupboard I can stuff them into for a short while. Can the cleaners actually clean my counters, if there's some stuff left out? Will it be annoying for them?
Similarly, the bathtub: what am I supposed to do with my soaps, shampoos, etc? Leave them out, or find a place to stash them?
Basically, I guess, my question is: what exactly is involved in 'decluttering' the house before the housecleaning? But, also, what else should I do to prepare?
Sometimes, decluttering can be that you stuff all the papers and things that are out into a laundry basket, or box, so that the cleaning people can do their thing. Then, you deal with the stuff later. This is especially helpful in my life for shower stuff, so they're not trying to work around things, and the can focus on my grout.
posted by kellyblah at 3:29 PM on May 3, 2023 [14 favorites]
posted by kellyblah at 3:29 PM on May 3, 2023 [14 favorites]
I think it’s perfectly fine to leave the things you mention out, especially since that’s where those things ‘live’. It may take the cleaners longer to clean if there is a lot of clutter, in which case you’d get less bang for your buck if they charge by hour. Doesn’t sound like your place is overly cluttered.
posted by iamsuper at 3:31 PM on May 3, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by iamsuper at 3:31 PM on May 3, 2023 [3 favorites]
Stuff that lives on the counter or in the shower can absolutely stay out. If you can put away things that aren't in their place, that will help the cleaners and, importantly, save you having to look for them. That said, at have a toddler and two adults who are bad at putting things in their places and the cleaner just moves things into piles as needed. Occasionally annoying to find things later, bit not too bad.
The other thing is, if you'll be gone during the cleaning, you can discreetly check if there's an area important to you that the cleaner missed because something was in the way and say something like, "sorry about the X, I've moved it, do you mind doing the area behind it?" Most cleaners should be fine with this
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 3:31 PM on May 3, 2023
The other thing is, if you'll be gone during the cleaning, you can discreetly check if there's an area important to you that the cleaner missed because something was in the way and say something like, "sorry about the X, I've moved it, do you mind doing the area behind it?" Most cleaners should be fine with this
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 3:31 PM on May 3, 2023
In my experience, cleaners will absolutely move your stuff to clean under it, but they will put it back wherever it makes sense to them, which may not be where it makes sense to you. So "tidying" is actually more about putting things where they go so you can find them afterwards. If they don't have somewhere that they go, just be prepared that they may not be where you expect when the cleaning is done! Sometimes this is helpful—when I was a kid we had a cleaner who would fold my security blanket and leave it under my pillow, and after a panic the first time when I didn't know where it was, I had to admit that was a perfect place for it and adopted this habit myself. Anyway tl;dr I leave tons of stuff out during our occasional pro cleanings and I just prepare myself for having to rearrange my newly-dusted items into the positions I prefer. Beats dusting!
Other stuff: Get cash if possible. Make sure you've asked them if there's any supplies they'd like you to provide, that your vacuum cleaner/brooms/mops are easily accessible if they're not bringing their own, and that you've asked if they'd like you to wear a mask. Think about if there's any stuff you don't want them to touch, and convey that clearly (I learned the hard way that I need to warn them that anything sitting in the dishwasher is dirty and should NOT be put away). Finally, have a plan for keeping out of their way and keeping pets out of their way. I always kind of go into host mode (e.g. I offer to get them a coffee every time even though they never say yes) but it's not a host/guest relationship—you can do the most good by conveying any important notes up front and then not being underfoot!
posted by babelfish at 3:33 PM on May 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
Other stuff: Get cash if possible. Make sure you've asked them if there's any supplies they'd like you to provide, that your vacuum cleaner/brooms/mops are easily accessible if they're not bringing their own, and that you've asked if they'd like you to wear a mask. Think about if there's any stuff you don't want them to touch, and convey that clearly (I learned the hard way that I need to warn them that anything sitting in the dishwasher is dirty and should NOT be put away). Finally, have a plan for keeping out of their way and keeping pets out of their way. I always kind of go into host mode (e.g. I offer to get them a coffee every time even though they never say yes) but it's not a host/guest relationship—you can do the most good by conveying any important notes up front and then not being underfoot!
posted by babelfish at 3:33 PM on May 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
As a simple rule anything that belongs where it is (like appliances or shampoo bottles) should be left where it is. Anything that is not where it belongs is a candidate for being put back.
But don't stress it much either way. Professional cleaners have likely dealt with much much worse.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 3:35 PM on May 3, 2023
But don't stress it much either way. Professional cleaners have likely dealt with much much worse.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 3:35 PM on May 3, 2023
Oh hi! I also have a tiny house (tiny kitchen! tiny bathroom!) so I know exactly what you're talking about. Here's what I do:
For the kitchen: Consolidate what's on the counter. So leave the toaster, coffee maker, etc. as is. For the bowls of fruits and veggies, I just decide if I can consolidate those into fewer bowls, even if temporarily. If not, I leave as is. Any other loose items on counter, sink, dish rack, etc. I put away as much as possible.
For the bathroom: Again, consolidate. If you can consolidate some of the bathroom stuff into a caddy or bowl or anything like that, do so. If not, leave as is.
Generally, in the household: Clear off flat surfaces as much as you can. If you have paperwork that's laying about, can it be put into one stack? Clear off floors as much as is reasonable, so they can sweep or mop. For me that does mean I find (temporary) spots for the pile of shoes that's usually by the front door.
One overlooked "spot to put stuff on while the cleaning happens" for me is on top of my bed, because my cleaner doesn't change my sheets or make my bed (I'm fine with that). So I've got that whole flat surface at my disposal for storing stuff that makes it easier for the cleaner to clean in my kitchen, bathroom, dining table, etc.
You're gonna love having a freshly cleaned home!
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:36 PM on May 3, 2023 [3 favorites]
For the kitchen: Consolidate what's on the counter. So leave the toaster, coffee maker, etc. as is. For the bowls of fruits and veggies, I just decide if I can consolidate those into fewer bowls, even if temporarily. If not, I leave as is. Any other loose items on counter, sink, dish rack, etc. I put away as much as possible.
For the bathroom: Again, consolidate. If you can consolidate some of the bathroom stuff into a caddy or bowl or anything like that, do so. If not, leave as is.
Generally, in the household: Clear off flat surfaces as much as you can. If you have paperwork that's laying about, can it be put into one stack? Clear off floors as much as is reasonable, so they can sweep or mop. For me that does mean I find (temporary) spots for the pile of shoes that's usually by the front door.
One overlooked "spot to put stuff on while the cleaning happens" for me is on top of my bed, because my cleaner doesn't change my sheets or make my bed (I'm fine with that). So I've got that whole flat surface at my disposal for storing stuff that makes it easier for the cleaner to clean in my kitchen, bathroom, dining table, etc.
You're gonna love having a freshly cleaned home!
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:36 PM on May 3, 2023 [3 favorites]
I wouldn't worry at all about a rice cooker or bowls of fruit on the counter, or about having stuff in the shower. Both of those should be very par for the course for house-cleaners. It might mean that cleaning takes a bit longer, since there's more for them to shift out of the way and work around, but it probably won't be significant.
I think what I do before a cleaner comes is less "decluttering" and more "straightening" -- mostly I just deal with the stuff that I know what to do with, but just don't usually actually keep up with. The same kinds of things I might try to do before I have friends over, with the exception of the actual scrub/dust/vacuum.
So, for example, the kinds of things that I did before the most recent visit from my cleaner:
- put away the pile of "I might wear this again before I wash it" clothes next to the bed
- sort through the pile of mail on the dining room table and either put it in recycling or move it to a box on my desk
- break down my pile of boxes and put them in the recycling
- gather all the empty glasses and such and get them washed or into the dishwasher
- my cleaner folds laundry for me, so make sure everything has been washed and is ready to fold
Some of this really depends on the individual cleaner, too! Some cleaners will help figure out ways to organize and put things away while they work. Some will just dust around whatever is sitting on the shelves. Some will move the stuff to clean/dust around it and mostly put it back in the same spot. Some are pretty happy to work in either way and can adjust to your preferences. A lot of this may also vary depending on whether you have a specific person who will get to know you and your house, vs. a one-time clean or a cleaning service where you might have a different person each time.
For the first visit especially, be prepared to talk to your cleaner a bit about what your priorities are for the cleaning and how you want them to deal with your stuff.
posted by duien at 3:46 PM on May 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
I think what I do before a cleaner comes is less "decluttering" and more "straightening" -- mostly I just deal with the stuff that I know what to do with, but just don't usually actually keep up with. The same kinds of things I might try to do before I have friends over, with the exception of the actual scrub/dust/vacuum.
So, for example, the kinds of things that I did before the most recent visit from my cleaner:
- put away the pile of "I might wear this again before I wash it" clothes next to the bed
- sort through the pile of mail on the dining room table and either put it in recycling or move it to a box on my desk
- break down my pile of boxes and put them in the recycling
- gather all the empty glasses and such and get them washed or into the dishwasher
- my cleaner folds laundry for me, so make sure everything has been washed and is ready to fold
Some of this really depends on the individual cleaner, too! Some cleaners will help figure out ways to organize and put things away while they work. Some will just dust around whatever is sitting on the shelves. Some will move the stuff to clean/dust around it and mostly put it back in the same spot. Some are pretty happy to work in either way and can adjust to your preferences. A lot of this may also vary depending on whether you have a specific person who will get to know you and your house, vs. a one-time clean or a cleaning service where you might have a different person each time.
For the first visit especially, be prepared to talk to your cleaner a bit about what your priorities are for the cleaning and how you want them to deal with your stuff.
posted by duien at 3:46 PM on May 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
We’ve gotten in the habit of putting toothbrushes in the medicine cabinet just so we’re not paranoid afterward that they’ve gotten sprayed with cleaning product…
posted by staggernation at 4:20 PM on May 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by staggernation at 4:20 PM on May 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
The number one rule you must know when dealing with cleaning people is: If you don't put your stuff away, you cleaning people certainly will, sometimes to your great regret. And your definition of what "put stuff away" means, and most especially the location of where said stuff gets put away, is often extremely different than your cleaning service.
I don't even mean stuff might be stolen or accidentally thrown away, just that "surely they will assume X will go in location Y!" thinking will lead to your stuff going missing for days/weeks/years/forever. For me, this is the worst in my kitchen. I get my our cleaned once a week, and I spend at least an hour on Wednesday mornings making sure everything that needs to be put away is already put away before I leave for the office.
posted by Back At It Again At Krispy Kreme at 4:45 PM on May 3, 2023
I don't even mean stuff might be stolen or accidentally thrown away, just that "surely they will assume X will go in location Y!" thinking will lead to your stuff going missing for days/weeks/years/forever. For me, this is the worst in my kitchen. I get my our cleaned once a week, and I spend at least an hour on Wednesday mornings making sure everything that needs to be put away is already put away before I leave for the office.
posted by Back At It Again At Krispy Kreme at 4:45 PM on May 3, 2023
I would say if you’re going through stuff and cannot tidy, just let it be. The cleaners are professionals and they will manage. Just set expectations that they might spend more time doing some tidying along with the cleaning. You could also just let them know what they can move or areas where they should just clean around stuff. Some days I have the time and super organize before the cleaners come, some days I am too tired to bother. It’ll even out, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Either way my house feels cleaner than I can get it and it’s a win.
posted by inevitability at 5:06 PM on May 3, 2023
posted by inevitability at 5:06 PM on May 3, 2023
First, do a pass to collect and put away personal items that you can't or shouldn't expect cleaners to handle and/or create a scenario in which housecleaners could be accused of wrongdoing: Financial paperwork, checkbooks/bank cards, cash, dirty underwear, sex toys, used tissues. Do a second pass for things YOU know are trash or otherwise to be removed from the house but a cleaner wouldn't - anything you've been "meaning" to get rid of, broken items, recycling. Just to get that stuff out of their way and not waste your money on having your recycling reorganized.
THEN look for kitchen and bath clutter that could maybe be moved or consolidated. Your rice cooker isn't so much the trouble, but if you have a lot of small clutter on the counter where it would be a challenge to move it to clean, handle that.
Assuming they're not doing bedding, your bed can be a reserve island for stuff you just would rather move out of their way. For this first visit, there's probably going to be stuff you don't really have time to think about/deal with. And that's okay - it'll be easier to deal with them after they're done, before next time.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:06 PM on May 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
THEN look for kitchen and bath clutter that could maybe be moved or consolidated. Your rice cooker isn't so much the trouble, but if you have a lot of small clutter on the counter where it would be a challenge to move it to clean, handle that.
Assuming they're not doing bedding, your bed can be a reserve island for stuff you just would rather move out of their way. For this first visit, there's probably going to be stuff you don't really have time to think about/deal with. And that's okay - it'll be easier to deal with them after they're done, before next time.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:06 PM on May 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
1. Empty your dishwasher if it’s full of clean dishes. Otherwise the cleaners will empty it for you and you’ll struggle to find things
2. Hand wash any dishes that need special treatment (fine china, chef knife, etc). Stuff that you’d be sad to find in the dishwasher
3. Put away any item that has a home. Otherwise your items may be consolidated into mystery piles
Conversely, there are some messes that are great to make before the cleaners come. Wash the dog? Sure! Carry items all around the house with your shoes on? OK! Feel free to get some of that stuff out of your system.
posted by shock muppet at 5:48 PM on May 3, 2023
2. Hand wash any dishes that need special treatment (fine china, chef knife, etc). Stuff that you’d be sad to find in the dishwasher
3. Put away any item that has a home. Otherwise your items may be consolidated into mystery piles
Conversely, there are some messes that are great to make before the cleaners come. Wash the dog? Sure! Carry items all around the house with your shoes on? OK! Feel free to get some of that stuff out of your system.
posted by shock muppet at 5:48 PM on May 3, 2023
Don’t stress yourself out. Leave the mess. People above who say stuff gets put away in weird places - I have never experienced this. I might need to like open one extra drawer before I find an oven mitt but nothing has ever taken more than 30 seconds to find. Maybe sometimes my clothes are in a different drawer than usual, but they are at least in a drawer. And they’re very unlikely to throw your stuff away. Cleaners see horrible hoarder and vermin type messes, your depression mess is normal and definitely fine.
Just get a box or laundry hamper. Walk around the house one room at a time, and if there’s anything you wouldn’t want a careful stranger to see or touch, put it in the box.
special dishes - hand wash and put away.
super fragile sentimental item - post it note saying please do not touch
papers - put them in a drawer.
intimate stuff - put it in a drawer.
cash - put it in your backpack.
Take a photo of your jewellery, or hide it, or put it in your backpack.
There, you’re done!
It’s ok to show them around and then just leave the house while they work - go to the library or get a coffee and come home to luxury!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:22 PM on May 3, 2023
Just get a box or laundry hamper. Walk around the house one room at a time, and if there’s anything you wouldn’t want a careful stranger to see or touch, put it in the box.
special dishes - hand wash and put away.
super fragile sentimental item - post it note saying please do not touch
papers - put them in a drawer.
intimate stuff - put it in a drawer.
cash - put it in your backpack.
Take a photo of your jewellery, or hide it, or put it in your backpack.
There, you’re done!
It’s ok to show them around and then just leave the house while they work - go to the library or get a coffee and come home to luxury!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:22 PM on May 3, 2023
You do what you want.
We always pick up, but leave bowls of fruit on the counter, etc - sounds pretty much like your place.
But I was once at a neighbors as their cleaners were arriving, and their place was a DISASTER, with counters and floors and sofas and tables absolutely covered with toys and books and clothes and papers. Their cleaners just moved stuff around or lifted it up, cleaned, and put it back.
So as others said, you are picking up in part to make it easier for the cleaners, which means that they can do more cleaning and less picking up, but mostly so when you come home, you don't have a house that has no dust but looks awful.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 8:17 AM on May 4, 2023
We always pick up, but leave bowls of fruit on the counter, etc - sounds pretty much like your place.
But I was once at a neighbors as their cleaners were arriving, and their place was a DISASTER, with counters and floors and sofas and tables absolutely covered with toys and books and clothes and papers. Their cleaners just moved stuff around or lifted it up, cleaned, and put it back.
So as others said, you are picking up in part to make it easier for the cleaners, which means that they can do more cleaning and less picking up, but mostly so when you come home, you don't have a house that has no dust but looks awful.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 8:17 AM on May 4, 2023
You don't have to clean up for the cleaners.
Except for what Lyn Never says above; From a tradesperson perspective, leaving in open view cash, expensive jewelry, bank statements, etc, openly lying around on top of desks/dressers is kinda rude and annoying. Just shove it in a drawer.
Also, as Lyn Never says, make sure to note which random crap goes into trash/recycling as opposed to getting re-organized.
posted by ovvl at 8:13 PM on May 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Except for what Lyn Never says above; From a tradesperson perspective, leaving in open view cash, expensive jewelry, bank statements, etc, openly lying around on top of desks/dressers is kinda rude and annoying. Just shove it in a drawer.
Also, as Lyn Never says, make sure to note which random crap goes into trash/recycling as opposed to getting re-organized.
posted by ovvl at 8:13 PM on May 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
One of the best things about having someone clean my house regularly was that they put the shit I didn't want to deal with in relatively neat piles. As long as it's not a biohazard situation, you need not overthink it.
posted by wierdo at 8:14 PM on May 4, 2023
posted by wierdo at 8:14 PM on May 4, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
Anything that could be easily mislaid, though -- like papers, say -- those should be put away before cleaners come. Things have to be in their place.
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:25 PM on May 3, 2023 [2 favorites]