How to Prepare Your Home Before the Cleaners Arrive
Spend 15–20 minutes on preparation before your cleaning appointment and the results will be noticeably better. The biggest improvements come from clearing surfaces (so cleaners can wipe without moving items back and forth), securing valuables and irreplaceable items, and communicating your priorities clearly. Don't pre-clean beyond that — you're paying for professionals to clean, not to clean before the professionals arrive.
What Actually Makes a Difference
Not all preparation is equally valuable. Here's where 15–20 minutes of prep pays off:
1. Clear Flat Surfaces in Key Rooms
The fastest way to improve cleaning results is clearing the counters, tables, and other flat surfaces where clutter accumulates. Cleaners can only wipe surfaces they can access — a counter covered with mail, vitamins, and coffee mugs takes 5 minutes to wipe properly; an empty counter takes 30 seconds.
Specific surfaces worth clearing:
- Kitchen counters (move appliances if possible, or at minimum clear areas around them)
- Bathroom counters (move toothbrushes, soap dispensers, and toiletry bottles to one corner or into a cabinet)
- Coffee table and end tables
- Nightstands
- Dining table
You do not need to completely empty every surface — just reduce clutter enough that cleaners have room to work.
2. Pick Up Floors
Clothing, shoes, toys, and stray items on the floor slow down vacuuming and mopping significantly. Cleaners will work around items but cannot vacuum effectively in a path blocked by scattered objects.
Quick floor pickup: a laundry basket carried room to room for 5 minutes collects most floor clutter. Put the basket in a closet; cleaners won't touch closed storage.
3. Put Away Dishes
Cleaners will not wash dishes (that's not in scope unless specifically arranged) but dirty dishes in the sink block access to the sink for cleaning. Stack dishes in the dishwasher or move to one side of the sink.
4. Secure Valuables and Irreplaceables
Not because KLY cleaners would take anything — our team is background-checked and bonded — but because cleaning involves moving items and accidents happen. Items that matter most to you should be secured before any cleaning visit:
- Jewelry and watches
- Cash
- Prescription medications
- Irreplaceable personal items (heirlooms, sentimental pieces)
- Documents with personal information
This is a reasonable precaution with any service provider in your home.
5. Note Your Priority Rooms or Areas
If you have specific concerns — the oven needs attention, the shower grout has buildup, there's a pet accident area in the bedroom — tell the team when they arrive. Five seconds of communication prevents a cleaning visit where the problem area gets the same attention as everything else.
What You Do NOT Need to Do
This is just as important as knowing what to do:
Do not pre-clean. You hired professionals to clean. If you feel you need to clean before the cleaners arrive, something is wrong with the framing. Your job is preparation, not pre-execution of the service.
Do not do dishes. Unless they're blocking access, leave them — that's what the next section covers.
Do not vacuum first. The cleaning team will vacuum. Doing it first wastes your time.
Do not apologize for the state of your home. Professional cleaners have seen every situation. There is no home too dirty — that's why you're calling.
Do not hide rooms. If a room needs cleaning but you're embarrassed about its state, include it. KLY cleaners are there to help, not to judge.
What to Tell Your Cleaning Team
A brief conversation when the team arrives (or a note if you won't be home) dramatically improves results:
- Priority rooms — "The kitchen and master bathroom are most important today"
- Specific problem areas — "The oven hasn't been cleaned in 6 months" or "There's a stain behind the door in the guest room"
- Products to avoid — "We have a cat, please avoid anything with pine oil" or "My partner has fragrance sensitivity"
- Access notes — "The second bedroom door sticks — you have to lift and push" or "The master bath light switch is inside the linen closet"
- Time constraints — if you need to leave by a specific time, say so at the start
- Children or pets during the visit — let the team know if anyone will be home
If You Won't Be Home During the Cleaning
Many KLY clients prefer to be out of the home during cleaning — the cleaning goes faster without household members moving around, and there's no obligation to interact with the team.
To set up a no-contact cleaning:
- Provide access code or lockbox key — communicate this when booking
- Leave a written note with any specific instructions or priorities
- Ensure pets are secured (in crate, backyard, or closed room)
- Confirm you've locked up any valuables
- Plan for payment if you're not present (KLY accepts payment by card on file)
After the cleaning, you'll receive a completion notification. If anything was missed or needs touch-up, contact us within 24 hours.
Preparing for a First-Time or Deep Clean
First-time visits require slightly more prep than regular ongoing cleans:
| Prep Step | Regular Visit | First-Time Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Surface clearing | Yes | Yes |
| Floor pickup | Yes | Yes |
| Dishes dealt with | Yes | Yes |
| Inside-cabinet clearing | Optional | For deep clean: empty target cabinets |
| Appliance clearing | Optional | For deep clean: empty fridge of old food, remove oven racks |
| Walk-through with team | Optional | Recommended |
| Written priority list | Optional | Recommended |
Keeping Pets Safe During a Cleaning Visit
Pets are safest in a separate area during professional cleaning for two reasons:
- Open doors during cleaning create escape opportunities
- Some cleaning products, while pet-safe, should not be contacted while still wet
Good pet arrangements during cleaning:
- Dogs in a backyard with a secure gate
- Dogs or cats in a bedroom (cleaners will skip that room until the pet can be moved)
- Dogs in a crate in a room not being cleaned
- Taking pets on a walk or errand during the cleaning
Tell the team about any pet arrangements — they'll adjust their room-by-room sequence accordingly.
After the Cleaners Leave
The most common post-cleaning follow-up:
Airing out: After some cleaning products are used in bathrooms or kitchens, brief ventilation speeds drying and clears any remaining product smell. Open a window for 15–30 minutes if weather permits.
Floor dry time: Mopped hard floors are slippery when wet. Allow 20–30 minutes before walking on mopped areas, especially in socks.
Feedback window: If anything was missed or needs attention, KLY's satisfaction guarantee covers return visits for areas flagged within 24 hours of service. Contact us the same day — don't wait.
Questions About Your First Appointment?
Call (651) 206-6757 or book your first visit online. We serve Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Eagan, Bloomington, and 46 more Twin Cities communities. Response within one hour during business hours.