If you’ve ever felt the impulse to scrub every surface before your housekeeper arrives—much like thoroughly brushing and flossing right before a dentist appointment—you’re not alone. Many homeowners feel a bit of guilt at the thought of someone else cleaning their counters or vacuuming their floors. So, they perform a quick pre-clean to make things a little less embarrassing. The truth is that your housekeeper would rather you focus on other, more helpful tasks.
There are numerous things housekeepers wish their clients understood to make the cleaning process smoother, safer, and more effective. From handling pets to how the temperature can affect the work, these are the things your housekeeper won’t tell you, but absolutely wants you to know.
Marla Mock is the president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.
1. Tidy, But Don’t Clean
If you find yourself scrubbing the sink or mopping the floors before your housekeeper arrives, you should break the habit. According to Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, the best thing you can do is tidy, not clean.
“Clearing things like toys, clothes, dishes, or papers helps your cleaning team focus on cleaning,” Mock explains. “There’s no need to scrub or vacuum ahead of time, just make sure surfaces and floors are accessible.”
This distinction between cleaning and tidying matters more than most people realize. A cluttered countertop or floor can easily double the time it takes to complete a job, since your cleaner first has to move items out of the way before they can clean. A quick five-minute reset before your appointment for hanging up jackets, loading the dishwasher, or corralling kids’ toys goes a long way toward helping your housekeeper work quickly and efficiently.
2. Maintenance Cleaning Is Okay
Even if your cleaner comes weekly, it’s normal for surfaces and floors to get dirty again midweek, especially in busy households or during bad weather. Mock recommends doing small maintenance tasks in between professional cleanings to keep things manageable.
“Floors could use a quick vacuum mid-week, especially in the rainy and snowy seasons when more mud gets tracked in,” she says. “Your kitchen surfaces are another space that might need to be wiped down daily with a simple water and dish soap combination. This helps ensure crumbs don’t build up too much.”
3. Make Sure Your Home Is Accessible
You might not think about this until your cleaner is standing outside your locked door, but access is key — literally. “Make sure your home is ready to enter,” Mock says. “If needed, leave a key, code, or be available to let the cleaning team inside.”
This one small step can make or break how smoothly a visit goes. If you have a smart lock, make sure it’s working correctly and that your cleaning service has the most up-to-date code. Also, if you’re home during the cleaning, try to stay out of the team’s way so spaces are more accessible to them.
4. Keep Fresh Sheet Sets Handy
If one of your services includes swapping the bedding, make it easy for your housekeeper to do so. “If you need bed sheets or linens changed, make sure they’re easily accessible or laid out in advance of your clean,” Mock says. It might seem obvious, but many clients forget to leave fresh linens out, leaving cleaners to dig through the linen closet or possibly skip the task altogether. It’s also helpful to strip the bed before they arrive so they can jump right in.
5. Consider Others’ Comfort
Cleaning is hard physical work, and the environment your housekeeper works in matters. “Adjust the temperature of the home for your cleaning team,” Mock recommends. “Working in the heat or cold can be uncomfortable and may cause your team to work slower.”
If you usually set the thermostat lower to save energy, try bumping it up a couple of degrees before they arrive in winter or turn on fans or air conditioning during the summer. The same goes for opening windows for ventilation, especially if they’re using strong cleaning supplies.
6. Put Pets Away
Your furry family members are adorable, but they can be distracting. “We love pets, but we don’t have the time to play with them the entire time,” Mock says. Not only that, they should be kept at a distance for safety reasons.
“Pets should also be secured to protect them and your cleaning team,” she says. It’s hard for them to comfortably clean while tripping over a wagging tail or keeping a curious cat away from chemicals. Either keep them crated in an out-of-the-way space or take them for a walk until the cleaning is done.
The 5 Best Pet-Safe Cleaning Products, All BHG Editor- and Expert-Approved
7. Make the Payment Process Simple
Few things are more awkward than a housekeeper having to text or call to ask about payment after the service is complete. “If payment has not been arranged, put out cash or a check clearly labeled for the housekeeper in a place that they will easily see,” Mock suggests. The kitchen counter or entryway console is an easy spot.
While many businesses accept digital payments, clear communication is still key. If you’re tipping separately, you can include it in the same envelope or mention it during scheduling to avoid confusion. It’s a small courtesy that goes a long way.
8. Go Green With Caution
Eco-friendly cleaning products are all the rage currently, but they’re not always the most efficient for every job. “Green cleaning products don’t always clean as well as other products and can take a lot more elbow grease,” Mock says. That doesn’t mean you should abandon your eco-conscious habits, but it’s worth discussing product preferences with your cleaner.
Some natural products are better suited for certain surfaces than others, and professionals often know which combinations yield the best results. If you have strong preferences about scents, ingredients, or brands, let your housekeeper know before the first visit so everyone’s on the same page.
