How to prepare for your first professional clean
A few small things before the day help your cleaner spend their time on what matters.
Short answer: sort out how your cleaner will get in, let us know about pets, and put away clutter and valuables. That way your cleaner spends their time cleaning, not working around things.
1. Decide how your cleaner will get in
When you book with Cleaner Today, you choose one of three options:
- Someone home: someone lets your cleaner in on the day.
- Lockbox access: your cleaner uses a lockbox. Add its location and code in the access notes.
- Key available: a key is left for your cleaner as arranged.
Add anything else that helps in the access notes, like a gate code or where to park. These details are only shared with your cleaner for that booking.
2. Tell us about pets
Let us know if your pets will be inside or outside (or if you have none). It helps your cleaner plan, and some pets are happier in another room while the vacuum is out.
3. Nothing to buy
Your cleaner brings their own equipment and professional cleaning products, so there's nothing for you to supply. If anyone at home has allergies or sensitivities, mention it in your notes when you book.
4. Do a quick tidy
Your cleaner is there to clean, so clearing surfaces first means more of their time goes on cleaning. Ten minutes before the clean makes a real difference:
- Pick up toys, clothes and anything on the floor
- Clear kitchen benches where you can
- Put dishes in the sink or dishwasher
5. Put away valuables and fragile items
Please put away cash, jewellery and anything fragile or sentimental, and let us know about any surfaces or items that need special care, like natural stone or delicate finishes.
6. Mention your priorities
If there's a room to skip, or an area you'd like extra time on, add it to the notes when you book. "Focus on the kitchen and main bathroom" helps your cleaner put the time where you want it.
On the day
Your clean happens within the cleaning window you chose: morning (8am to 12pm) or afternoon (1pm to 5pm). Your cleaner arrives and finishes within that window, so a clean takes up to 4 hours, and they bring their own equipment. If someone is home, a quick walk-through of any priorities is helpful but not essential. Everything you wrote in your booking notes is already with your cleaner.
If your plans change, you can cancel or reschedule free of charge up to 24 hours before your cleaning window. Just email or call us with your booking reference.
A quick checklist
The night before your first clean:
- Access sorted: someone home, lockbox code checked, or key left as arranged
- Pets settled where you said they'd be
- Floors and benches cleared of clutter
- Valuables and fragile items put away
- Priorities and rooms to skip added to your booking notes
After your clean
If something isn't right, or something has been damaged, contact us within 24 hours of the clean so we can look into it with your cleaner. If you're happy, you can keep the same cleaner on a weekly or fortnightly routine.
Ready? Start your booking and you'll be asked about access and pets as you go.
Quick answers
- Do I need to be home for my clean?
- No. You can choose someone home, lockbox access or a key available, and add access notes for your cleaner.
- Do I need to supply cleaning products?
- No. Your cleaner brings their own equipment and professional cleaning products.
