Hiring a professional cleaning service can be a huge relief for busy homeowners – no more stress about scrubbing floors or dusting hard-to-reach corners. But to get the most out of your residential cleaning service in New Jersey, a little preparation goes a long way. Prepping your home before the cleaners arrive helps them work more efficiently and ensures you receive the best possible results. In fact, spending just 15 minutes on simple prep tasks can save the cleaners 30–45 minutes of work meaning they can dedicate more time to the detailed cleaning that really makes your home shine.

Use this guide as your handy checklist for how to prepare your home for a professional cleaning. With these steps, you’ll set your cleaners up for success – and set yourself up to be delighted by a truly spotless home!

1. Declutter Surfaces and Floors

Before your cleaning team arrives, take a walk through your home and pick up any clutter from surfaces and floors. Put away toys, clothes, shoes, stacks of mail, and other personal items that are sitting out. Professional cleaners aren’t there to organize your belongings, and clutter can actually slow them down. Clearing off kitchen counters, tabletops, and floors gives the cleaners easy access to every area that needs attention. The less stuff they have to move or work around, the more time they can spend on actual cleaning tasks like dusting and vacuuming. Think of it this way: a tidy space allows for a deeper clean.

2. Secure Valuables and Fragile Items

Even though you’re hiring a trusted, vetted cleaning service, it’s wise to secure any valuables or breakables before the team arrives. Accidents are rare, but they can happen. Walk through your home and put away jewelry, cash, important documents, or small fragile collectibles in a safe spot (a locked drawer or a room that won’t be cleaned). Also, if you have delicate décor items or heirlooms, consider storing them temporarily or clearly pointing them out to the cleaners with special instructions. Taking this precaution protects your prized possessions and gives you peace of mind during the cleaning.

3. Tidy Up the Kitchen (Dishes and Food Messes)

If your kitchen has dirty dishes scattered about or food remnants on the counters, try to handle those quick tasks before the cleaners come. While cleaners will wipe down your countertops and sink, most standard cleaning services don’t include washing a pile of dishes. Load your dishwasher with any dirty dishes or wash and put them away. Similarly, clear away any obvious food spills or trash. An empty, clutter-free sink and cleared countertops mean your cleaners can thoroughly sanitize those surfaces without having to work around last night’s dishes or spills. This way, they can focus on making your kitchen truly sparkle, rather than doing basic tidying.

4. Pick Up (or Secure) Your Pets

Our furry friends are part of the family, but they can pose a challenge on cleaning day. If you have pets, plan to secure them in a designated area while the cleaners work. This is for both the pet’s safety and the cleaners’ efficiency. Some pets may be anxious or protective around strangers, and cleaning equipment (like vacuum cleaners) can stress them out. Consider crating your dog or confining your cat to a room that won’t be cleaned (or take them out for a walk or errand during the appointment). Also, tidy up pet-related messes – like cleaning out litter boxes or picking up pet toys – beforehand. Not only does this prevent any accidents, but it also ensures the cleaners can do a thorough job without interruptions.

5. Note Priority Areas or Concerns

Think about any specific instructions you have for the cleaning team. Are there any areas you want them to focus on? For example, maybe you’ve noticed a lot of dust on the ceiling fan, or you want extra attention on the bathrooms. Likewise, let them know if there are surfaces that require special care (like a fragile lampshade or a special type of countertop that needs a particular cleaner). It helps to jot these down or do a quick walkthrough with the team when they arrive. Clear communication ensures your biggest pain points get addressed. Professional cleaners appreciate knowing your priorities so they can make you happiest with the results.

6. Provide Access and Any Necessary Instructions

Make sure your cleaners can get into your home easily at the scheduled time. If you won’t be home, arrange for a key exchange, provide an entry code, or instruct a concierge/front desk to let them in. If you will be home, be ready to greet them and show them around if it’s their first visit. Additionally, consider creating a simple “command center” – perhaps a spot on the kitchen counter or a note on the fridge – with any last-minute notes or requests. For instance, you might leave a note saying “Please use the vacuum in the hall closet for upstairs rugs” or “Door locks behind you – just pull it shut when leaving.” These little instructions help the cleaning team do their job smoothly and give you added peace of mind.

7. Relocate Personal Items You Don’t Want Touched

If there are any personal items or areas you prefer the cleaners not to handle, make arrangements for those as well. For example, if you have paperwork spread out on a desk that you don’t want rearranged, gather it up and stow it safely so the cleaners can wipe the desk without worrying about disturbing your papers. Or maybe you have a particular room (like a hobby room or home office) that you don’t need cleaned – you can close that door or leave a polite sign saying “No cleaning needed in this room.” This way, the team knows to concentrate on other areas. Setting these boundaries in advance helps avoid any confusion and ensures everyone is on the same page.

By following this simple checklist, you’ll help your cleaning professionals deliver the best service possible. A little prep work on your part makes a big difference in the efficiency and effectiveness of the cleaning visit. When you declutter, secure your valuables, and communicate your needs, you’re setting the stage for a successful cleaning that meets (or even exceeds) your expectations.

At the end of the day, the whole point of hiring a cleaning service is to make your life easier and your home cleaner. With these preparations done, you can sit back and relax while the experts do the hard work. Then, enjoy coming home to a beautifully clean house – and maybe treat yourself to a little extra free time you’ve gained!

If you’re searching for professional cleaners for hire NJ, or house cleaning services near you, Jubilee Cleaning is here to help. Contact us anytime with questions or to schedule your next home cleaning. We’re committed to delivering a spotless clean, every time – and now you know how to help us make that happen!