30 minutes of preparation before your cleaner arrives saves about an hour of cleaning time — and dramatically improves the result. Here is what to do, in what order, and why.
Why preparation matters
A cleaner is paid to clean — not to declutter, sort, find lost items, or move things around. Every minute they spend on clutter, decluttering, or moving boxes is a minute not spent cleaning. 30 minutes of pre-visit prep typically converts to 45-60 minutes of additional cleaning depth. The home looks meaningfully better at the end.
Step 1 — Clear surfaces
- Clear kitchen benches of dishes, mail, post-it notes, half-empty bottles
- Clear coffee table of magazines, remotes, snack plates
- Clear bedside tables of glasses, books, charging cables
- Clear bathroom vanity of personal items, half-empty bottles
- Make beds (or strip them if you want fresh linen)
If a surface has 10 items on it, the cleaner has to move each one to wipe under it, then put it back. 10 surfaces × 10 items = 100 small moves. Clearing the surface yourself eliminates all of them.
Step 2 — Lift small rugs and runners
Rugs slow vacuuming by 3-4×. Lifting them lets the cleaner vacuum the floor in one straight pass instead of having to negotiate around them. Hang or roll them up for the visit if you can.
Step 3 — Run the dishwasher
Empty sink = faster kitchen clean. We do not clean a sink full of dishes — we just clean around them and the result is worse for everyone. Run the dishwasher the night before.
Want the most from every visit?
Free walkthrough. We coach you on the 5-minute prep that makes the biggest difference.
Step 4 — Put pets away
Cats and dogs love to follow the cleaner around. That is fine for some, but it slows things and risks accidents (e.g. small dogs near a vacuum cord). If you can put pets in one room during the visit, the rest of the home cleans faster.
Step 5 — Tell us your priorities for the day
2 minutes of conversation at the start of every visit changes the outcome. If you have a specific concern — kids’ bathroom needs extra attention, range hood feels greasy, dog has shed heavily this week — tell us.
We re-weight our time toward your priorities. We cannot read minds, but a quick 2-minute walkthrough always helps.
What you don’t need to do
- Pre-clean the floor — that is our job
- Empty bins — included
- Wipe surfaces — included
- Tidy decorations or books — leave as-is
- Move large furniture — we will not move it on a regular visit anyway
Request a free quote or call 0493 295 032.
- ✓Benches and tables cleared of items
- ✓Dishwasher run, sink empty
- ✓Small rugs lifted
- ✓Pets in a separate room
- ✓Bins accessible
- ✓Priorities for the day noted
- ✓Access confirmed (key, code, or in person)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to prepare?+
Should I be home during the clean?+
How do I tell you my priorities?+
Do you need access to every room?+
Should I dust before you arrive?+
Will you wash my dishes if I don’t run the dishwasher?+
Can I leave a note instead of being home?+
How early should I run the dishwasher?+
Sources & further reading
- Consumer guarantees on services Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
- Cleaning the home — Better Health Channel Victorian Department of Health
- Indoor air quality at home — guidance Australian Government Department of Health
- Reducing your home energy bills Australian Government — Department of Climate Change, Energy
- Indoor allergens and asthma triggers Asthma Australia
Ready for Visits That Actually Work?
Free quote. Same checklist every visit. Wangaratta + 90 towns across Northeast Victoria.
