You booked the cleaning, picked a date, and now you’re wondering: do I need to do anything before the crew shows up? Cleaning etiquette isn’t about impressing anyone — it’s about making the visit go faster, safer, and smoother for everyone involved. Here’s what actually helps, and what you can skip worrying about.
Do: Secure Pets Before Arrival
Even friendly pets can get stressed by unfamiliar people moving through the house with vacuums and equipment. If your dog or cat tends to bolt for open doors, crate them, put them in a closed room, or plan to be home during the visit. This isn’t about being unwelcoming — it’s about keeping your pet (and the cleaning team) safe while doors are propped open for supplies.
Do: Put Away Valuables and Sensitive Items
Cash, jewelry, important documents, and anything irreplaceable should be tucked away before any visit, not because anyone expects a problem, but because it’s simply good practice any time people you don’t personally know are in your home — the same logic applies to contractors, dog walkers, or house sitters. It also means nothing gets accidentally moved, sprayed near, or knocked off a shelf during cleaning.
Do: Leave Clear Access Instructions
If you won’t be home, let us know how the team should get in — lockbox code, garage code, hidden key, or a neighbor holding a spare. Vague instructions (“it’s usually unlocked”) cost time at the start of the visit and can push your cleaning later into the day. If you have a security system, share the disarm code or plan to disarm it remotely before the scheduled window.
Don’t: Feel Obligated to Stay Home
Plenty of clients prefer to be out during the visit, and that’s completely normal — you don’t need to supervise. If you do stay home, that’s fine too; just try to stay out of the rooms being actively cleaned so the team can work through the space efficiently.
Do: Communicate Priorities Up Front
If there’s a spot that matters most to you — a bathroom that gets heavy use, a kitchen after a dinner party, a kid’s room before grandparents visit — say so when you book or leave a note. Cleaning time is finite, and knowing your priorities helps the team allocate attention where you actually want it.
Don’t: Expect Organizing or Heavy Decluttering
Cleaning and organizing are different services. If counters, floors, and surfaces are covered in loose items, clothes, or paperwork, the team has to work around that clutter rather than clean it — which eats into time that would otherwise go toward actual cleaning. A quick pre-visit tidy (clearing surfaces, picking up toys, loading the dishwasher) goes a long way toward getting a more thorough clean in the same visit.
Do: Say Something If a Spot Gets Missed
If you notice something after the team leaves, let us know as soon as you can. The sooner feedback comes in, the easier it is to address. Silence doesn’t help anyone — a quick note about what was missed is genuinely useful.
A Note on Tipping
Tipping is always appreciated but never required. If you want to show appreciation, cash left with a note is the simplest approach — no etiquette rules attached.
The Bottom Line
Good cleaning etiquette really comes down to three things: make the home accessible, clear a path for the team to work, and tell us what matters most. Everything else is optional. If you’re getting ready for your first visit, our guide on what to expect on your first cleaning visit covers the rest, and you can schedule a visit any time through our online booking page.