First, the good news: you don't need to clean before your cleaning. But a little preparation means the visit's time goes into scrubbing and dusting, not working around piles.
Pick up clutter from floors and counters. Toys, shoes, mail, and laundry on the floor slow down vacuuming and mopping, and items on counters have to be moved before surfaces can be wiped. A quick five-minute sweep through the house before we arrive makes a real difference.
Tell us your priorities. If the guest bathroom matters most because family arrives Friday, or the oven exterior is driving you crazy, say so when you book or when we arrive. Your checklist stays the same, but we can put your top spots first.
Sort out access and pets. If you won't be home, let us know how to get in. If you have pets, decide whether they'll be crated, in a closed room, or out with you, and mention anything we should know, like a cat who likes to slip out the door.
Finally, put away anything fragile or valuable you'd rather we didn't handle. Then go enjoy your day, and come home to a clean house. New clients take 15% off the first cleaning.