Hiring a professional cleaner is one of the best investments you can make in your home and your time. But there’s a common misconception that you don’t need to do anything before they arrive. The reality: a little prep on your end means your cleaner spends their time on the deep work — scrubbing, disinfecting, polishing — instead of clearing clutter to get to it.
Here’s exactly what to do before your Clairo cleaner (or any professional) arrives.
Clear the Clutter First
Professional cleaners clean — they don’t organize or sort your belongings. If countertops, tables, and floors are covered in items, your cleaner has to move things to clean under them, which slows down the visit and means less time on the actual cleaning.
Before they arrive:
- Clear kitchen and bathroom counters of loose items
- Pick up clothes, toys, and personal items from floors
- Move items off coffee tables and side tables
- Put away dishes from drying racks and the sink
You don’t need to deep-clean anything — that’s their job. But clearing surfaces gives them direct access to what they’re there to clean.
Secure Pets and Communicate About Them
Pets can slow down a cleaning significantly if they’re underfoot, barking at the cleaner, or need to be kept out of certain rooms. Before your visit:
- Let your Clairo cleaner know in advance if you have pets and what type
- Arrange for pets to be in a separate room, outside, or in a crate during the visit
- Note any rooms that pets aren’t allowed in (so the cleaner knows to keep doors closed)
Most cleaners are comfortable around pets, but having a plan makes the visit go smoother for everyone — including your dog.
Give Access Instructions Clearly
Nothing wastes a cleaner’s time (and your appointment window) like not being able to get in. Make sure access is clear before the day of the visit:
- If you’ll be home: let the cleaner know if you have a doorbell that doesn’t work or a gate code they’ll need
- If you won’t be home: leave a key in an agreed spot, provide a lockbox code, or arrange to have someone let them in
- Parking: if street parking is limited near your home (common in The Highlands), give a heads-up on where to park
Communicate this through Clairo’s booking confirmation so there are no surprises on the day.
Point Out Priority Areas
Every home is different. Maybe your kitchen gets heavy use and needs extra attention. Maybe you have a guest bathroom that barely gets touched and can be a quick clean. Let your cleaner know your priorities upfront:
- Which rooms get the most use and need the most thorough attention
- Any surfaces or materials that need special care (natural stone countertops, hardwood floors with specific finishes, antique furniture)
- Areas you’d like skipped (a home office with sensitive documents, a child’s room with a specific arrangement)
You can note this in your Clairo booking, and your assigned cleaner will have it before they arrive.
Straighten Up the Bathrooms
Bathrooms are one of the highest-impact areas in any cleaning visit, and a small amount of prep goes a long way:
- Clear personal products off the counter (shampoo, soap, razors) so the cleaner can wipe down every surface
- Remove items from the shower floor (kids’ toys, loofahs, bottles) so they can scrub the tile and drain area
- Put toilet paper rolls in a holder or on the back of the toilet rather than scattered around
This takes five minutes and meaningfully improves the result.
What You Don’t Need to Do
To be clear: you don’t need to pre-clean. That’s not the point. You don’t need to:
- Scrub the toilet before they arrive
- Wipe down counters to “save them time”
- Pre-mop floors or pre-vacuum
The value of a professional cleaning service is that you don’t do those things. Just clear the path so they can do their job well.
Ready to Book?
Clairo matches Louisville homeowners with vetted, background-checked cleaners — and your booking includes notes so your cleaner knows your home before they walk in the door. Schedule your next clean today and we’ll take it from there.