How to Prepare for Your Cleaner: A 15-Minute Routine Before They Arrive

The best way to prepare for your cleaner is to spend about 15 minutes clearing surfaces and floors, putting away valuables and personal papers, getting supplies ready in one place, settling your pets and sorting out building access. Then tell the cleaner your top two or three priorities. That way, the paid hours go on cleaning rather than tidying, searching or waiting at the lobby.

You do not need to clean before the cleaner comes. You do need to make the home cleanable. Here is a simple routine.

The night before

Check your supplies

Make sure the vacuum is charged, the mop head is clean and nothing important has run out. Running out of bathroom cleaner halfway through means the cleaner improvises or skips a job. If you are setting up for the first time, use our list of cleaning supplies to prepare for your cleaner.

Sort out access

• HDB flats: decide whether you will be home, or how the cleaner will get in. If you are leaving a key or sharing a door code, arrange it in advance through the company, not on the day.
• Condos: many condos require visitors or contractors to be registered with security, sometimes through an app or at the guardhouse. Register the cleaner's details ahead of time and check whether there are lift booking or loading bay rules for the day.
• Landed homes: make sure the gate can be opened, and that any dogs are secured before the cleaner reaches the door.

Decide your priorities

If you have a few hours booked, the cleaner cannot do a deep clean of every room. Pick what matters most this time, such as the bathrooms and kitchen, or the bedrooms before guests arrive.

On the day: the 15-minute reset

1. Clear the floors. Pick up toys, shoes, clothes, bags and cables. A vacuum cannot get under a pile of laundry, and moving it costs paid time.
2. Clear the counters. Kitchen counters, bathroom vanities and the dining table are wiped much faster when they are empty. Put away appliances you do not use daily.
3. Do the dishes, or at least stack them. Washing a sink full of dishes is not part of standard cleaning, and it blocks access to the sink and counter.
4. Put away personal items. Letters, documents, medication, jewellery and cash belong in a drawer or cupboard. This protects your privacy and avoids awkward moments.
5. Strip the bed if you want fresh sheets, and leave clean linen on the mattress.
6. Empty the laundry basket if you have asked for ironing, or tell the cleaner where the ironing pile is.
7. Open windows or switch on fans in rooms that tend to feel stuffy, so floors dry faster after mopping.

Valuables and private spaces

Our cleaners are trained, background-checked and insured, and the business is fully insured. Even so, putting valuables away is simply good practice with any visitor, the same way you would before hosting a party.

• Store jewellery, watches, cash and important documents somewhere closed.
• If a room is off-limits, such as a study with work papers, close the door and tell the cleaner.
• Fragile or sentimental items are best moved off surfaces the cleaner will be wiping.

We cover keys, home cameras and privacy in more depth in letting a cleaner into your home.

Pets

• Dogs that are anxious, protective or excitable are best kept in a separate room or crate during the session, or taken out.
• Cats often hide on their own, but let the cleaner know they exist so doors and windows are not left open.
• Tell the cleaner about litter boxes, feeding bowls and any areas the pet should not be shut out of.
• Mention any pet allergies or fears the cleaner should know about.

More pet tips are in our pet-friendly cleaning guide.

Briefing the cleaner

A two-minute briefing at the start of the session makes a big difference, especially the first time.

• Walk through the home and point out problem spots: a shower screen with limescale, a window sill that collects black dust, a stain on the floor.
• Say what not to touch: a stack of papers on a desk, a fragile ornament, an antique timber cabinet.
• Point out floor types and which product goes on which, especially marble or timber.
• Confirm priorities and anything extra, like the balcony or ironing.
• Share how to reach you if you will be out.

If you will not be home, leave a short written note covering the same points. Keep it simple: three priorities and two things to avoid is plenty.

Things you do not need to do

• Pre-clean. That is what the cleaner is for. Tidying is helpful; scrubbing is not necessary.
• Hover. If you are home, it is fine to carry on with your day. Being available for questions is enough.
• Prepare elaborate instructions. A clear priority list is more useful than a long document.

After the session

Take five minutes to walk through and check your priority areas. If anything was missed, or you would like something done differently next time, tell the company. Feedback after the first few visits helps the session settle into a routine that suits you. On recurring plans we do our best to send the same cleaner, so preferences carry over from visit to visit.

To see exactly what a standard session covers, look at our part-time cleaning checklist. If you are still choosing a provider, read how to book a reliable part-time cleaner, and for how recurring help works, see our part-time cleaning page.

Frequently asked questions

Should I clean before the cleaner comes?

No, but you should tidy. Clearing floors and surfaces lets the cleaner spend paid time cleaning rather than moving things around. There is no need to scrub anything first.

Do I need to be home when the cleaner arrives?

Not necessarily. Many customers are home for the first visit to walk the cleaner through, then arrange access for later sessions. Arrange keys or door codes in advance through the company.

Will the cleaner wash my dishes?

Washing a full sink of dishes is not part of a standard session, and it uses time that would otherwise go on cleaning. Wash or stack them before the cleaner arrives, or mention it upfront if you want it included.

What should I do with my dog during the cleaning?

If your dog is anxious or excitable around visitors, keep it in a separate room or crate, or take it out during the session. Let the cleaner know about any pets in advance.

All set for your first visit? Pick a date and time, or WhatsApp +65 8166 0891 if you have questions about access, pets or what to prepare.