3 Things We Wish We Knew Before Hiring a House Cleaner
Hiring someone to clean your home sounds pretty straightforward. You find a cleaner, pick a day, and come home to a sparkling house.
At least, that’s what we thought.
After trying several cleaning companies, we learned that a great cleaning takes more than finding a good cleaner. A little preparation and communication can make all the difference—especially when you have your own way of doing things.
Here are 3 simple things we wish we had known from the beginning.
1. Walk Through Your Home Together Before They Start
When a cleaner arrives for the first time, spend 10–15 minutes walking through the house together. Show them what you care about most. Point out rooms that need extra attention and areas they can skip.
For example, it’s perfectly fine to say:
“The guest room is already pretty clean. I’d rather you spend a little more time on the kitchen.”
or something like:
" You don't have to clean the room with closed door. That's something I'd prefer to take care of."
This isn't being picky. It actually makes the cleaner's job easier because they know exactly where to focus their time.
Our tip: Don't assume they'll automatically know what's most important to you. A quick conversation can prevent disappointment later.
2. Communicate What "Clean" Means to you
Everyone has different preferences, so be clear about what matters to you upfront.
If you prefer certain cleaning products, want them to use your vacuum or supplies, or have special instructions for surfaces like hardwood floors, let them know.
For example:
“Please use this cleaner on the hardwood instead of an all-purpose spray.”
Our tip: A few minutes of conversation upfront to set expectations can prevent surprises and lead to a much better outcome.
3. Pick Up Personal Items Before the Cleaner Arrives
You don’t need to clean before the cleaner comes—that defeats the whole purpose!
But we’ve learned that a quick 10-minute tidy-up goes a long way. Put away personal items, paperwork, clothes, and anything you don’t want moved.
We learned this one the fun way—spending a few minutes after a cleaning wondering, “Where did our kitchen towels go?” 😅
A little tidying beforehand means less time playing hide-and-seek afterward—and more time for your cleaner to focus on the actual cleaning.
The Bottom Line
You don't need a long list of rules to get a great house cleaning.
A quick walkthrough, clear expectations, and a little preparation can make a big difference. And once you find someone you trust, keeping your home clean becomes one less thing to worry about.
Have you hired a house cleaner before? We'd love to hear from your experience. What went well? What didn't go well for you? Leave a note in the comment - we'd love to read them.
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