Before a house cleaning service arrives, pick up clutter from floors and counters, put away valuables, plan for your pets, and tell your cleaners which rooms matter most. You do not need to clean first. The goal is to clear surfaces so your house cleaners spend their time cleaning, not tidying.
Pick up the clutter, not the dirt
House cleaners clean surfaces. If a counter is covered in mail or a floor is covered in toys, that time goes to moving things instead of scrubbing. Spend 10 to 15 minutes before the visit putting loose items in a basket. Leave the dust and the grime. That is the job you are paying for.
Put away valuables and fragile items
Cash, jewelry, medications, and keepsakes belong in a drawer or closet before any visit. This protects you and the person cleaning your home. If you have a fragile piece that needs special care, put it away or point it out at the start.
Make a plan for your pets
Some pets love company. Others get stressed or slip out the door. Decide ahead of time whether your dog or cat stays in a room, a crate, or with you. Let the cleaning team know about pets before they arrive.
Tell your cleaners what matters most
A short list helps. Name the two or three rooms you care about most, any surfaces that need special products, and any spots to skip. Clear priorities on the first visit lead to better results on every visit after.
Decide how your cleaners will get in
You can be home, leave a key, or share a garage code. Pick the option you are comfortable with and confirm it before the first visit so nobody is waiting at the door.
Do you need to buy cleaning supplies?
With most professional services, no. Ask before the first visit. If you prefer a certain brand, say so.
What not to do
Do not deep clean the house the night before. Do not hide the messy rooms. Cleaners see real homes every day, and the rooms you are embarrassed by are often the rooms that need help most.
How McCarthy’s Home Services makes the first visit easy
At McCarthy’s Home Services, our house cleaners bring all of their own supplies and equipment. If you have a preferred brand, just tell us and we will use it. You can be home for the visit, give us a key, or share a garage code. Whatever keeps you at ease works for us.
Every maid on our team is screened and professionally trained, and we carry liability insurance. We never use harmful chemicals in your home. Many of our customers tell us they love seeing the same friendly cleaner visit after visit, which is a big reason we have a 4.8-star rating from more than 130 Google reviews.
We clean homes across Cincinnati’s east side, including Withamsville, Anderson Township, Batavia, Amelia, and Mount Carmel. Our house cleaning service and maid service run weekly, every other week, or monthly, and we build a plan around your home. Have more questions? See our FAQ.
Call (513) 528-0814, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, or request a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Should I clean before the maid comes?
No. Pick up clutter so surfaces are clear, but leave the cleaning to your maid service.
Do I need to be home during a house cleaning?
No. Many customers give a key or a garage code. Choose what you are comfortable with.
Do house cleaners bring their own supplies?
Most professional services do. McCarthy’s Home Services brings all supplies and equipment to every visit.