How to prepare for your cleaning
1. Pick up household items – limit clutter
Tidying and straightening up your home’s rooms before a house cleaner arrives can help ensure they spend the majority of their time cleaning, not organizing your house. This includes leaving dishes in the sink and clothes on the floor. Picking up these items also means they’re less likely to be misplaced during a cleaning. Plus, a house that is ready to be cleaned is always less expensive than a house that is not (in the long run). Clutter wastes time and cleaning fees are based on an estimated amount of time to clean your home. In the event you wish for us to change your sheets, please leave the clean set sheets on the end of the bed to indicate you wish to have the sheet changed.
2. Pick up any important documents, bills and other papers
To an unfamiliar eye, important documents such as insurance paperwork, bank statements or bills can be easily mistaken for trash. Protect your privacy and avoid the trouble of tracking down an important paper item by filing them, placing them in a secure spot or leaving a “do not disturb” note on them prior to a house cleaner’s arrival.
3. Identify problem areas that need special cleaning attention
Housecleaning services can’t read minds. If you have an area that you’d like the cleaner to devote extra attention to, make sure to let us know in advance. Our cleaners will not always be able to interpret notes left in English.
4. Put away the pets
This precaution depends on both your dog and cat’s comfort level with strangers in the house, as well as your house cleaner’s preferences. If your pets don’t handle unfamiliar people well, it may be a good idea to secure them in a crate or locked room prior to the house cleaner’s arrival.
5. Identify and repair any broken items around the home
Giving your home a quick inspection for any broken or damaged items can help spare you the embarrassment of accidentally blaming your house cleaner for damage he or she didn’t do. It is always best to notify the office in advance of any issues with fixtures, appliances or plumbing.
6. Secure valuables such as jewelry, small electronics and loose cash
This is not to say there will be theft, but to protect your peace of mind by placing valuables in a secure area/location.
7. Make sure they can get in
If you plan to be away during your home’s cleaning, or if you’re setting up service for the first time, make sure the cleaning company has or has access to an entry key, as well as any special instructions for turning off a home security system.
8. Have the payment ready
If you are paying by check, please make it payable to Virginia Housekeepers and leave it on the counter for the team to collect upon completing the cleaning. If paying by cash (which is not preferred), it is required that you place the cash in a sealed envelope with the amount written on the outside along with your name to limit any confusion with regards to how much was paid by whom.