So How Much or Little Do I Do Before the House Cleaning Crew Comes?

A very dear friend of mine has been in the cleaning business for a couple of decades. She tells me stories all the time about some houses she cleans. She is always amazed at the women that clean their house before she gets there. Seems silly, doesnt it?
She recommends that personal belongings be put away, ie, mail, filled shopping bags, etc. She will do the rest.
And remember...work WITH the woman cleaning your house...eventually, she will come to know you and your family. Last, but not least, these are people. Like my good friend, whom I love, she is just as good of a person as the people whose house she is cleaning. They deserve just as much respect as you would give your doctor, accountant, etc.

Margaret :)

I usually pick up the house so that all the ladies have to do is clean. But it sounds like you are on "over-load"! Believe me, these cleaning services have seen it all. I have a friend who has serious hoarding/obsessive/compulsive problems, and her apartment was a hideous disaster. The ladies came in and calmly went about throwing away garbage until they could find a surface to clean. It took them all day, but they got the place decent enough for her to pass an inspection by her apartment manager.

I would put away things that you don't want misplaced, i.e., important papers, jewelry, etc. Let them do the rest. You need some rest and relaxation. When they're done, at least you'll know that your kitchen and bathrooms are sanitary and that the rest of the house is tidier than it was when they started.

I recently got maid service for a once a month service. I find that as long as everything is back in its "home." I get more of the down and dirty cleaning done!

We have a cleaning service come once per month to do the heavy cleaning (used to be every 2 weeks, but had to cut back). I just make sure that the clutter is out of the way so that they have a place to clean (i.e. mail and other clutter off of counter tops and tables, clothes off of the floor, etc.). I have 2 small kids at home, so I have to make sure all of the toys are picked up off of the floor and out of the way too, but with teenagers, I would assume you won't have that problem. Other than that, I let them do it!

The only other thing I would caution you about is that if I don't put away the clean dishes in the drainer beside the sink, the maids will and they don't know where I keep things, so it sometimes takes me awhile to find things if they have attempted to put them away. So, I'm not sure if you will have that problem or not, but just something to think about.

Enjoy it! It's so nice to have a clean house and not have to do it yourself! :-)

The only thing I would do is put up your clothes or at least show them where they go.

House cleaners have a tendency to put up stuff where ever.

Other than that, sit back and relax. If you have any specific instructions, share it with them. They would rather know then you getting upset if they did something wrong i.e. clean your floor with cleaner instead of soap and water.

Just have the counters,floor and any other surfaces picked up. This way they can spend the time actually cleaning the area instead of picking up stuff. Thats it let them vaccume and do all that stuff. Unless you want them to clean fans, base boards and walls. Then go ahead and have that stuff cleaned up.

I have only had a cleaning service for the past year or so. I used a company for about 2-3 months and was not impressed. I found an individual through one of our customers and she is great. All I do is pick up our clutter/stuff--I figured she can't clean if the kids have all their stuff on the floor or table. We have wood floors and some solid surface counters in the bathroom, the first time she came I just told her how to clean and have not been disappointed. I supply her with the cleaning products I want her to use. At one time I notice I all of a sudden had a new mop, I asked her about it and she just told me that she prefers that style of mop--I offered to pay for it but she said no it would just make her job easier, I just added money to her pay the following week. I work so I am never home when she cleans, my husband is off during the week at times, but he leaves if she's there. We haven't had any problem with missing anything. If I leave dishes in the sink, she will put them in the dishwasher, but I try not to.
Enjoy--this is my one luxury I won't give up. It makes me a much nicer mom and wife when I'm not stressed about cleaning the house.

Hi E.,
Well, it definitely sounds like you can use all of the help you can get!!

When I used housecleaners in the past, we had them come every two weeks and I used to practically clean the house before they came, too (I am also a perfectionist)...at least for their first couple of visits.

Once I knew they would do a good job, then all I had to do was CLEAR (not CLEAN!) stuff, so that they could get to all of the flat surfaces, floors, etc. that they needed to clean!

Now that I know better, that is all I will ever do going forward---target clutter---even if I've never used them before. I've realized that, if I clean, then I can't tell how good of a job they are doing!!!!

If they don't do a job to your satisfaction, they will either have to be open to learning "your way" (typically the case) or they will be replaced. You may have to go through a couple of different cleaning ladies / businesses before you find the right one, but you will eventually find her/them.

I ALWAYS get the name of someone like this via a personal reference, so that you know they've done an excellent job for someone else you may know (like the mamas on this site).

I'm sure your husband did just fine and you should RELAX b/c that was his intent!

Good luck "letting go"!!
D.

When I lived at my MIL's house and had a HIGH NEEDS premature newborn, she got a maid. They didn't do laundry or dishes. IF I put a set of sheets on the beds they would change the sheets and make the beds.

Basically what they did-

bathrooms (make sure the counters are clear of clutter and organized and if there's a special cleaner needed for your tub and sinks tell them!)

dusted - if you want them to dust make sure that there's not too much junk they have to move aroun. I found after the first couple of cleanings they just gave up on that and dusted around my Asian doll collection!

Kitchen- they did not do the dishes so I made sure they were done before they arrived so that they would clean the counters and sink.

Floors- we had Pergo floors and they had to be cleaned a certain way. Make sure they know this if you have any special flooring.

We had three rooms that we told them not to worry about- my husband's computer room and FILs computer room, and the addition/storage room. So if you have areas that you feel you can't have properly organized to be cleaned then you can do the same.

Really, they didn't do that much and I would have been happy to have done the same things and saved the money, but my MIL was super picky about how clean her house was to be and I was going nuts just trying to do the basics AND care for a special needs newborn. So I let her hire the maids.

My theory is that they are not there to tidy up and clean, only clean. It is not their responsibility to pick up shoes or dirty laundry and I have heard of some that won't pick up shoes or toys to vacuum under them. You will get much better results if the house is tidy and the housekeepers can do what they are their to do - CLEAN! Enjoy! It is a perk I can not live without, as a busy mom and wife!

DO NOTHING!!!! Make a list of what you think is "the worst" and have them tackle that first. Think about how long will they be there and will they come back, then go from there.

I always straighten up (clutter, dishes, etc.), and just leave the actual cleaning to them.

Hi E.,
I have T. children 4 and 7 yrs of age and they help pick up their mess. I have always taught them that if they make the mess they clean it up. My husband and I work together around the house. Everyone deserves to pitch in and help. Having a stranger in my home is simply not an option. My mother always had help until one of her "ladies" stole precious jewerly with sentimental value. Personally it's just not worth it!

Elisa

Out of curiosity, if you have a husband and teenagers, why aren't they cleaning? That being said, everyone needs to pick up anything they don't want to find in the "wrong" place when the cleaners are done. My feeling is that the cleaners job is to CLEAN, not tidy up my stuff, so I make sure that things are where they belong and leave the heavy cleaning to the cleaners.

I have a house keeper for the first time ever also and have used her now for 6 weeks. I love it. One of the things that I have found worked for me is make a list as to where things are. What you want them to do.. AND BE THERE. Do not expect to get much done on your own at first because you will need to check what they are doing. If you have furniture that need special care etc. let them know and if you have pets better if they are outside if possible, just because they will not be underfoot. From my exp. you will want to have this happen more often.

I have a friend who actually mops before her cleaning crew comes over - what a waste! I'd say to get things off the floor, perhaps sweep if there's lot of stuff around. Get straight with them what their fee covers. Is it an hourly rate, or do you pay $60 or so for a whole-house cleaning? If you strip the beds, will they make them up with fresh sheets? Their supplies or yours? (Probably theirs; may be an issue if any of you have allergies.) If you could talk to them over the phone so you know what to expect, that would be best.

E., never had one but if one was to come over I think I'd just pick up my clutter and put it away, and put the dishes away. It sounds like you and your husband work really hard but what do your boys do? I have 4 kids now depending on what they have going on outside of school such as sports and a job helps me decide what all I should expect of them around the house. I do this because my parents wouldn't make us and I have a brother whose wife can't hardly get him to do anything around the house. I want my kids to be responsible. I'm not saying your's don't I'm just helping you see what all can be done different if any. Have a good Easter and enjoy your clean house!!

ah, yes... My husband *insisted* that we hire a housekeeper after our daughter was born. And I fought the idea! Not because I got some strange enjoyment from cleaning the toilet, and not because I didn't want the help. Honestly, I didn't want to be committed to tidying up the house on a set schedule; I just didn't have the extra bandwidth....

The ugly truth is, yes, you ought to tidy the house up in order for them to clean. The reason is, he/she/they will be there for a certain amount of time. If your kitchen is in shambles on cleaning day, it will take them twice as long to clean it--They will clean it even if you don't... But 1.) it will interfere with their ability to clean or focus on other areas and 2.) they will make a best guess of where things belong and you will have to hunt around in drawers and cabinets during the days directly afterward in order to find where they put things away.

Generally speaking, you should get the counter tops of the kitchen and bathrooms cleared off; pick-up things off the floors so they can vacuum. Put clean sheets on the beds so bedding can be changed. And here's a tip: decide beforehand if you want them to do any laundry... I had one housekeeper who, bless her heart, would wash the rags she used and or start loads of laundry; inevitably, cleaning rags and old towels that she used (and which had cleaning chemicals) would get washed with our good towels... yeah, bleached out and ruined the good towels. That can be an expensive mistake.

You have two teenage boys who should be helping keep things in order. Their rooms should be kept in or BY THEM, with maybe the exception of dusting. My sons learned to vacumn at a very early age. Did you husband not clear with the cleaning service just exactly what they do? If he didn't, he should have, so that the first thing you should determine when they get there, then let them do their job. Don't clean in front of them. Whatever they aren't contracted to do, you do. And you really do need to get those boys busy helping. Nowhere is it written than males do not do housework. I taught my teens early about laundry. If they needed a ball uniform washed, they did it. the same with ironing a shirt. I'm one of these "take it out of the dryer and wear it" people. Anyone in my househood wanting something ironed knows where the iron and ironing board can be found. Bacl to the cleaning crew...you're paying them to clean, so let them. I would think that the oven/stove, refrigerator, windows, bathrooms and vacuming would be first on the list, OH, and moping the kitchen floor.

I had a housekeeper for 6 months, but then she had a problem showing up on her assigned day. So we let her go. So if this works out and you are in San Antonio, I would love to know who you have that does a good job!
Bless your husband for arranging this for you!

here's what I did for pick up: put away all personal items and the clutter on the kitchen and bathroom counters. I had kids pick up all the clutter on bedroom floors and put bathroom items into drawers. That way she could spend time cleaning the bathroom well, not putting things away, then cleaning. I tried to get dishes done, so that her focus could be on a CLEAN kitchen. And I put the cat out. That's about it.

E.,

I have been in cleaning industry for 13 years. I have just recently sold my company. I still provide professional organizing services. I will tell you that some of our customers picked up before we arrived, others did nothing. If you can pick up piles of papers, kids toys, backpacks, etc. it makes it easier to clean your home. We would practice caution around paperwork and such. If it was put away, we could have cleaned better. In bathrooms, if you have bottles and such put them in baskets. Many cleaning companies will not take the time to pull back bottles and clean the tops. We always did clean behind canisters, bottles, and such. FYI, we did not do dishes. Some companies may do them. It is best to have the kitchen sink clear. I hope this helps. Enjoy your clean home. www.busysolutions.com
Take care,
Danabeth S.
Busy Solutions, LLC

If it was me, I would just put away things that I might not want the cleaning crew to mess with. Other than that, let them sweep, mop, vacuum, etc. Don't be like one of those ladies that has to clean before the cleaning crew gets there. LOL!