Should I prep for my cleaner?


Whether you're welcoming a cleaner for the first time or having a regular clean, knowing how to prepare your home for a cleaning service can save time, reduce stress, and improve results. As an established cleaning company serving homes across East Anglia, we’ve compiled our top recommendations to help you get the most from every visit.

We understand that not everyone is able to prep and you definitely don't have to, it's your own preference but it does save time, therefore money and your cleaner can complete more cleaning rather than tidying.


Why Preparation Matters

Hiring a professional cleaning service doesn’t mean you need to scrub before they arrive—but a few simple steps can help cleaners focus on the cleaning.

Our customers often ask:

  • Do I need to tidy up before a cleaner arrives?
  • Should I leave out my own cleaning products?
  • Will they clean around clutter or organise things?

This blog answers those questions and more.



1. Tidy Up, Don’t Deep Clean

You don’t need to clean before the cleaners—that’s our job! But light tidying is highly recommended.

What to do:

  • Pick up toys, clothes, paperwork, or other clutter from floors and countertops.
  • Wash up any dishes and put away.
  • Remove personal items from bathroom counters.


Why? Tidying frees up surfaces and floors so cleaners can vacuum, dust and polish efficiently without needing to move lots of items.



2. Clear Kitchen & Bathroom Surfaces

Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most time-intensive areas to clean—especially in UK homes where limescale and grime build up quickly.

What helps:

  • Remove dirty dishes and food items from counters.
  • Take toothbrushes, razors, or cosmetics off the sink area.
  • Keep on top of stray hairs.


Pro tip: use a squeegee after showering to remove the water and reduce limescale building up.



3. Secure Pets & Provide Access

At Cleaning Queen we love pets—but they can be distracting.

On the day of cleaning:

  • Let us know if pets will be home (especially if they’re reactive or nervous).
  • Keep pets in a separate room or garden if possible.
  • Ensure keys, alarm codes, or access instructions are communicated in advance if you won’t be in.


Some clients also leave out pet-safe floor sprays—we're happy to use these when requested.


4. Make Special Requests in Advance

Want us to focus on skirting boards, deep bathroom scrubbing, or skip a certain room? Just let us know.

Best practice:

  • Message or email requests or you can let your cleaner know on the day if you wish as long as it fits within the timescale booked.
  • Label any areas that should be avoided (e.g. work-from-home offices)



5. Leave Out Products (If Required)

While Cleaning Queen bring their own products, clients with allergies, eco concerns, or pets may prefer to supply their own. We use our clients vacuum and mop so please either advise us where these are kept or leave them out for your cleaner.

Options:

  • Leave out preferred products (e.g. Method, Ecover, Zoflora) and tools (like your own mop or vacuum).
  • Speak to your cleaner or leave a note if certain products should or shouldn't be used in certain rooms.


If you’d like us to use your own products just let us know—we’re happy to do this.



6. Prep Payment & Instructions (If You're Out)

If you won’t be home during the clean:

  • Provide us with detailed instructions on access and any specific requests in advance
  • Leave payment (if paying by cash) in a clearly labelled envelope.
  • Ensure doors, gates or alarm systems can be operated easily.



7. Don’t Worry About Perfection!

Your cleaner isn’t judging your home. We’re here to make life easier, not harder. Life gets messy—especially with children, pets, or a busy schedule. That’s exactly why you asked us to help.

We recommend:

  • Keeping open communication.
  • Letting us know what’s most important to you.
  • Booking regular cleans (weekly or fortnightly) for consistently clean results.




Preparing for your cleaner’s visit doesn’t need to take long—but a small effort can make a big difference. With a clear space to work and clear instructions, your cleaner can deliver the sparkling results you’re paying for.



by Danielle Navarro 10 February 2026
February can feel like one of the longest months of the year! The weather’s still cold, routines are hectic, and after the fresh motivation of January, many busy families struggle to keep on top of household cleaning. If you’re juggling work, school runs, family life and everything in between, the last thing you want is to spend your limited free time scrubbing and tidying. The good news? A few smart cleaning hacks can save you hours, reduce stress, and keep your home feeling fresh — even during the busiest weeks. Here are 10 realistic, time-saving cleaning hacks every busy UK family needs in February. 1. Focus on “High-Impact” Areas Only You don’t need to clean everything every day. In February especially, focus on the areas that make the biggest difference: Kitchen surfaces Bathroom sinks and toilets Living room floors Hallways and entry points Keeping these areas clean instantly makes your home feel tidier — even if the spare room hasn’t been touched. 2. Create a 10-Minute Daily Reset Set a timer for just 10 minutes each evening and do a quick reset: Clear surfaces Load or empty the dishwasher Wipe kitchen counters Tidy toys and clutter Small daily efforts prevent mess from building up and avoid the need for exhausting weekend clean-ups. 3. Clean Little and Often (Not All at Once) Trying to deep clean the entire house in one go is overwhelming. Instead: Clean one bathroom one day Vacuum downstairs another Wipe kitchen cupboards another day Breaking cleaning into manageable chunks fits better around busy family schedules. 4. Use February as a “Declutter Lite” Month You don’t need a full Marie Kondo overhaul. February is perfect for small declutters: One kitchen drawer One cupboard One shelf Less clutter means less to clean — and less stress overall. 5. Keep Cleaning Supplies Where You Use Them Save time by storing supplies where you need them: Bathroom cleaner in the bathroom Floor wipes near high-traffic areas Microfibre cloths in the kitchen No more running around the house searching for products when you’re short on time. 6. Get the Whole Family Involved (Even Kids!) Cleaning shouldn’t fall on one person. Age-appropriate tasks can make a huge difference: Kids can tidy toys or wipe tables Teens can vacuum or load the dishwasher Partners can handle bins or bathrooms Many hands really do make light work — and it teaches responsibility too. 7. Tackle Mud, Salt & Winter Mess at the Door February in the UK means muddy shoes, wet coats and salt marks on floors. Create a simple entryway system: Shoe trays or mats Hooks for coats A basket for gloves and scarves This stops winter mess spreading through the house and cuts cleaning time dramatically. 8. Use Professional Products (They Work Faster) Professional-grade cleaning products are designed to work quickly and effectively. They: Remove grease faster Kill bacteria efficiently Reduce scrubbing time This is one reason professional cleaners achieve better results in less time — and why booking a professional clean can be a game-changer. 9. Book a One-Off Clean to Reset Your Home If things have slipped (and that’s completely normal), a one-off professional clean in February can reset your home: Kitchens and bathrooms deep-cleaned Floors refreshed Dust and grime removed Once the hard work is done, it’s much easier to maintain cleanliness with small daily habits. 10. Know When to Ask for Help Busy families don’t need to do everything themselves. Between work, children, health needs and life in general, professional cleaning support can: Save hours every week Reduce stress and burnout Give you more quality time with family Whether it’s regular cleaning, deep cleaning, or help with daily tasks, support can make a real difference. Let Cleaning Queen Ltd Take the Stress Out of Cleaning This February We understand how busy life can be — especially for families, professionals, the elderly, and those needing extra support. Our experienced, friendly cleaners provide reliable domestic and commercial cleaning services tailored to your needs. If February feels overwhelming, let us help you start fresh! 👉 Contact Cleaning Queen Ltd today to book a one-off clean, regular service, or personalised cleaning plan — and enjoy a cleaner home without the stress.
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