The most common thing Edmonton clients say before a first visit? "Sorry, I should have cleaned before you came!" Please don't. You're hiring us precisely so you don't have to. But a little preparation — we're talking ten minutes — genuinely helps us deliver a better clean.
Pick Up the Clutter (That's It, Really)
We're cleaners, not organizers. If the floors and surfaces are buried under toys, mail, laundry, and random stuff, we spend the first chunk of the visit just clearing space — time that could go toward actual cleaning. A quick lap through the house tossing things into baskets or rooms where they belong makes a real difference.
You don't need to organize the baskets. Just get things off the surfaces we clean: counters, floors, bathroom vanities, coffee tables. Think of it as clearing the runway.
Put Away Anything Valuable or Sentimental
We're careful and insured, but heirlooms, important documents, jewellery, and fragile keepsakes are better tucked away. Not because anything will happen — in hundreds of Edmonton homes, it essentially never does — but because you'll relax more during the visit, and that's worth a lot.
Strip the Beds (If You Want Fresh Sheets)
If your booking includes linen changes, strip the beds before we arrive and leave fresh sheets folded on the mattress. We'll remake them crisply. If you'd rather we handled it from scratch, just say so when booking — either way works.
Secure the Pets (Or Don't — Just Tell Us)
Most Edmonton cleaners love animals. But a nervous rescue dog or an escape-artist cat adds chaos to the visit. Options: pop pets in one room we'll clean around, arrange for them to be out, or just warn us so we can plan. The worst outcome is a surprise — a dog bursting through the front door mid-visit helps nobody.
Leave a Note About Priorities
The single most useful thing you can do: tell us what matters most. "The bathrooms need the most love." "Please focus on the kitchen floors — the kids destroyed them." A two-line note on the counter (or a text to us) means we aim our time where you'll notice it most.
What NOT to Do
Don't pre-clean. Wiping counters before the cleaner arrives is like washing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher — it just wastes your time. Don't apologize for the mess. We've seen everything, and a lived-in home is literally why we exist. Don't hover unless you want to — most clients head out and come back to a fresh house, which honestly feels amazing.
The 10-Minute Pre-Clean Checklist
If you want a dead-simple routine before every visit:
- Quick clutter sweep — baskets for each room
- Dishes into the dishwasher (or stacked neatly)
- Laundry off the floors
- Valuables tucked away
- Pets sorted
- Priority note on the counter
That's it. We'll take it from there — and when you walk back in, you'll wonder why you didn't book sooner. Get your free quote and we'll handle the rest.