Preparing your home for a cleaner's first visit
How to get ready for a professional cleaning team's first visit: what to tidy, what to put away, what to tell them and how to leave access and instructions.
· 2 min read
Tidy surfaces, not the whole house
You do not need to clean before the cleaners arrive, that is their job. But a team can only clean what it can reach, so clear worktops, bedside tables, bathroom shelves and floors of loose papers, toys, chargers and clothes.
A useful rule: if you would be upset to see it moved, put it away or tell the team. Clear surfaces also mean the time you are paying for goes into cleaning rather than tidying.
Put away valuables and fragile pieces
Professional teams are careful, but it is sensible to store jewellery, cash, important documents and small valuables out of sight before any new person enters your home. This protects you and protects the team from any misunderstanding.
If you own delicate art, antique ceramics or crystal, say so in advance. It is much better to agree that they will be left alone, or dusted only by you, than to find out later that nobody knew.
Tell them what matters in your home
Every home has its own particulars: natural marble that must not meet acidic products, a teak terrace, a delicate oak floor, a stainless steel hob that scratches easily. A short note or a quick walk-through on the first day helps the team use the right products on the right surface.
Mention pets, allergies, fragrance sensitivities and any preference for natural products. If there are rooms you would like skipped, or areas that need extra attention, such as a shower with limescale or a kitchen extractor, say so clearly.
Sort out access, alarm and practical details
Decide how the team will get in: you at home, a key safe, a neighbour or a property manager. Share alarm instructions, parking details, the building entry code and the best way to reach you, and avoid sending passwords or codes in an open message.
Check that there is water, electricity and a working vacuum cleaner or agreed equipment, and that the team knows where bins and recycling go. In a holiday rental, also say where clean linen and supplies are kept.
Be realistic about the first visit
A first clean often takes longer than later ones, because it resets the home and the team is learning it. Dust, limescale and grease built up over months will not all disappear in one visit, and a good team will tell you honestly what was done and what needs a second pass.
Afterwards, share feedback while it is fresh. Lavanda welcomes a short conversation after the first visit, so that every following clean fits your home, your routine and your standards.
