5 Things Professional Cleaners Wish You'd Do Before They Arrive, According to Reddit Users

Having a professional cleaner assist with housework is truly a blessing. Hiring them not only saves you valuable time but also alleviates some of your mental burden. However, allowing cleaners into your home means exposing your private spaces—and any messes you might have. It’s only natural to wonder what cleaners think of your home and how they view your personal space.

In most cases, cleaners focus on making your home shine, not judging your space. However, there are a few habits they wish clients would break. In fact, pro cleaners shared their top pet peeves on Reddit, and we decided to ask our own expert to confirm or debunk these claims while offering advice on how to make their job easier (and your home cleaner). Below, discover the changes cleaners wish you would make before they show up and how these small steps can improve both their work and your home's cleanliness.

Clear Off Objects from Central Surfaces

One of the most frustrating things for a professional cleaner is hearing this phrase: 'Just clean around things.' If you've ever said this, it's time to rethink your approach.

'People always assume this will save time,' shares a cleaner. 'In reality, it takes a lot more time. I have to carefully navigate around every obstacle with my cloth, ensuring nothing gets knocked over. But with clear surfaces (or by simply moving things), I can clean swiftly and efficiently.'

So, how much should you clear away before the experts arrive? Sarah McAllister, founder and CEO of GoCleanCo and House Work, advises to simply ditch the unnecessary knick-knacks.

'When it comes to small clutter that collects on tables and counters, moving it out of the way can make a big difference. Before your cleaner arrives, remove items like junk mail, pens, and papers from these surfaces,' McAllister suggests. 'Some small appliances and table decor are fine, but the less you leave out, the easier it is to maintain cleanliness. Excess items on counters can attract splashes from cooking and gather dust more quickly.'

If you have the cupboard space to store them, McAllister suggests putting appliances like toasters and mixers away. The bonus? It gives your kitchen a more neat and organized appearance.

Clear Dishes from the Sink

The kitchen sink is another area where cleaners often have strong opinions. One shared their frustration with food scraps sticking to the sink and drain, while another complained about piles of dirty dishes.

'One of our main requests to clients is please do your dishes and put them away before we arrive, including emptying the dishwasher,' McAllister says. 'Kitchens are one of the most time-consuming rooms to clean. If we are busy washing dishes and hunting for where you store your salad bowls, we're losing valuable time that could be spent scrubbing your oven or baseboards.'

De-Gunk Your Brooms, Brushes, and Rags

If your cleaners use tools and products you provide, it's crucial to keep those items clean. While it may seem obvious, cleaners on Reddit have shared complaints about brooms and brushes clogged with hair, and dirty, hard-to-use rags.

'If your broom is collecting hairballs and dust, I suggest giving it a thorough cleaning with your vacuum hose,' McAllister recommends. She points out that this isn't always something that needs to be done before a cleaner arrives, but she stresses the importance of emptying the vacuum cleaner bag before each cleaning session.

Pick Up Items from the Floor

Your floors are likely home to dirty clothes, dog toys, stray shoes, and various other items. After all, you're only human. But removing stray objects from the floor is a huge help for cleaners. 'I hate 'floordrobes!' When my clients leave dirty laundry around 🤢!' one cleaner shared. Another avoids clients who 'leave stuff all over the floor that I’m expected to pick up.'

'I always say, we can’t clean your baseboards if we can’t see them,' McAllister says. 'So, put away those piles of clothes and get your kids to pick up their toys, too!'

Of course, no one is perfect, and cleaners understand that. 'We ask our clients to leave us a 'go bin' – basically a box or laundry hamper where we can put little knick-knacks or things we find under or around the couch,' she shares. 'They can go through it when they get home. This helps us clear the clutter, making the home feel refreshed, while preventing people from searching for things after we leave.'

But Don’t Do a Deep Clean Before Cleaners Arrive

'My biggest pet peeve, ironically, is when the house is already clean,' a cleaner admits. 'It takes all the fun out of it! I'm just wiping down already clean surfaces. I also can’t justify my rate when I finish so quickly.'

In these cases, a cleaner might shift to a 'detail clean,' focusing on areas like the tops of ceiling fan blades or kitchen cabinets. Still, most cleaners prefer to do the cleaning themselves.

'We appreciate it when clients tidy up before we arrive so we can focus on the cleaning. But remember, you hired us to clean, so let us do our job,' McAllister says.

Her top recommendation? Simply clear away the clutter. 'If you do the initial 'pick up' before the cleaner arrives, we’ll have more time to scrub grout or clean your light fixtures,' she explains. 'I always ask: Do you want someone to tidy up or someone to clean? Some people want both—just remember, you get what you pay for, and cleaning properly requires a lot of time.'