You’ve booked professional cleaners for your Newcastle home—great choice! But now you’re wondering: “Should I tidy up before they arrive? What should I do to prepare?”
The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. While professional cleaners can work around clutter, a little preparation ensures you get the absolute best value from your service. Whether you’re in Charlestown, Hamilton, Merewether, Adamstown, or Kotara, this guide will help you prepare properly.
The Golden Rule of Preparing for Cleaners
Cleaners clean, they don’t organize.
Professional cleaners focus on cleaning surfaces, not tidying clutter. If they spend 30 minutes moving toys, clothes, and dishes, that’s 30 minutes not spent actually cleaning your home.
💡 Key Principle: The more surfaces you clear, the more actual cleaning your cleaners can accomplish in their allotted time!
The Essential Pre-Cleaning Checklist
Kitchen Preparation (15-20 minutes)
DO These Things:
- ✅ Clear countertops: Put away small appliances, papers, mail
- ✅ Empty sink: Load dishwasher or wash dishes by hand
- ✅ Clear stovetop: Remove pots, pans, utensils
- ✅ Empty bins: Take out rubbish so cleaners can replace liners
- ✅ Put away food items: Clear benches of fruit bowls, bread, etc.
- ✅ Refrigerator prep: If inside fridge is being cleaned, remove perishables or note preferences
DON’T Worry About:
- ❌ Wiping down surfaces (that’s what you’re paying for!)
- ❌ Sweeping or mopping
- ❌ Cleaning appliances
Bathrooms Preparation (10 minutes)
DO These Things:
- ✅ Clear vanity surfaces: Put away toiletries, makeup, hair products
- ✅ Remove bath mats and towels: Cleaners need to access floors and surfaces
- ✅ Clear shower/bath: Remove bottles, soaps, toys
- ✅ Put away medications: Store safely out of the way
- ✅ Empty bins: Remove used tissues, cotton buds, etc.
Special Note: If you have specific cleaning product preferences for bathrooms (eco-friendly, scent-free), let cleaners know in advance!
Living Areas & Bedrooms (20-30 minutes)
DO These Things:
- ✅ Pickup toys, books, and clutter: Use baskets if needed—just get them off the floor
- ✅ Clear coffee tables and side tables: Remove magazines, remotes, decorations
- ✅ Put away clothes: Dirty clothes in hamper, clean clothes in wardrobe
- ✅ Make beds accessible: If you want beds made, strip to fitted sheet or let cleaners know your preference
- ✅ Move small furniture if needed: If you want under furniture cleaned, move lightweight items
- ✅ Secure valuables: Put away jewelry, cash, important documents
- ✅ Clear floors: Pick up shoes, bags, cords, anything that might impede vacuuming
DON’T Worry About:
- ❌ Dusting (that’s the cleaner’s job!)
- ❌ Vacuuming or mopping
- ❌ Organizing shelves or cupboards
Pets: What You Need to Know
If You Have Dogs or Cats:
Option 1: Secure Your Pet (Recommended)
- Put dogs in backyard or secured room
- Place cats in a bedroom or laundry (with food/water/litter)
- Leave a note for cleaners: “Dog in backyard, please keep door closed”
Option 2: Let Cleaners Know About Pet
- Inform cleaners in advance: “Friendly golden retriever, may follow you around”
- Ensure pet is calm and won’t be stressed by strangers
- Some pets are perfectly fine with cleaners—know your pet’s temperament
Always Do:
- Pick up pet toys from floors
- Note any pet accidents for special cleaning attention
- If you have a reactive or anxious pet, always secure them for safety
The Night Before: Final Preparation
Access & Keys
If You’ll Be Home:
- No special prep needed
- Be available to answer questions
- Point out any problem areas when cleaners arrive
If You’ll Be Out:
- ✅ Leave a key in agreed location (lockbox, under mat, with neighbor)
- ✅ Provide alarm code if applicable
- ✅ Leave garage remote if cleaners need internal access
- ✅ Ensure gates are unlocked if cleaners need backyard access
- ✅ Leave your phone number for any questions
Special Instructions
Leave a note covering:
- Priority areas: “Please focus on kitchen and bathrooms”
- Problem spots: “Red wine stain on living room carpet”
- Off-limits: “Please don’t move items on home office desk”
- Delicate items: “Vase on shelf is antique—dust carefully”
- Pet info: “Cat in laundry, door closed”
What NOT to Do Before Cleaners Arrive
Don’t Waste Your Time On:
- Pre-cleaning your home: You’re paying for cleaning! Don’t scrub toilets or mop floors beforehand
- Apologizing for mess: Cleaners have seen it all—they’re not judging
- Deep organizing: Light tidying is enough; don’t reorganize your entire house
- Worrying about dust: That’s literally what you hired them for!
- Stressing about perfection: Your home doesn’t need to be perfect before cleaners arrive
💡 Real Talk: Professional cleaners in Newcastle have seen homes in all states. A bit of mess is normal—don’t be embarrassed!
First-Time vs Regular Cleaning Prep
First Deep Clean: More Prep Needed
If it’s your first time with professional cleaners or a deep clean:
- More thorough decluttering recommended
- Empty cabinets if interior cleaning requested
- Remove items from oven and fridge
- Clear window sills for detailed cleaning
- Move lightweight furniture if you want underneath cleaned
- Allow extra time (4-8 hours for deep clean)
Regular Maintenance Clean: Minimal Prep
If you have weekly or fortnightly cleaning:
- Quick 10-15 minute tidy is enough
- Cleaners learn your home and preferences
- Establish a routine prep that works for you
- Less clutter accumulates between visits
Room-by-Room Quick Prep Guide (30 Minutes Total)
| Room | Prep Time | Quick Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | 10 min | Clear counters, empty sink, take out bins |
| Bathroom(s) | 5 min each | Clear vanity, remove bath mats, put away toiletries |
| Living Room | 5 min | Pick up toys/clutter, clear coffee table |
| Bedrooms | 5 min each | Clothes in hamper/wardrobe, clear nightstands |
| Entire Home | 5 min | Quick floor sweep for large items, secure valuables |
Special Situations: Extra Preparation
After a Party or Event
- Throw away obvious rubbish (bottles, plates, decorations)
- Note any spills or stains for special attention
- Consider booking a deep clean instead of regular
With Young Children
- Have kids help pick up their toys (teaching moment!)
- Secure any choking hazards or small items
- If you’ll be home, plan activities to keep kids occupied
Home Office Areas
- Put important documents in drawers
- Note if desk should not be touched: “Please dust around computer, don’t move papers”
- Clear printer/scanner surfaces
During Renovations
- Wait until renovations are complete for best results
- If cleaning during renos, note construction areas to avoid
- Book post-renovation cleaning after final work
What to Expect on Cleaning Day
When Cleaners Arrive
- They’ll do a walkthrough to understand layout and priorities
- Ask if you have any specific requests or problem areas
- Confirm expected cleaning time
- Begin working systematically through the home
During the Clean
- You can stay home or leave—either is fine!
- If home, you can work/relax in a clean room while they work elsewhere
- Expect noise from vacuums and equipment
- Professional cleaners work efficiently and respect your space
After the Clean
- Do a quick walkthrough to ensure you’re happy
- Note any missed spots for immediate touch-up
- Provide feedback for future visits
- Enjoy your clean home!
🏠 Ready to Book Your Newcastle Clean?
Professional cleaning for all Newcastle suburbs!
Regular cleans, deep cleans, and specialized services available.
Or call (02) 4001 6254
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Professional cleaners have seen it all and won’t judge. However, excessive clutter means less time for actual cleaning. A quick tidy beforehand maximizes your investment. If your home is extremely cluttered, consider booking extra time or a deep clean.
Either option is perfectly fine! Many clients leave a key and go out, while others stay home and work/relax. If you’re home, cleaners will work room-by-room so you can use spaces they’ve already finished.
No! Newcastle Cleaners arrives fully equipped with all professional-grade supplies and equipment. You don’t need to provide anything. If you prefer specific eco-friendly products, just let us know in advance.
For a regular clean, 20-30 minutes of quick tidying is enough. For a deep clean, allow 45-60 minutes for more thorough decluttering and preparation. The key is clearing surfaces and floors—you don’t need to pre-clean!
Don’t stress! Professional cleaners are flexible. They’ll work around items or ask you to quickly move things if you’re home. The worst case is they spend a few minutes tidying, which means slightly less time for deep cleaning.
Standard cleaning services focus on cleaning, not organizing. However, you can request organizational services as an add-on for extra time/cost. Most cleaners will do light organizing (straightening cushions, making beds) as part of cleaning.
Final Preparation Tips from the Pros
Our Newcastle Cleaners team shares their top tips:
- “Clear surfaces = better clean” – The #1 thing that helps us deliver amazing results
- “Communicate special requests in advance” – Don’t leave a surprise note on cleaning day
- “Secure valuables out of sight” – For your peace of mind and ours
- “Leave accurate time estimates” – Tell us if your home is bigger/messier than usual
- “Regular clients need less prep” – Once we know your home, you can relax more
Make the Most of Your Professional Clean
A little preparation goes a long way toward maximizing your professional cleaning service. By spending 20-30 minutes clearing clutter and surfaces, you ensure your cleaners can focus on what they do best: making your Newcastle home sparkle.
Remember: You’re not trying to impress the cleaners—you’re simply clearing the way for them to work efficiently. They’re professionals who’ve seen homes in all states, and they’re here to help, not judge!
Ready to enjoy a professionally cleaned home without the hard work? Learn more about how often you should book professional cleaning or explore the difference between deep clean vs regular clean.
About Newcastle Cleaners: We’re your local professional cleaning service, proudly serving the greater Newcastle area with reliable, affordable, and high-quality cleaning services. We understand Newcastle homes and make preparation easy for our clients.