There are many reasons to hire professional house cleaning services. Whether you need help cleaning your home in preparation to move in or before moving out, to help you through a big life transition like having a new baby, or to get things in order before a major event, like an office party or backyard wedding, it is only reasonable to have some questions when you hire professional cleaners for the first time.

One of the most popular questions is: Do you need to clean or tidy up before the cleaners get there? Remember, the reason you are hiring house cleaning services is to take care of many day-to-day tasks or chores for you. Deep cleaning your home is counterintuitive and unnecessary. That being said, there are some small things you can do to prepare the space before cleaners arrive. These things include:

Get Rid of Unnecessary Clutter

No, you do not need to throw out small pieces of paper or debris you find on the floor. While an overwhelming 84% of homeowners say that a clean carpet is an essential part of a clean home, that is another thing you do not have to worry about. Cleaners will thoroughly vacuum carpets for you.

It is helpful to get any big items off the floor. It is easier for professional cleaners to vacuum carpets and mop floors without anything piled up on top of them.

Often, cleaners work by the hour. While they can tidy up and organize old mail for you, realize that that cuts into your time. If you would rather they spend that time scrubbing cabinets and surfaces to an impressive sheen, toss or recycle the mail ahead of time.

Likewise, if you have any personal belongings or treasured items that you do not want others to handle or touch, put them out of the way in a safe place before the cleaners come in.

Prepare a List of Priorities

As with anyone else, your cleaners cannot read your mind. If there are specific areas or tasks you would like them to focus on while cleaning your home, write out instructions letting them know it. Be clear, concise, and to the point.

Know the Difference Between Deep Cleaning and Maintenance Cleaning

If you host an event at your home and hire house cleaning services to tidy up the next day, that is considered deep cleaning. Likewise, if you have a lot of clutter, grime, and particularly unruly rooms to start, that will require an initial deep clean. If you clean your home just a little, clearing away clutter and other basics, that will require lighter, maintenance cleaning. Maintenance cleaning is considerably less expensive than deep cleaning.

When hiring cleaners for the first time, do basic cleaning up around the house and leave clear instructions. For those who want to skip even an initial, cursory cleaning, deep cleaning services are available.