Spinoff to house cleaners, for those that have one - ?s

Do you "prep" anything before the cleaning person arrives? I have someone starting tomorrow and I'm wondering how to prepare...

should I put away my jewelry?
empty the bathroom garbage?
clean off the countertops?
pick Ella's toys/Al's clothes up off the floor?

how much, if anything, should I do before she gets here? TIA

Re: Spinoff to house cleaners, for those that have one - ?s

I would do a "straightening up" kind of thing. They'll probably clean stuff, but not put things away. Clean off your countertops, put clothes and toys away, etc. Get rid of the clutter, and they will do the actual cleaning.

Re: Spinoff to house cleaners, for those that have one - ?s

I always straighten up. I try to straighten as much as possible so she can concentrate on pure cleaning. Clutter, mail, clothes get put away or at least in meat piles. For the most part - I try to regularly keep up with this so it is a pretty quick straightening.

Toys - for the most part I straighten up but with Kevin - they wind up all over in 5 minutes so it is usually futile.

Garbage - they take out so I don't empty outside the oridinary.

Jewelry and money I do put away - I don't want to take chances.

Message edited 2/5/2007 7:35:34 AM.

Re: Spinoff to house cleaners, for those that have one - ?s

i think it depends on the person (for hiding things) however i always take out all my supplies, vacuum etc, as well as straighten out my dresser and things so she can clean there.

Re: Spinoff to house cleaners, for those that have one - ?s

I always prepare before they come to clean. I:
* put away all mail
* take out the sheets I want them to use on the beds
* open all my blinds so they can get to the windows and ledges easily
* pick up any clothes or toys that might be out

Re: Spinoff to house cleaners, for those that have one - ?s

not to hijack, but for those of you who answered here, I'm trying to get a recommendation for a cleaning person. if you feel comfortable, and you'd recommend the person you use, could you FM me please? Thank you

Re: Spinoff to house cleaners, for those that have one - ?s

Re: Spinoff to house cleaners, for those that have one - ?s

We straighten. We are usually pretty neat, so it is not a major undertaking. The main thing is that I put away shoes. I tend to leave them around when we are not having the cleaning lady.

Re: Spinoff to house cleaners, for those that have one - ?s

Re: Spinoff to house cleaners, for those that have one - ?s

I trust the woman who comes to my house but I don't leave any really valuable jewelry/cash around.

I always straighten up the night before she arrives. She wouldn't know where half our crap goes anyway!

I don't empty the garbage or anything - she does that when she's here.

I also make sure my dishwasher is empty so she can fill it if needed.

Re: Spinoff to house cleaners, for those that have one - ?s