How to prepare your home for a cleaning service

A cleaner's time is usually what you pay for, whether the price is per hour or a fixed amount based on how long the job should take. The more of that time goes into cleaning rather than moving things around or guessing what you want, the better the result. A bit of preparation before the first visit makes a noticeable difference, and most of it only needs doing once.

Decide what kind of cleaning you need

A regular clean keeps a home in order: dusting, vacuuming, mopping, the kitchen and the bathroom. A deep clean goes further and takes longer, for example inside the oven and fridge, behind furniture, limescale, grout and skirting boards. People often book one deep clean first and regular visits after that.

On Bouncing Bison you will find these under home cleaning and deep cleaning, with separate categories for window washing and carpet cleaning. Pick the one that matches the job so the provider knows what to expect before they reply.

Write a short list of priorities

Few homes get cleaned top to bottom in one visit. Tell the cleaner what matters most to you, in order. For example: bathroom and kitchen first, then floors throughout, then dusting in the bedrooms if there is time. Mention anything you do not want touched, such as a desk with papers on it, plants, or a child's room.

Send this list when you request the booking, in the note to the provider, so they can tell you whether it fits in the time you are booking. You can add to it later in the booking chat.

Clear the surfaces

Cleaners clean; they do not usually tidy. If the kitchen counter is covered in post and the bedroom floor has clothes on it, part of the visit goes into moving those things, and the cleaner has to guess where they belong. Before the visit:

• Put away clothes, toys, papers and anything lying on the floor.
• Clear kitchen counters as much as you can and load or run the dishwasher.
• Empty the sink of dishes if you are not paying for washing up.
• Take jewellery, cash and important documents out of sight. This is ordinary caution with anyone new in your home, and it also means nobody has to worry about moving them.

Sort out supplies and equipment

Agree in advance who brings what. Some cleaners bring all their own products and equipment, some expect to use yours, and some bring products but use your vacuum cleaner. Ask directly, and if you are providing the supplies, check that you have:

• A working vacuum cleaner with an empty bag or bin.
• A mop and bucket.
• Cloths, sponges and rubber gloves.
• Products for the surfaces you have. Natural stone, wooden floors and some worktops need specific cleaners, so point these out.
• Bin bags.

If anyone in the household has allergies or you prefer certain products (unscented, for example), say so before the visit.

Access, pets and practical details

Tell the cleaner how they will get in, especially if you will not be home. Explain the entry code, where to find the key, whether there is an alarm and where they can park. If you have pets, say whether they will be at home and whether they need to stay in a particular room. Point out anything fragile or anything that breaks easily, like a wobbly shelf or a tap that sticks.

The booking chat on Bouncing Bison is a good place for these details because they stay attached to that booking, and only you and the provider can read them.

Agree on time and price

Before the first visit, confirm:

1. How the price works: per hour, or fixed for the job.
2. How long the cleaner plans to stay.
3. What happens if the job takes longer than planned.
4. How and when you pay.
5. How much notice either of you needs to give to cancel or move the visit.

Listings show the provider's price and unit (per hour, per session or a fixed price), or "Contact for price" when it depends on the job. If you need an invoice, filter the search by verified businesses, which shows providers registered as a company that can issue one.

After the first visit

Walk through the home and note what went well and what you would like done differently. Tell the cleaner directly and specifically, for example "the shower glass still has marks" or "you do not need to do the spare room every week". Most cleaners prefer to hear this early.

If you plan to book the same person regularly, save their listing with the heart icon so it appears in your saved list. Once the provider marks the booking as done, you can leave a review. A short, specific review, such as what was cleaned and whether they arrived on time, helps other people more than a line of praise.