Why Knowing How to Declutter Before a Cleaning Service Makes All the Difference
Knowing how to declutter before a cleaning service arrives is the single most impactful thing you can do to get more out of every appointment. Before we dive in, here is a quick answer to get you started:
How to declutter before a cleaning service — quick steps:
- Clear all surfaces — countertops, nightstands, desks, and bathroom ledges
- Pick up floors — shoes, toys, laundry, and bags
- Handle dishes — load the dishwasher or wash and put them away
- Gather laundry — move it into hampers or closets
- Secure valuables — put away jewelry, cash, and important documents
- Tidy bathrooms — remove personal care items from the shower and sink
- Sort pet items — pick up toys and remove waste
- Leave a note — let your cleaners know which areas need extra attention
Spending just 15 minutes on these steps before your cleaners arrive can save them 30 to 45 minutes of tidying — time they can spend actually deep cleaning your home instead of moving your stuff around. Some homeowners effectively get an entire extra room cleaned simply by prepping well.
Here is the reality: professional cleaners are trained to scrub, sanitize, and deep clean. They are not organizers. When they walk into a home covered in clutter, they cannot access the surfaces that need the most attention — the hidden grime under the coffee maker, the dust along the baseboards, or the buildup behind bathroom products. Clearing the way lets them do what they do best.
This is especially true in busy Spokane households, where life moves fast and clutter has a way of piling up between visits.
I’m Sabrina Jones, owner of Maids of Movher and a decade-plus veteran of the home services industry in Spokane, Washington — and understanding how to declutter before a cleaning service is one of the most common things I help clients with. Let me walk you through exactly what to do so your next cleaning appointment delivers the results your home deserves.
Why You Should Know How to Declutter Before a Cleaning Service Arrives
We often hear the joke, “I have to clean before the cleaners get here!” While you definitely don’t need to scrub your own toilets, there is a massive difference between cleaning and decluttering. When we talk about how to declutter before a cleaning service, we are talking about removing obstacles.
Professional cleaners generally charge by the hour or provide a flat rate based on a specific scope of work. If our team spends 20 minutes picking up LEGOs and sorting through mail piles, that is 20 minutes we aren’t spending scrubbing your baseboards or polishing your fixtures. By clearing surfaces, you allow us full access to the “nooks and crannies” where dust bunnies love to hide.
Furthermore, decluttering is a matter of etiquette and efficiency. It ensures that your items are placed exactly where you want them, rather than being moved to a “miscellaneous” pile by a cleaner who isn’t sure where your car keys or important documents belong. To see exactly what our pros cover once the surfaces are clear, check out our Cleaning Checklists.
A Room-by-Room Guide on How to Declutter Before a Cleaning Service
In Spokane and Spokane Valley, our homes endure everything from muddy spring paw prints to winter boot slush. This means high-traffic areas need the most help. To make your prep easier, we recommend the “Clutter Basket” method: carry a laundry basket from room to room and toss in anything that doesn’t belong on a flat surface.
Focus first on the entryway. In the Inland Northwest, the “shoe pile” by the door is a real struggle. Clearing these away allows us to properly mop or vacuum the grit that accumulates there. In the living room, focus on toys and magazines. For a deeper look at what we do in every room, see The Ultimate Checklist for Recurring Room Cleaning in Liberty Lake WA.
Clearing Kitchen and Bathroom Surfaces
The kitchen and bathroom are the most labor-intensive rooms to clean. To get that “sparkling” finish, we need to reach the actual stone or tile.
- Kitchen: Move small appliances (toasters, blenders) if you want the space behind them wiped. Clear away mail piles and ensure the sink is empty. An empty sink is a happy sink!
- Bathroom: Remove toiletries, makeup, and toothbrushes from the counters. If the shower floor is covered in half-empty shampoo bottles, we can’t scrub the tile effectively.
Managing Bedrooms and Living Areas
In the bedroom, the biggest hurdle is often clothing. If the floor is clear, we can get under the edge of the bed where dust accumulates. Clear off nightstands so we can dust the lamps and tabletops without knocking over personal items.
Essential Tasks to Handle Yourself Before the Pros Arrive
While we are happy to handle the heavy lifting of sanitizing your home, there are a few “daily life” tasks that are best handled by the homeowner to keep the service focused on deep cleaning.
- Dishes: Most cleaning services do not include doing a full sink of dishes. Loading the dishwasher ensures we can sanitize the sink itself.
- Laundry: Move dirty clothes into hampers. If you want your linens changed, strip the beds and set out fresh sheets in a visible spot.
- Trash: While we empty the bins, clearing out large cardboard boxes or excessive trash helps us move through the home faster.
Securing Valuables and Personal Documents
Even with a highly trusted, woman-owned local company like Maids of Movher, it is best practice to secure your valuables. This isn’t just about security; it’s about peace of mind for both you and the cleaner.
- Jewelry and Cash: Place these in a drawer or safe.
- Sensitive Paperwork: Clear desks of bills or medical records so they don’t get misplaced during dusting.
- Medications: Keep these in a cabinet or drawer.
Preparing for Pet and Child Safety
We love your furry family members, but they can sometimes be “underfoot” during a service.
- Pet Waste: Professional cleaners are generally not equipped to handle biological waste. Please ensure litter boxes are scooped and yard waste is cleared if we are doing any outdoor-adjacent areas.
- The “Toy Rescue Mission”: Involve the kids! Tell them the cleaners are coming and it’s time for a “rescue mission” to get all their toys back into their bins.
- Safety Gates: If you have specific areas that are off-limits to pets or kids during the clean, ensure gates are secure. For more tips on maintaining a clean home with a busy family, check out The Ultimate Checklist for Recurring Room Cleaning in Liberty Lake WA.
Common Mistakes: What Not to Do When You How to Declutter Before a Cleaning Service
The most common mistake? Over-cleaning. Please, do not feel the need to vacuum or mop right before we arrive. That is exactly what you are paying us for! We have seen it all—dust bunnies, cobwebs, and messy kitchens—and we are never here to judge.
Another mistake is moving heavy furniture. For safety and insurance reasons, most cleaners cannot move large items like sofas or china cabinets. If you want us to clean behind the fridge or under the couch, please move those items before we arrive.
Communication and Home Access Tips
A smooth cleaning day starts with clear instructions.
- Access: Ensure we have the correct key code or hidden key location.
- Priorities: If the guest room is fine but the kids’ bathroom is a disaster zone, leave a note! We love knowing where to focus our “extra” energy.
- Alarms: Make sure we know how to disarm and re-arm your security system.
Special Preparation for Deep Cleans and Move-Out Services
If you are prepping for a move in Mead or Airway Heights, the decluttering process is even more vital. A “Move-Out” clean is a top-to-bottom service that includes the insides of cabinets, drawers, and appliances.
To get the best results, the home should be completely empty of personal belongings. This allows us to scrub every inch of the pantry and the inside of the oven without working around leftover spices or pans. For a comprehensive guide on transitioning out of your home, see our Move-Out Cleaning Guide Liberty Lake WA or Your Mead Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for a Smooth Move.
Frequently Asked Questions about Professional Cleaning Prep
Should I be home during the cleaning appointment?
It is entirely up to you! Many of our clients in Spokane Valley prefer to be out running errands or at work so they can return to a fresh, finished home. If it is your first time using our service, staying for the first 10 minutes to do a walkthrough is often helpful.
How much time should I spend on pre-cleaning decluttering?
For most homes, a quick 15 to 20-minute “sweep” the night before is plenty. Focus on clearing the floors and the main countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms.
What should I do if I forget to tidy up a specific room?
Don’t panic! Our professionals are experts at working around items. If a room is too cluttered to clean safely, we will simply focus our efforts on the other areas of your home and do our best to tidy what we can.
Conclusion
At Maids of Movher, we take pride in being a locally and woman-owned business serving Spokane, Liberty Lake, and the surrounding areas. Our commitment to our well-paid, happy employees means you get consistent, high-quality service every time.
By following these tips on how to declutter before a cleaning service, you aren’t just making our jobs easier—you are investing in a deeper, more thorough clean for your home. Ready to see your surfaces shine? Explore our Deep Cleaning Services and let us take the stress of housework off your plate.
