Don’t clean before your cleaners arrive. Scrubbing the shower or wiping baseboards yourself uses up the work you’re paying for. The goal before a deep clean is to clear the way, not to do the cleaning.
Mistakes to avoid
- Pre-cleaning: leave the grime for the professionals. That’s what the deep clean is for.
- Leaving clutter on floors and counters: the team has to move it before they can clean, which uses up your booking time.
- Decluttering at the last minute: rushing in the morning often means piles get moved from room to room. Tidy the day before.
- Leaving dishes in the sink: the team can’t scrub the sink or counters around them.
- Forgetting to mention problem areas: tell us about stains, pet accidents, mould spots or delicate surfaces when you book, not at the door.
- Not planning access: if you won’t be home, arrange the key, lockbox code or concierge entry ahead of time.
- Leaving pets loose: keep them in one room or crate so they’re calm and the team can work safely.
- Leaving valuables out: put away cash, jewellery and important documents.
What to do instead
Pick up items from floors, clear the counters you want cleaned, put dishes in the dishwasher and make a short list of your top priorities. Fifteen minutes of prep the night before lets the team spend the whole visit on detailed cleaning.
For the full checklist, see things to do before your Toronto house cleaners arrive.