Is My House Too Dirty for a Cleaning Service? What You Need to Know Before Having a Cleaner for the First Time
There are Cheerios strewn across the kitchen floor.
Your new puppy just tracked mud from one end of the house to the other.
And you fear that the ring around your bathroom tub may be here to stay.
We get it.
Family life can be crazy busy. And with everything that's going on, finding the time to clean the house may very well be the last thing on your list.
You'd love to hire a cleaning service, but you're wondering if a cleaning service would even be willing to tackle a house like yours.
If you're wondering if your house is too dirty for a cleaning service, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we cover everything you need to know about cleaning services for very dirty houses.
Table of Contents
Can a House Be “Too Dirty” for a Cleaning Service?
The short answer is ... it can.
Houses that may be too dirty for cleaning services include:
Homes with excessive trash; or
A house that contains hazardous materials — which could include things like excrement that has been left in and around a toilet for too long
The easiest way to answer the question, “Is my house too dirty for a cleaning service?” is to answer the question, “Is it safe to clean?”
2 Reasons People Think Their House Is Too Dirty for a Cleaning Service (When It Really Isn’t)
The fact is that, in general, most people think their house is dirtier than it actually is.
Trust us. Your professional house cleaning service has seen worse.
Here are the top 2 reasons why people think their home is too dirty for a cleaning service:
#1: It's Too Cluttered
The main reason people think their house is too dirty for a cleaning service boils down to one word: clutter.
Their home may have excessive amounts of furniture that make it difficult to move around the rooms.
Or maybe they have a huge collection of knick-knacks.
If this is you, your home isn’t a lost cause!
By doing a quick walk-through, a professional housekeeping service will let you know if there are a few items you need to move out of the way, so your home can be effectively cleaned.
#2: They’re Perfectionists
Oftentimes, a homeowner feels that their home should always be meticulously clean. They want it to look like a perpetual Pinterest page and may be embarrassed by a house that simply looks "lived in."
It's not uncommon for these individuals to not want anyone, including house cleaners, to see their homes unless they are sparkling clean.
Rest assured that to your house cleaning team, your home is a “no-judgment zone.”
They understand that daily life can occasionally be a messy operation, and they respect your privacy and maintain strict confidentiality.
The house cleaning teams at Tidy Up Portland! are used to working in apartments and homes with tiny rooms and plenty of belongings.
Make an appointment with us today to talk through any house cleaning concerns you may have.
How Do I Prepare My House for Cleaning Services?
Whether you're having a cleaner for the first time or have hired cleaners for years, here are some things you can do to set the cleaners up for success — and save you money:
Get organized
Clear surfaces
Do dishes
Wipe the bathroom
Clean up after pets
Make your bed (Prefer not to? We offer a hotel-style sheet change as an add-on service.)
7 Things to Do Before the Cleaners Arrive
If you've never used a cleaning service, you might not realize that there's a certain etiquette to follow when you’re having a cleaner for the first time.
And if you're wondering about the logic of cleaning before the cleaning lady comes, think of it this way: A little pre-cleaning will not only set your cleaner up for success — it’ll also save you money.
#1: Get Organized
Here’s the bottom line: A disorganized mess of a home is harder (and more expensive) to clean.
If you're a bit of a “mess,” and have collected a fair amount of stuff, you'll definitely want to organize a bit before having a cleaner for the first time.
“A place for everything, and everything in its place,” is the key.
Before the cleaners arrive, take a quick look around and clear out the clutter by:
Picking up toys
Putting away the fallout of your latest “clothing crisis;” and
Folding throw blankets
#2: Clear Surfaces
“I know there's a counter under here somewhere.”
Whether it's the kitchen counter or the vanity in the bathroom, clearing the flat surfaces in your home is a great way to prepare for your housekeeping team’s arrival.
Put away:
Toothbrushes
Makeup
Washcloths
Mail
Vitamin and medication bottles; and
Stray cups and plates
#3: Do Your Dishes
Cleaning the three-day-old macaroni and cheese pan or the skillet coated in a thick layer of greasy bacon residue isn’t a fun job!
Some cleaning companies are willing to do dishes, while others are not. Be sure to ask your cleaner if they offer this service.
If your cleaning company does not wash dishes, you should wash and put away dishes before they visit your home. This ensures that your cleaner has plenty of time to make your kitchen spotless.
#4: Give the Bathroom a Once-Over
The wad of hair in the tub, your toddler’s failed attempt at hitting the toilet, and the used tissues that missed the wastebasket.
If you do a quick pick-up of these things, you will help your cleaner focus on the most important bathroom tasks, such as the cleaning the tub, toilet, floors, vanity, and more. And your cleaner will thank you!
#5: Clean Up After Your Pets
We know you love your fur babies. We do too!
But as adorable as they are, pets can make cleaning tough.
If your favorite feline made a kitty litter mess all over the laundry room or your Goldendoodle pup had another “oopsie” on the rug, go ahead and clean up the mess.
And while we’re talking about pets, crating them or keeping them behind closed doors will make it easier for your cleaning team — and your pets.
#6: Make Your Expectations Clear
Do you want your blinds dusted?
Would you like us to clean inside the fridge?
Or maybe you want to have your clean towels placed “just so” on the towel bar.
It's impossible to underestimate the importance of making your expectations clear to your house cleaning team.
When you book an appointment with Tidy-Up Portland!, we'll talk about expectations right off the bat.
You'll have the opportunity to let us know what you do and don't want us to do. This way we can ensure that we each have the same vision for your home so there are no misunderstandings.
#7: Do a Little Pre-Cleaning
While we can (and have) cleaned just about everything, having a professional house cleaning service doesn't mean that you should skip cleaning altogether.
Doing a little pre-cleaning can save your house cleaning team a considerable amount of time — and save you a considerable amount of money.
There's no need to deep clean your stove or start wiping baseboards, but it is helpful to do things such as:
Cleaning up spills
Taking out the trash
Putting your shoes away
Loading the dishwasher; and
Picking up clutter
By tackling these jobs before the cleaning service arrives, you can cut the time it takes them to give your home a thorough once-over.
Tidy Up Portland! Offers Exceptional Cleaning at a Reasonable Price
If you're looking for a professional house cleaning service In the Portland area, look no further than Tidy Up Portland!
We offer both hourly and flat rate options, plus we’ll give you a discount for having us come weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.
And you'll be glad to know that we assign one of our professional cleaning teams to your home if you choose to have ongoing service.
Kick up your feet, relax, and choose the service that brings balance into your home: Tidy Up Portland!
