Posted on October 4th, 2021
Hiring a maid service is a great way to create more free time, but it doesn’t necessarily mean your housekeeping days are over. In addition to taking care of basic daily cleaning tasks (like washing the dishes and doing laundry), you’ll probably still need to do some light cleaning in between visits from your maid, especially if you have a large family. And, to ensure you get the best value from your cleaning service, it’s also a good idea to tidy up a bit before your maid arrives so that they can clean efficiently.
If you’re planning to hire one of our licensed, bonded professional maid service in Norman, OK for extra cleaning help, check out the following guide to figure out what, and how much, you should clean before we visit. Or, you can reach out to us directly to inquire about our services.
Why Should You Clean Before Your Maid Arrives?
Probably the most compelling reason to tidy up before your maid visits is the potential cost-saving benefits of this practice. Most cleaners charge by the hour; as such, removing obstructions from your maid’s path (so she can clean more quickly) can make a big difference in your final bill. It’s also the best use of your cleaner’s expertise: After all, anyone can tidy up dirty laundry and cleaning up the kid’s toys, but it often takes a skilled professional to safely remove stubborn stains and clean hard-to-reach places. By letting your maid focus on big and difficult jobs, you’ll ensure your cleaning budget is used to its fullest potential.
Keeping your home orderly can also prevent hassles for both you and your house cleaner. Remember: Unless you leave your maid specific instructions, she (or he) has no way of knowing where you like to keep your magazines, personal care products, kid’s toys, etc. If you leave items lying around prior to your maid’s visit, they may end up in places you wouldn’t normally keep them – making them hard to locate later.
5 Ways to Prepare For Your Maid’s Visit
Clear away clutter.
Whether you’re cleaning on your own or hiring a professional to do it for you, working around clutter slows things down significantly. Before your maid arrives, perform a quick inspection on each area of your home and make sure everything is in its proper place.
If it takes you more than ten minutes to tidy up miscellaneous items, it may be time to reduce the amount of clutter in your home. Take inventory of everything you own and consider discarding or donating anything you haven’t used in over a year, provided that it isn’t irreplaceable.
Do your laundry.
Though some professional cleaners are willing to do laundry, they usually charge an extra fee for this service. As such, if you haven’t worked out a special arrangement with your maid, it’s better to do your laundry before she (or he) visits. Taking this step will ensure your maid doesn’t have to work around dirty clothes and laundry baskets. Likewise, washing dirty clothes is a great way to reduce unwanted odors, meaning your home will smell even fresher after your maid visits.
Wash the dishes.
Like laundry, dish washing isn’t included in most cleaning service packages. Taking a moment to put dirty dishes in the dishwasher is therefore a standard part of preparing for maid visits. With all of the dishes out of the way, your house cleaner will be able to properly sanitize your kitchen counters and sinks, which is an important part of maintaining a hygienic kitchen.
Get in the habit of making your bed every morning.
Many cleaning services – including Happy Cleans – include bed making as part of their standard cleaning package. Still, making your own bed is a simple way to save your maid some time and potentially reduce the cost of cleaning.
Making your bed in the morning can also have unexpected psychological benefits: Research suggests that people who make their beds sleep better and enjoy improved concentration throughout the day. They typically also have a greater sense of accomplishment and an enhanced ability to manage stress because they begin each day with a positive ritual.
If you have extra time, spend 15 minutes dusting and vacuuming.
As any housekeeper knows, dusting can be time-consuming, fiddly work. To reduce the amount of time your maid needs to spend dusting, use your vacuum cleaner’s brush attachment to remove excess dust from walls, shelves, and cabinets. Then, run a quick vacuum over the floor.
Struggling to Find an Oklahoma City Cleaning Service That Meets Your Needs? Try HappyCleans
Cleaning service clients run the gamut from people who need occasional housework help to individuals who rarely ever have time to clean. As such, it’s important to choose a flexible cleaning service – like Happy Cleans – that offers multiple cleaning packages suited to different lifestyles. Not only do we give our clients the option of weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly appointments, but our comprehensive cleaning plans also take care of many of the little details other cleaners leave out, like making beds and cleaning tabletops. This ensures that our clients don’t have to spend a lot of time preparing for our visits if they would rather relax or take care of other commitments.
Finally, know that no matter what, our affordable Oklahoma City maids are here to help. If you’re too overwhelmed to tidy up your home before we arrive, we’ll understand. We know that many things, like illness or the arrival of a new baby, can interfere with a person’s ability to clean. Regardless of your current situation, we’ll get your home gleaming again – All you have to do is contact us to arrange an appointment and spend your day relaxing at Lake Thunderbird.