How to Prepare Your Home for a Professional Cleaner

You’ve booked a professional cleaning service. That was a smart move for your home and your schedule. But did you know that a little preparation can significantly improve the results? Here is how to get the most value from your cleaning session.

Why Preparation Matters

When cleaners arrive at a prepared home, we can focus entirely on grime and sanitation. We see this difference every day in homes across Kuala Lumpur and Selangor during our house cleaning sessions. If a team has to spend the first 45 minutes organizing toys or clearing dinner tables, that is billable time not spent scrubbing your bathroom grout.

Contact us today if you need to schedule your next session.

Without preparation, significant time is lost moving items around rather than cleaning surfaces. Think about the cost. With average cleaning rates in the Klang Valley ranging from RM25 to RM45 per hour, wasting 30 minutes on tidying is simply throwing money away. Your goal should be to let the professionals focus on the tasks you cannot—or do not want to—do yourself.

The Day Before

1. Declutter Surfaces

Clear countertops, tables, and desks of items that are not usually there. We recommend a “five-minute sweep” of each room. Grab a laundry basket and collect everything that doesn’t belong, such as stray mail, school bags, or piles of Tupperware on the kitchen island.

Don’t worry about: Permanent fixtures like coffee makers, soap dispensers, or framed photos. These can stay right where they are.

2. Do a Quick Tidy

Put things where they belong so we can reach the floor and surfaces. This simple step allows us to clean under furniture and into corners.

• Clothes: Hang them up or toss them in the hamper.
• Toys: Return them to toy boxes or shelves.
• Shoes: Place them on the shoe rack or in the cabinet.
• Prayer Mats: If you have Sejadah laid out, fold them away to keep them clean and allow for floor vacuuming.

3. Handle Dishes

Either wash the dishes or load the dishwasher before we arrive. We often get asked about this, but most standard cleaning packages in Malaysia do not include dishwashing. More importantly, dirty dishes in the sink can attract ants and cockroaches very quickly in our tropical climate. A clear sink also gives us full access to scrub the basin and faucet thoroughly.

4. Secure Valuables

While reputable services like ours conduct strict background checks, securing your valuables is a smart precaution. It protects your peace of mind and protects our staff from any potential misunderstandings.

• Cash: Store loose change or notes in a drawer.
• Jewelry: Place rings and watches in a jewelry box or safe.
• Documents: File away sensitive bills or bank statements.

5. Make a List

Note any specific concerns or priorities you want us to tackle. We love lists because they remove the guesswork. If your “wet kitchen” needs more scrubbing than the “dry kitchen,” write that down. Be specific about:

• Stains on carpets or upholstery.
• Fragile items we should avoid touching.
• Rooms that are off-limits.

The Morning Of

1. Ensure Clear Access

Condo security in KL and Selangor can be strict, so please arrange access in advance. We cannot start cleaning if we are stuck at the guardhouse. If your building uses visitor management apps like JaGaApp or iNeighbour, pre-register our team the night before. This generates a QR code that allows us to breeze through security and start on time. For landed properties, simply ensure the gate is unlocked or someone is there to let us in.

2. Secure Pets

Decide where your pets will be while we work. We love animals, but for safety and efficiency, it is best if they are secured. Some cleaners may also be uncomfortable around dogs due to cultural or religious reasons. Keeping your pets in a separate room or crate ensures everyone is comfortable and prevents muddy paw prints on freshly mopped floors.

3. Manage the Climate

Malaysia is hot, and cleaning is physical work. We appreciate a comfortable environment to work efficiently.

• Air Conditioning: If possible, leave the AC on in the main areas.
• Fans: If you want your ceiling fans cleaned, please turn them OFF before we arrive so the blades stop spinning.
• Ventilation: Open a window in the bathroom to help fumes dissipate.

4. Clear Floors

Pick up loose items that might clog a vacuum cleaner or trip a cleaner. Our teams are trained to look out for obstacles, but small items can be missed.

• Phone chargers and cables.
• Slippers and socks.
• Cat toys or pet bowls.

5. Provide Clear Instructions

Be ready to communicate your specific needs for this session. A quick two-minute chat at the start can define the success of the entire service. Tell us if you need to leave at a certain time or if the baby is sleeping in the nursery.

Room-by-Room Preparation

Kitchen

The kitchen often requires the most heavy-duty cleaning.

• Grease Traps: Clear the area around the stove so we can attack oil splatters.
• Countertops: Remove appliances you rarely use if you want us to clean behind them.
• Trash: Take out the trash if the bin is overflowing.
• Sink: Ensure it is empty of dishes and food scraps.

Bathrooms

Humidity in Malaysia makes bathrooms prone to mold and pink slime.

• Toiletries: Remove shampoo bottles and scrubs from the shower floor.
• Mats: Pick up bath mats and shake them out.
• Grout: Point out areas where mold is starting to form.
• Ventilation: Ensure the exhaust fan is working.

Bedrooms

We can change your linens if you leave fresh ones out.

• Beds: Strip the bed if you want fresh sheets put on.
• Nightstands: Clear off glasses, books, and phones so we can dust the surface.
• Under the Bed: If you want this area vacuumed, ensure no storage boxes are blocking access.

Living Areas

This is where your family relaxes, so let’s make it spotless.

• Tables: Clear coffee tables of remotes and magazines.
• Upholstery: Point out any specific stains on the sofa.
• Electronics: Let us know if expensive TVs or sound systems require special care.

Feature	Standard Tidying (You Do This)	Professional Cleaning (We Do This)
Floors	Picking up toys and clothes	Deep vacuuming and mopping
Kitchen	Washing daily dishes	Scrubbing stovetops, sinks, and backsplashes
Bathroom	Hanging up towels	Scrubbing toilets, showers, and removing soap scum
Dusting	Wiping visible spots	Dusting baseboards, fans, and blinds

What NOT to Do

Don’t Deep Clean Before They Arrive

It sounds counterintuitive, but please do not scrub your own toilets. We are the professionals, and that is what you are paying us for. Your job is to tidy up the clutter; our job is to remove the dirt, dust, and grime. Save your energy for something else.

Don’t Block Areas

Ensure we have physical access to the spaces you want cleaned. If a room is locked or blocked by heavy boxes, we will likely skip it. Open the curtains and blinds to let in natural light, which helps us spot dust more easily.

Don’t Hover

While it is fine to be home, following us room to room can slow down the process. We work best when we have space to move and focus. Feel free to stay in one room (like the home office) while we work on the rest of the house, then switch when we need to clean that room.

Don’t Skip the Walkthrough

If offered, take five minutes to walk through the home with the lead cleaner. This is your chance to set expectations and build a relationship. Point out that stubborn coffee stain on the rug or the dust gathering on the high shelves.

Communication Tips

Before the Session

Clearly communicate your expectations and logistics. WhatsApp is the standard for business communication in Malaysia, so feel free to text us your location pin and entry details.

• Scope: Confirm if you booked a “Basic Clean” or “Deep Clean.”
• Pets: Mention if you have a dog or cat.
• Parking: Tell us where to park (Visitor parking? Roadside?).

During the Session

If you are home, be available for quick questions but otherwise let the team work. We might need to ask where to find the rubbish chute or how to operate a specific appliance. Offering a glass of water is a kind gesture given the local heat, though certainly not required.

After the Session

Do a final walkthrough to check the work. We value your feedback immensely. If something was missed, tell us immediately so we can fix it while we are still there. Prompt payment helps us keep our operations running smoothly.

Special Situations

First-Time Cleaning

Expect your first session to take longer than subsequent ones. We are learning your home’s layout and likely dealing with some accumulated dust. Consider booking an extra hour to ensure we don’t have to rush.

Deep Cleaning Preparation

For intensive deep cleaning, preparation is even more critical.

• Cabinets: Empty them completely if you want the interiors wiped down.
• Fridge: Throw away expired food if you requested a fridge clean-out.
• Furniture: Move lighter furniture away from walls if possible.
• Time: Block off at least 4-5 hours for the team to work.

Post-Renovation Preparation

Renovation dust is fine and gets everywhere.

• Construction: Ensure all contractors are 100% finished.
• Debris: Remove large cardboard boxes and construction waste (cleaners usually don’t haul trash).
• Utilities: Verify that water and electricity are turned on.

Checklist: Quick Reference

Print or save this checklist to your phone.

Day Before:

• Declutter surfaces (5-minute sweep).
• Register cleaners on JaGaApp/iNeighbour (if condo).
• Secure cash and jewelry.
• Write a priority list.

Morning Of:

• Clear floors of shoes and cables.
• Wash or load dishes.
• Secure pets in a safe room.
• Turn off ceiling fans.

Ready to Go:

• Access instructions ready.
• Priority areas noted.
• Contact number available.
• Payment prepared.

The Bottom Line

Preparation doesn’t need to be extensive—just enough to let cleaners focus on cleaning. We want to give you the sparkling home you deserve. A few minutes of organizing your space can save you money and ensure you get the high-quality results 22 Cleaning Service is known for.

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Booking your first cleaning with 22 Cleaning Service? We’ll guide you through the process and ensure a smooth experience. Contact us today.