How to Prepare Your Home for a Professional Cleaning Service

How to Prepare Your Home for a Professional Cleaning Service

You know the feeling of rushing around to tidy up before the cleaner arrives, wondering if you’re doing their job for them? In the busy urban centers of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, this is a common stress for homeowners. Our team often sees clients unsure of where the line between “tidying” and “cleaning” actually falls.

The truth is, a little strategic preparation isn’t about doing the work yourself. It is about protecting your investment. If you are paying by the hour—which most services in the Klang Valley charge—you want every minute spent on deep scrubbing, not moving piles of magazines.

Let’s look at the data, the financial logic, and the practical steps to get the most out of your session.

Why Preparation Matters: The “Ringgit” Value

Most professional cleaning services in our region charge between RM25 and RM35 per hour. When our cleaners have to spend the first 45 minutes decluttering toys, clearing dining tables, or moving shoe racks, that is roughly RM20 to RM30 of your budget used on simple organizing.

We want you to get the deep clean you paid for. By handling the surface clutter, you unlock specific benefits:

• Deep Scrubbing Focus: Cleaners can immediately tackle grout, grease, and grime.
• Humidity Control: In Malaysia’s humid climate (often 80%+), surfaces need maximum airflow to dry properly after mopping; clutter blocks this.
• Safety: Removing obstacles prevents accidents and ensures fragile items aren’t bumped.

Before the Cleaners Arrive: Essential Checklist

General Preparation

Declutter Surfaces Our cleaners are trained to clean surfaces, not organize stuff.

• Clear countertops of mail, keys, and loose change.
• Remove items from coffee tables and dining desks.
• Pick up toys, books, and prayer mats (sejadah) from the floor.
• Create clear pathways, especially in high-traffic hallways.

Secure Valuables We prioritize integrity, but peace of mind is priceless.

• Store jewelry, cash, and watches in a locked drawer or safe.
• Keep passports and important documents out of sight.
• Secure fragile collectibles that could be easily knocked over.

Digital Priority Lists Communication is faster than ever.

• Send a WhatsApp message with photos of problem spots before we arrive.
• Mention specific areas to avoid (e.g., “Don’t touch the altar” or “Skip the guest room”).
• Share preferences for cleaning products, especially if you have marble or granite floors common in Malaysian homes.

Room-Specific Preparation

Kitchen We find that Malaysian kitchens often face two specific challenges: grease from heavy cooking and pests like ants.

• Clear all dishes from the sink (unless washing them is part of the booked service).
• Store all food items in airtight containers or the fridge to allow us to spray and wipe counters safely.
• Remove appliances from the stovetop if you want the backsplash scrubbed.
• Empty the trash bin so we can sanitize the interior.

Bathrooms Our region’s humidity makes mold and mildew faster to develop in grout lines.

• Remove personal toiletries (shampoo bottles, face wash) from the shower ledges.
• Clear the floor space around the toilet and sink.
• Remove bath mats so we can mop and dry the floor underneath completely.

Bedrooms We know that fresh linens are essential in a tropical climate.

• Strip the bed if you have requested a linen change; leave fresh sheets clearly visible.
• Pick up clothes and laundry from the floor.
• Clear nightstands of small personal items like glasses or chargers.

Comparison: Tidying vs. Cleaning

To help you visualize the difference, here is what you should handle versus what we handle.

Task Category	You Handle (The “Tidying”)	We Handle (The “Cleaning”)
Floors	Pick up toys, shoes, and clothes.	Vacuum, sweep, mop, and sanitize.
Kitchen	Put away leftovers and clear sink.	Scrub sink, stovetop, and backsplash.
Bathroom	Move toiletries off the counter.	Scrub grout, disinfect toilet, polish mirror.
Dusting	Remove photo frames/knick-knacks.	Dust surfaces, baseboards, and fans.

What NOT to Do

Do not do a “Deep Clean” beforehand We have seen clients scrubbing their own toilets before we arrive! Please stop. Light tidying (picking up items) is perfect; scrubbing is our job.

Do not leave pets unsupervised Our team loves animals, but even the friendliest cats or dogs can get stressed by vacuums and strangers. Secure them in a comfortable room or crate. This prevents escapes when we open doors to bring in equipment.

Do not disconnect your internet router We often need to clean around TV cabinets and work desks. Unless necessary, leave routers plugged in so your Wi-Fi isn’t interrupted, especially if you are working from home.

Access Considerations for Condos

Living in high-rise buildings in KL or Selangor comes with specific security protocols. Our team needs smooth access to start on time.

Visitor Registration Apps

Many condos now use management apps like JaGaApp, i-Neighbour, or Graaab.

• Pre-Register Us: Generate the QR code for the cleaner the night before.
• Send the Code: WhatsApp the QR code or pass code to us or your cleaner immediately.
• Guardhouse Instructions: Inform the guards that a cleaning service is expected to prevent long delays at the gate.

Physical Keys

If you provide physical keys or access cards:

• Leave them in a lockbox if you won’t be home.
• Ensure the guardhouse accepts key drops (some strictly refuse this).

Special Circumstances

If You Work From Home

We respect that many clients operate home offices.

• Indicate “Quiet Zones” where no vacuuming should happen during specific hours.
• Schedule cleaning during your lunch break if noise is a major concern.
• Wear noise-cancelling headphones if you must remain in the same room.

For Pet Owners

Our cleaners encounter pets daily.

• Dogs: If your household follows specific religious guidelines regarding dogs (samak/sertu), please inform us so we can respect your boundaries and protocols.
• Cats: Indoor cats are escape artists. We are careful, but securing them in a room is the safest option.

After the Cleaning

Inspect the Results Immediately We encourage you to walk through the home while the cleaner is still there (or within 24 hours).

• Check the “Priority Areas” you listed.
• Lift mats or check corners to ensure thoroughness.
• Provide feedback immediately; it is the fastest way for us to adjust to your standards.

Maintain Cleanliness Our deep clean resets your home, but daily habits keep it that way.

• Wipe spills immediately to prevent ants.
• Squeegee shower glass after use to reduce water spots.

Conclusion

Preparing your home for professional cleaning takes minimal effort but drastically improves the return on your investment. A decluttered space allows cleaners to work efficiently, ensuring that every Ringgit you spend goes toward deep cleaning rather than organizing.

At 22 Cleaning, we appreciate when clients prepare their homes because it lets us deliver the best possible results. Whether you book our regular house cleaning service or a thorough deep cleaning session, contact us today and experience the difference a focused, professional clean makes for your home.