Written by MaidEX Cleaning Services Editorial Team · Reviewed by Milad Hoseini, Founder & CEO · Published August 9, 2026 · Updated October 16, 2026 · 4 min read
Quick answer
You don't need to clean before your cleaner arrives — that's the job. The prep that actually helps takes about five minutes: tidy clutter off surfaces and floors, note your priorities at booking, sort out access (home, keypad, lockbox or key), tell us about pets, and flag anything fragile or off-limits. Do that and the whole visit goes to real cleaning instead of moving your things around.
Do you need to clean first? (No)
This is the question almost everyone asks, so let's settle it: you don't need to pre-clean for a professional cleaner — that's literally what you're paying for. The one thing worth doing is a quick tidy, which is different from cleaning. Tidying clears the way so the team can reach every surface; cleaning those surfaces is their job. Booking your first-ever clean? See what to expect the first time.
1. Quick tidy of surfaces
Clear countertops, tables and floors of everyday clutter — mail, toys, laundry, dishes. We clean every surface we can reach, so the clearer they are, the more of them we get to in the same visit. You don't need to put everything away perfectly; just get the big stuff off the surfaces you want cleaned.
2. Tell us your priorities
If there's a room that matters most, or something specific you want focused on, add it in the notes when you book online. A clear priority list means the visit is spent exactly where you want it. Not sure what's covered by default? See what's included in a house cleaning — and if you want inside-oven, inside-fridge or interior windows, add those as paid add-ons at booking so the team plans time for them.
3. Sort out access
Let us know how we get in — you'll be home, a keypad code, a lockbox, or a key location — plus anything about parking or where the garbage/recycling goes. You can add all of this at booking under “Access, parking & garbage,” or we'll confirm it with you before your clean. Sorting this out ahead of time is the single biggest way to avoid a delayed start.
4. Plan for pets
Pets are welcome — just tell us about them so the team can work safely and comfortably. If a pet is anxious around strangers or vacuums, it often helps to keep them in one room during the visit. There's no extra charge for homes with pets.
5. Flag anything fragile or off-limits
Have a delicate heirloom, a surface that needs a specific product, or an area you'd rather we skip? A quick note saves guesswork and protects the things that matter. For reference, there are a few things we don't cover — like moving heavy furniture, exterior or pressure washing, or mould/biohazard cleanup — so you always know what to expect.
The 5-minute checklist
- Clear clutter off the surfaces and floors you want cleaned
- Add your top priorities (and any add-ons) in the booking notes
- Confirm how the cleaner gets in, plus parking/garbage
- Let us know about pets, and settle anxious ones in one room
- Point out anything fragile, specialty-surface, or off-limits
- That's it — supplies are included, so there's nothing to buy
Every MaidEX cleaner is insured and background-checked, and every clean is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee — if something isn't right, tell us within 24 hours and we make it right.
Ready when you are — see your price in about 60 seconds.
Flat-rate, 5% GST shown, no PST · Insured & background-checked · Metro Vancouver & the Lower Mainland
Book a cleanFrequently asked questions
Do I need to clean before the cleaner comes?
No — cleaning is the cleaner's job. The only prep that helps is a quick tidy of everyday clutter (mail, toys, laundry, dishes) off surfaces and floors, so the team spends the visit on actual cleaning instead of moving your things around.
How do I prepare for a house cleaner?
Five quick things: tidy clutter off surfaces and floors, note your priorities at booking, sort out how the cleaner gets in, tell them about any pets, and flag anything fragile or off-limits. That's it — about five minutes of prep for a noticeably better clean.
Should I be home when the cleaner comes?
It's up to you. You can be home, or provide access another way — a keypad code, a lockbox, or a key location. With MaidEX you add access details at booking under “Access, parking & garbage,” and the team confirms before the visit.
What should I do with my pets?
Pets are welcome — just tell us about them in advance so the team can work safely and comfortably. If a pet is anxious around strangers or vacuums, it usually helps to keep them in one room during the visit.
Do I need to provide cleaning supplies?
No. MaidEX cleaners arrive fully stocked with their own supplies and equipment, and an eco-friendly product option is available on request — just note it at booking.
About the author
Milad Hoseini
Founder & CEO, MaidEX Cleaning Services
Written by the MaidEX Cleaning Services Editorial Team and reviewed by Milad Hoseini, who founded MaidEX in Vancouver. MaidEX provides insured, background-checked cleaning across Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. More about MaidEX →
How this guide was made
This guide draws on MaidEX's hands-on cleaning experience across Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, along with publicly available sources. It was drafted with the help of AI tools, then reviewed and fact-checked by our editorial team and approved by Milad Hoseini, Founder & CEO, before publishing.