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“I have to clean up this place before the cleaning ladies come tomorrow!”
I stressfully deliver these words every Monday night as my kids giggle and tell me how ridiculous I am. “Why do you have to clean before they come, Mom?” They tell me it doesn’t make sense. And to be honest, I wish it didn’t, but to me, it makes perfect sense. I can’t possibly have them walk into our usual mess — water bottles on every counter, towels and laundry on the floor, etc. I would be completely embarrassed! Still, there are times when I do leave dirty dishes in the sink or a full garbage bag in the kitchen before their arrival. I can’t help but wonder: What do they think when they arrive to dishes, garbage, clutter or piles of clothes on the floor? Do they feel pressure to clean the mess I don’t expect them to clean? Am I their least favorite client?
If you are fortunate enough to have the help of professional cleaners, chances are you’re ambivalent about the pre-clean, too. Maybe you have even laughed about it with friends and family. To sort out a reasonable pre-clean protocol, I decided to go straight to the professionals to get the answers once and for all. Here’s what I learned:
A pre-clean is helpful.
The burning question that arises when there isn’t enough time for a thorough pre-clean is: Do I really have to? Daniel Brown, CEO of Handy Cleaners, says, “From the professional cleaner’s standpoint, it isn’t necessary, but it is contributory.” It is their job to clean messes of all shapes and sizes. Brown explains, “Cleaning up personal items and clutter allows [the cleaning team] to start deep cleaning,” like mopping the floors and scrubbing the bathrooms. Don’t let shame or fear of judgment be your motivation to tidy up. Think of it as a collaboration and a way to help the cleaners focus on the bigger tasks.
Communication is key.
If you would like extra help with the clutter or laundry, ask! Your cleaning staff just needs appropriate notice so they can plan accordingly. Roman Peysakhovich, CEO of Cleango, says, “Cleaners tend to have their days scheduled with multiple appointments each day. If a cleaner spends an extra 20-30 minutes picking up toys and clothes off the floor, this would disrupt their entire schedule.” Be open about your cleaning needs from day one. Honest communication is key. If you could use help with the clutter, go ahead and say that. “Most cleaners have a preset, extra charge for clutter,” says Peysakhovich, so if you are willing to pay for the extra help, you can skip the pre-clean, guilt-free.
Don’t be embarrassed.
So, you booked and paid for extra help with your clutter, but now you are dealing with a little something called messy-home shame? No, no, no, Girlfriends, you can put that embarrassment and fear of judgment far away. Josh Miller, CEO of Clean Carpets, tells all of his clients, “There is no reason to be embarrassed over your mess. We are here to help make it clean and pristine, no matter what it looks like [when we arrive].” Life is busy, and there isn’t always time for a pre-clean, and that’s okay. Miller adds, “If you really can’t clean because it overwhelms you, that’s okay. We are trained for it and happy to help.”
They have seen it all.
Peysakhovich points out that they have seen it all before. “We have walked into a bedroom with a huge pile of used underwear and socks, an apartment with the floor covered in trash and boxes and [plenty of] bedrooms with mounds of laundry on the floor.” They have likely seen and cleaned something similar to your mess (or worse) before. Peysakhovich shares that when his staff walks into a bigger-than-expected mess, they simply call clients to discuss options. “They can either pay an extra fee for the clutter or clean it themselves while our cleaners focus on other things. [Sometimes] we offer a full-day package of cleaning and clutter-removal at its corresponding price.” Remember, Girlfriends, they are there to clean, not judge.
Messes and clutter are temporary. And whereas they do not define our home, they are typically evidence of the very things that do — love, adventure, fun and relationships. The dishes in the sink are remnants of your family dinner, the clothes on the floor smell like your favorite yoga class, and the empty wine glass is reminiscent of your anniversary celebration. Home is where the heart is, and when you invite a professional cleaner into your home, you share evidence of your heart with them. If you treat them with respect and as collaborators, most will deliver a wonderfully clean version of your heart right back to you. Enjoy it, guilt-free!
How many of YOU have a cleaner? Do you clean up before they come? Let us know in the comments below.
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