Getting the most out of your cleaning service starts before the team arrives. A few minutes of preparation means the cleaning team spends their time doing what you hired them for — cleaning — rather than working around obstacles. Here's exactly what to do (and what not to do) before your Sparkling Stays team shows up.
 *Photo: Unsplash*
Why Preparation Matters
A professional cleaning team brings expertise, the right products, and focused effort. What they can't do is know your home as well as you do. When surfaces are cleared and priorities are communicated, the team moves through your space efficiently and thoroughly. When they have to navigate around piles of clothing or guess which rooms matter most, time gets spent on logistics instead of cleaning.
This is especially true for first-time clients booking a [deep clean](/en/blog/deep-cleaning-vs-standard-cleaning-montreal): the team needs to access every surface, behind appliances, and inside cabinets. A decluttered, accessible space means you get the deep clean you paid for.
10 Steps to Prepare for Your Cleaning Visit
1. Pick Up Personal Items and Clutter
Clear counters, tables, desks, and floors of loose items — mail, toys, clothing, shoes, electronics, and anything that doesn't belong on a cleanable surface. The cleaning team needs direct access to surfaces to clean them. Every minute spent moving things is a minute not spent scrubbing, mopping, or polishing.
This doesn't mean your home has to be spotless before they arrive. A quick 10-minute tidy — picking things up off floors and stacking them out of the way — is all it takes.
2. Secure Valuables and Sensitive Documents
Our team is fully background-checked and insured. That said, we recommend securing jewelry, cash, medication, financial documents, and prescription items before any service visit. This is standard practice for professional cleaning services everywhere, and it gives you complete peace of mind while the team works.
3. Ensure Access to All Rooms
If you want a room cleaned, make sure it's accessible. Unlock all bedrooms, bathrooms, and storage areas you'd like included. If any room is off-limits, let us know in your booking notes or keep the door closed — we'll skip it without question.
For [recurring cleaning clients](/en/services/recurring-cleaning), consider leaving a door code or lockbox so you don't need to be home at all.
4. Communicate Your Priorities
Is the kitchen your main concern this week? Do the bathrooms need extra attention? Are you hosting guests this weekend and want extra focus on the living room? Tell us. Leave a note on the counter, mention it in your booking, or send a quick message before the team arrives.
Our team follows your priorities. A cleaner who knows the bathrooms are your top concern allocates their time very differently from one working without guidance.
5. Manage Your Pets
Let us know in advance if you have dogs, cats, or other animals. Secure pets that may be anxious around strangers in a separate room or crate. Friendly pets can usually stay out — just let us know ahead of time so the team is prepared. We handle pet hair as part of our standard [home cleaning service](/en/services/home-cleaning); mention it when you book so nothing surprises anyone.
6. Do the Dishes
Standard home cleaning does not include washing dishes. If you want clear, cleanable kitchen counters — and you do, because counters are where the team spends the most kitchen time — run the dishwasher or do a quick hand-wash before the visit. If dishes are in a drying rack, we'll put them away.
This is the single biggest preparation step that affects kitchen cleaning quality.
7. Handle Parking and Building Access
If you're in a Montreal condo or apartment building, let us know about visitor parking, building entry codes, concierge procedures, and elevator access ahead of time. Our team shouldn't spend 15 minutes trying to get into the building — that time comes directly out of your cleaning.
Include this information in your booking notes or send it via text before the visit.
8. Note Any Problem Areas or Delicate Surfaces
Have a marble countertop that requires pH-neutral cleaner? Hardwood floors with specific product preferences? A vintage tile backsplash? Let us know. We use professional-grade products appropriate for standard surfaces, but if you have specific requirements, noting them ensures the team uses the right approach from the start.
9. Consider Children's Schedules
Let us know if young children will be home during the visit. We work safely and professionally, but small children underfoot can affect timing and access. If possible, schedule cleaning visits during school hours or when kids are out — it makes the visit smoother and faster for everyone.
10. What You Should NOT Do Before a Cleaning Visit
- Don't pre-clean everything. That's our job.
- Don't buy special products for us. We arrive fully equipped.
- Don't leave a full sink expecting us to do dishes. Standard service doesn't cover this.
- Don't forget access info if you won't be home (keys, codes, lockbox location).
- Don't cancel same-day unless it's an emergency — it affects team scheduling for other clients.
What to Expect During the Visit
Our team works systematically through your home, room by room. For a [standard cleaning](/en/blog/what-is-included-in-a-home-cleaning-service), expect bathrooms, kitchen, living areas, bedrooms, and all floors to be addressed. The team brings all supplies and products. Most standard visits for a Montreal condo or apartment take 2–3 hours; larger homes or deep cleans take longer.
You don't need to be home. Most recurring clients leave a key or door code and return to a clean space. First-time clients often prefer to be present for the initial walk-through — this is completely fine and helps set expectations for future visits.
First Visit vs. Recurring Visits
Your first visit is typically more thorough than subsequent visits — the team starts from a higher baseline of accumulated grime and works to bring the home to a maintained level. Prepare more carefully for your first visit: declutter every accessible area, communicate all priorities, and note any problem surfaces.
For weekly or biweekly recurring visits, preparation becomes quicker and more routine because the home stays cleaner between sessions. See our guide on [how often to book cleaning services](/en/blog/how-often-should-you-book-recurring-cleaning) for help choosing the right frequency for your lifestyle.
Quick Pre-Visit Checklist
Use this before every visit:
- Floors and surfaces cleared of clutter
- Dishes done (or dishwasher running)
- Valuables secured
- Pets managed and team notified
- All rooms accessible (or locked rooms noted in booking)
- Priorities communicated (note, text, or booking instruction)
- Building access info sent (codes, parking, concierge)
- Keys or door code arranged if you won't be home
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to clean before the cleaners arrive?
No — you shouldn't need to pre-clean. Simply declutter surfaces (pick up clothing, mail, toys) and do the dishes. Everything else is our job. A clear kitchen counter and accessible floors are enough to set the team up for a great visit.
Should I be home during the cleaning visit?
Most clients are not home during their visit. You can leave a key, provide a door code, or use a lockbox. If it's your first visit and you'd prefer to be present for the initial walk-through, that's completely fine — many new clients stay the first time to show the team their space and preferences.
How far in advance should I book?
For a standard recurring visit, 48–72 hours is ideal. For a [deep cleaning](/en/services/deep-cleaning) or [move-out cleaning](/en/services/move-in-out-cleaning), book 5–7 days ahead — these are longer appointments and fill up quickly, especially around Montreal's July 1 moving day.
What if I forget to mention something important?
Text or call 438-867-8770 any time before the visit. You can add a note to your booking online, or simply leave a note on the counter when the team arrives. If you think of something once the team is already there, tell the team leader at the start of the visit.
Do I need to provide cleaning products or equipment?
No. Sparkling Stays arrives fully equipped with professional-grade cleaning products and all necessary tools. If you have preferences for specific products — eco-friendly, fragrance-free, or for delicate surfaces like natural stone — mention it in your booking notes and we'll accommodate.
How is a first deep clean different from a regular recurring visit?
A [first deep clean](/en/blog/deep-cleaning-vs-standard-cleaning-montreal) is more thorough and takes longer — the team tackles built-up grime, cleans inside cabinets, behind appliances, and scrubs grout lines. Your preparation is the same: declutter and communicate priorities. Allow 3–6 hours for a typical Montreal condo or apartment. For recurring weekly or biweekly visits, sessions are shorter since the space stays cleaner between cleans.
What if there are areas I don't want touched?
Just note it in your booking or leave a note for the team. Any room, cabinet, or area you want excluded is excluded — no questions asked. For rooms to skip, keep them locked or put a note on the door.
