You don't need to clean before the cleaners arrive — that defeats the purpose. But a small amount of preparation will get you significantly more value out of your professional cleaning service. Here's the 10-minute prep routine our Knoxville cleaners recommend.
The 24 Hours Before
1. Pick Up Clutter
This is the most impactful prep step. Clothes on the floor, toys in the living room, mail piled on counters, and dishes in the sink all add time to your clean — and that time is better spent on actual cleaning. A 15-minute pickup pass through your home before the cleaner arrives effectively buys you 30+ extra minutes of detail work.
2. Decide on Special Requests
If you want specific add-ons — inside the oven, inside the refrigerator, interior windows, laundry — communicate those when you book, not when the cleaner arrives. Add-ons take time and tools the cleaner needs to plan for. Hero House Cleaning's online booking includes a comments field for special requests.
3. Plan for Pets
Pets get stressed when strangers enter the home and start moving around. Plan to:
- Confine pets to one room with food, water, and a litter box (cats) during the cleaning
- Or schedule the cleaning during a time when you can take the pet on a walk or to daycare
- Inform the cleaner of any pet allergies, anxieties, or special handling instructions
The Morning Of
4. Strip Beds (If You Want Beds Made)
If you want your beds remade with clean sheets, strip them in the morning and leave the clean sheets on the bed. The cleaner will make the beds as part of the service.
5. Clear Counters Where Possible
Empty the kitchen sink of dishes (load the dishwasher). Move small appliances aside if you want under them cleaned. Stack mail in one pile instead of spreading it out. The cleaner can still work around items but cleared surfaces get a more thorough wipe.
6. Secure Valuables
Cash, jewelry, prescription medications, and important documents should be stored away — not because cleaners can't be trusted (ours are all background-checked, Google Guaranteed, and bonded), but to remove ambiguity in case anything is misplaced. Removing the question removes the risk.
7. Confirm Access
If you won't be home, confirm how the cleaner gets in — keypad code, lockbox combination, hidden key location, or smart lock instructions. Test the code or key the day before. Hero House Cleaning sends arrival and departure text confirmations so you know when the cleaner is in and out.
What You DON'T Need to Do
Many homeowners over-prepare. Skip these:
- Pre-cleaning. Don't dust, wipe counters, or vacuum before the cleaner arrives. That's literally what they're being paid to do.
- Folding laundry. Unless laundry is an add-on you booked, it's not part of standard service.
- Moving heavy furniture. The cleaner will work around it. We move accessible furniture (rugs, light items) as part of deep cleans.
- Leaving snacks or drinks. Kind but unnecessary — cleaners bring their own water.
Special Cases
If You're Booking a Deep Clean
A deep clean includes baseboards, ceiling fans, behind furniture, and inside microwaves. Move breakable items off windowsills and shelves where dust collection requires detail wiping. Empty the microwave so it can be cleaned. If you want behind appliances cleaned, the cleaner can move the microwave or toaster oven; refrigerators and washers/dryers stay put unless arranged in advance.
If You're Booking a Move-In/Move-Out Clean
Schedule the move-out cleaning after movers are out — never before. The home must be empty. Disconnect utilities last (the cleaner needs water and electricity). Coordinate with your landlord or property manager on inspection timing so the cleaning happens within 24–48 hours of inspection.
If You're a Knoxville Airbnb Host
Stock your supply closet before each turnover — replacement linens, toiletries, paper goods, coffee pods. The cleaner restocks from your inventory but can't conjure supplies that aren't there. Leave a written house rules card or guest instructions where the cleaner can confirm placement.
What If I Forgot Something?
Don't worry. Our cleaners are trained to handle the situations real homes throw at them. Forgot to strip a bed? They'll work around it. Pet got loose? They'll secure them gently and call you. Couldn't make the booking time work? Call (865) 507-1405 and we'll reschedule.
Book a Knoxville house cleaning with Hero House Cleaning. We serve Knoxville, Farragut, Maryville, and surrounding East Tennessee areas. Rated 4.94★ from 258 Google reviews.
