How to prepare for a house cleaning

To prepare for a house cleaning, leave your entry and lock-up instructions, clear the counters, shelves and tables you want wiped, and get any add-ons ready: empty the fridge, run the oven's self-clean cycle, empty the cabinets. You don't need to be home.

Do I need to be home?

No. Entry, alarm, parking, pet and lock-up instructions can be provided in advance.

Be specific. "Side door code, alarm panel left of the door, park on the street, the cat hides under the bed" gets a cleaner in and working.

"I live out of state and had to help with selling my parents' house from afar. It was nerve-wracking to hire cleaners, knowing I couldn't actually be there to check up on the cleaning myself. They answered questions quickly leading up to the cleaning, and they also asked for my feedback afterward. My realtor's report is that they did a perfect job getting the house ready for listing!"

D'orazia Airone, Google review

Should I clean before the cleaner comes?

No. But do clear.

Counters, shelves and tables are wiped when they're clear of clutter. Move the mail, the chargers and the cereal boxes off the surfaces you want done.

If the home needs more time than booked, you get options before extra work is added.

Two other small things that help:

• Leave out trash bags. The customer supplies them.
• Make sure the water, electricity and lights are on. A cleaning needs all three.

Booked an add-on? Here's what it needs

• Inside fridge. Empty it before the cleaner arrives. The freezer is not included.
• Inside oven. Run the self-clean cycle first. The add-on cleans the oven interior, racks and door.
• Inside kitchen cabinets and drawers. The cabinets need to be empty.
• Dishes. One sink load washed and put away, or one full dishwasher cycle.
• Inside window glass. Interior glass only. Screens aren't included, and no ladders are used.
• Finished basement. A finished space only. An unfinished basement needs a special request.

What if I think of something else?

Need one small thing done while we're there? Tell us before your appointment and we'll do our best to fit it in if time allows. Bigger jobs, like the inside of the fridge or oven, are add-ons you can pick when you book.

Tell the office, not the cleaner on the day. Tina's is your central contact for booking, communication, payment and support, and that's how a request gets onto the job.

What happens on the day?

Plan for a 2 hour arrival window.

Confirmation and schedule updates come by email and text, so watch both.

And when the cleaner is finishing?

If something in your booked scope was missed, walk through before the cleaner leaves and tell us, so it can be fixed on the spot. If you notice it later, call the office within 24 hours and we'll send a cleaner back to re-clean it at no charge, or take care of it at your next scheduled cleaning. If that falls on a weekend, call the next business day and it still counts.

Do you serve Cherry Hill?

Tina's serves South Jersey and Central Jersey, and that includes Cherry Hill.

FAQ

Do I need to be home for my house cleaning? No. Entry, alarm, parking, pet and lock-up instructions can be provided in advance.

Should I clean before the cleaner comes? No. Clear the counters, shelves and tables you want wiped, because those are wiped when they are clear of clutter.

How do I get the oven ready for the inside oven add-on? Run the oven's self-clean cycle first. The add-on cleans the oven interior, racks and door.

Does the inside fridge add-on include the freezer? No. The fridge must be emptied before the cleaner arrives, and the freezer is not included.

What if I notice something was missed? If something in your booked scope was missed, walk through before the cleaner leaves and tell us, so it can be fixed on the spot. If you notice it later, call the office within 24 hours and we'll send a cleaner back to re-clean it at no charge, or take care of it at your next scheduled cleaning. If that falls on a weekend, call the next business day and it still counts.

Book it

Go to tinascleanteam.com/book-now, pick your add-ons, and see your price before you submit. Questions first? Call or text (609) 831-4455, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Learn more about Deep Cleaning and House Cleaning.