How do I prepare my home for my new housekeeper?

Household & Cleaning
April 28, 2025

How do I prepare my home for the arrival of a housekeeper?

You've decided to hire a cleaner? Congratulations – a sensible step towards less chores in your daily life! But before you get started, it's worth taking a quick look at the preparation: How can you create the best conditions for your cleaner to work efficiently?

Don't worry – it's not about cleaning again before cleaning. It's more about a few simple steps that will help you create clarity from the start and make your housekeeper's job easier – for results that satisfy everyone!

Whether in Berlin, Cologne, Leipzig or Munich: Why good preparation pays off everywhere

A well-prepared home isn't just quicker to clean and cheaper. It also helps avoid misunderstandings with your cleaner and ensures better cooperation. Here are a few reasons why it's worth it:

  • Increase efficiency : The tidier the surfaces, the faster and more thoroughly they can be cleaned.
  • Communicate clear expectations : If certain things are particularly important to you, you can address them specifically .
  • Show respect : A certain level of tidiness is a sign of appreciation for the work of your household help.

Currently looking for a cleaner?

The tips of Helferei for a good start with your new household help

1. Clear the most important areas and spaces

If your housekeeper constantly has to move things around or navigate around obstacles, she wastes valuable time – time she could have used to make your apartment sparkle. So remember to clear the most important areas before your cleaner arrives.

Move things like clothes, toys, or shoes aside – especially in areas where cleaning is to take place. Clear floors and work surfaces make many things easier.

2. Tidy up the bathroom

Bathrooms often become cluttered with products, containers, or dirty laundry. Taking a few minutes to tidy up the chaos and optimize your space will not only make your housekeeper's job easier, but also help transform your bathroom into a place where you enjoy relaxing.

So put away your toiletries, put dirty laundry in the hamper, and tidy up the sink area. This will not only make the bathroom look more hygienic, but it will also get cleaned faster.

3. Organize your kitchen needs in advance.

In many homes, the kitchen is the heart of the home: between prepared meals, quickly improvised snacks, and festive dinners, one thing is often found here: a lot of clutter! To prevent your housekeeper from having to start from scratch in chaos, a few quick tips and preparations can help.

First, make sure your work surfaces are clear to allow for efficient cleaning. Second, think about your kitchen utensils and appliances: a mixer full of sticky dough or an oven with grease dripping from the baking tray can be very time-consuming. So, make sure you either clean these things yourself beforehand – or explicitly tell your housekeeper if you'd like them to take care of them. They can, for example, place particularly dirty or needing cleaning somewhere visible. Or you can leave a short note.

Finally, there's the organization of the cupboards and drawers. If you recently spent ages searching for the salt shaker or salad bowl, your cleaning staff will almost certainly need even longer to figure out where everything belongs. In that case, it's definitely time to completely rethink how you organize your drawers and cupboards.

Communication: For us, the most important key to success

Clear communication not only leads to better results – but also to absolute satisfaction with your cleaning staff!

A short checklist for the cleaning help has proven useful at the Helferei It's proven effective. Especially since many of our cleaning staff don't speak German. It simply helps to have something in writing to be able to ask specific questions, for example.

In our opinion, the following points should not be missing from a checklist:

  • Routine of tasks: Which tasks should be done during every cleaning, and where is it sufficient to clean only once a month? Floors and surfaces, for example, are likely to be addressed by your housekeeper on every visit. Window cleaning, on the other hand, is something many of our customers only book in the spring.
  • Special cleaning products: If you have specific product preferences, be sure to mention them. And don't be shy: This is very common. Some people are preventing allergies, other customers only want to use eco-friendly cleaning products, and others simply like a particular brand.
  • Sensitive areas or special care: Certain items or areas may require special attention. Inform your housekeeper if, for example, a piece of furniture is fragile, a plant shouldn't be watered too often, or if a wooden floor needs to be cleaned or soaped in a specific way.

One of the most frequently asked questions: Should cleaning supplies be provided or not?

Basically, you decide when it comes to the Helferei You yourself: Either you provide your preferred products or your cleaning staff brings everything – reliably and, if desired, also in an environmentally friendly way.

However, there are some advantages to sourcing your own products:

  • Your personal preferences will be 100% implemented: If you really like using the products and cleaning agents of a particular brand, or only want to use environmentally friendly and ecological cleaning agents, these are guaranteed to be available.
  • Allergies and sensitivities : Some of us are sensitive to certain cleaning products and chemicals. You know yourself best. If you provide your own supplies, rashes, sneezing, or other unwanted reactions are guaranteed to be a thing of the past.
  • Financial savings: Buying products in bulk can often be cheaper than buying them individually at retail stores. You can also take advantage of discounts and special offers.

And: Don't hesitate to ask your cleaner for their expertise – even if you plan to buy the cleaning products yourself! Housekeepers often have a lot of experience. They know exactly which product works best for which task. They might have ideas or special product suggestions whose results will surprise you.

Looking for a household helper in Berlin, Cologne, Leipzig or Munich?

Conclusion: A few minutes of preparation are worthwhile for everyone involved.

If you want regular or even occasional help with cleaning your household, good preparation is key to success. It makes the work easier, ensures better results – and makes the collaboration between you and the cleaner more pleasant.

If you're still looking for a reliable, transparently bookable, and insured household helper: At Helferei , you'll find professional service providers from your area. Quick, uncomplicated, and with peace of mind.

So that your home shines as beautifully as you do!

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