What Do You Move, Ken?

I've conducted hundreds of house cleaning estimates over the years. Inevitably, this question is asked every time the homeowner and I encounter a china cabinet stuffed with decor, bookshelves booked solid, or a playroom with no place to play. I say this with humor as most homes are well kept and the homeowners just want to know what I'll move and what I'll clean around. However, there are some homes where there is more stuff on the floor than the floor itself

Every cleaning service has an expectation of their house cleaning clients and I am no different. I recommend that you get into the routine or habit of picking up your house. Please empty the sinks of dishes, pick up clutter and toys, and clear your bathroom and kitchen countertops so I can spend my cleaning time... cleaning. Otherwise, I will have to charge additionally to allot for "pick-up" time. This may sound like you're cleaning for the cleaner. I suggest that you reframe the way that you're thinking. I have seen first-hand proof that women get more stressed and anxious when things pile up in their homes. These women hire me to clean and get into the habit of picking up before each visit. This routine eliminates dirt and clutter in their homes, giving them incredible peace of mind. Does this make sense? Make sure you pick up and clear the clutter before I show up.

Now that we covered what you need to move, it's my turn! 

Bathrooms: I remove toothbrushes and other hygienic objects from the bathroom counters to a safe location away from my cleaning supplies, so I can clean all bathroom countertops completely. I empty bathroom trash and move floor objects outside the bathroom so I can entirely clean the floor.

Kitchen: Please keep the kitchen counters clear, except for the basics like coffee makers, jars, small appliances, dish baskets, etc. I will slide these items forward to clean behind them. Plus, I clean and disinfect your coffee maker, coffee & refrigerator water-dispenser trays, and inside of microwaves. I do not clean the inside of your dishwasher, cabinets, oven, or refrigerator unless we do a substitution or charge additionally. If your bathroom or kitchen counters are too cluttered, I will clean around the clutter. You may say. "Ken, define too cluttered?" Communication is vital. I will let you know that it's too much and that I'm cleaning around items. This allows you to make the decision to de-clutter so I can clean more thoroughly.

Other Rooms: I do not clean inside glass or other cabinets, unless requested. I apply a simple rule-of-thumb to bookshelves, cabinets, and dressers while dusting. If there are a few items, I'll move and clean the entire surface. If there are more than a few, I will dust around. At any point, I encourage homeowners to clear a shelf or a floor for an upcoming visit. While cleaning, I'll notice the obvious call to "please clean this, Ken!" 

Floors: I pick up a few items while vacuuming like mid-sized toys or plants that cannot be placed on shelves. I do my best to vacuum an entire room, including the tops of sofas and under furniture. However, if a room has more than a few items on the floor, I vacuum around them. Again, communication is vital. I will let you know or show you what I'll move to vacuum under and what I will not. Then, it's your decision to move it prior to my cleaning visit.
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