If you’re hiring someone to clean an empty and tidy house before you move in, there’s little prep work to do. Make sure to discuss your goals with the cleaning service, arrange entry to the house, and communicate any problem areas or special requests. If you’ve already moved into the house, or if it’s messy, it’s best to complete the following tasks before the cleaners arrive:

• Declutter things like clothes, toys, or cardboard boxes

• Do the dishes

• Put fragile items in a safe spot where they can’t be accidentally broken

• Keep pets away from cleaning areas

You can clean the glass on the oven door while the door remains attached to the appliance, but it’s a more awkward process than cleaning the glass after removing the door. If you choose to clean the door while leaving it attached, be careful not to lean on it with your body weight, or you could damage the hinges.

Most people perform the bulk of their household cleaning tasks once a week. Since a whole-home, top-to-bottom weekly cleaning can take up a significant chunk of time, break weekly tasks up by day so you don’t have to lose your whole weekend to cleaning and maintaining your house. Many people also find the cost of a house cleaner to be worth it to help keep their home clean if it’s hard to find the time themselves.

You can clean your bathroom like a professional by keeping your cleaning tools and products organized and having a cleaning plan or routine. Most cleaning pros start by dusting and sweeping first and applying cleaning solutions. You should let the solutions sit in your bathtub, shower, sink, and toilet, and wipe everything down with fresh cleaning cloths. A final mop gives the finishing touch.