The best thing with which to clean a hot tub is whatever the manufacturer recommends; in most cases, this is a gentle surface cleaner and a soft cloth. Recommended hot tub cleaners can include specially formulated cleaning agents, mild dish soap, baking soda, vinegar, or diluted bleach. For your hot tub exterior, choose wood or vinyl cleaner (depending on the casing material).

You should never use household cleaning products, harsh chemicals such as undiluted bleach or acids, or abrasive cleansers or cloths, as these can scratch or etch your hot tub’s coating or shell and cause permanent damage.

You should consider doing a few things on your own that fall under the category of “good house cleaner etiquette” to prepare for your house cleaner. These include tidying counters, floors, and other surfaces, taking care of the dishes, moving laundry to the laundry room or a dedicated laundry basket, and putting away personal and private items. Think of your house cleaner as someone who brings your home from relatively tidy to organized and clean, and you should have no issues.

Whether your carpet cleaner is self-employed or not doesn’t need to play a major factor in tipping. Some larger cleaning companies prefer you don’t tip their employees, but if the cleaner is self-employed that isn’t a concern. Tipping isn’t required for this service, so feel free to use it as an appreciation for their service and hard work.

The best way to help a family member or friend declutter their home is to hire a professional organizer or cleaner to do it for them. However, you can also help them make a plan to tackle the clutter. Sit down with them and sort through the items, making piles of what to keep, toss, and donate. Focus on one area at a time to avoid overwhelming them. If they have trouble letting go of some items, ask them when they last used each item, what its purpose is, and whether it has sentimental value. The answers to these questions can help you advise them on handling clutter.