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Before hiring a cleaning service for your home, it's wise to ask several questions. Find out what services they offer, whether they work alone or with a company, and if they can provide references. It's also important to ask if they conduct background checks on employees. Inquire about their scheduling, availability, and when they can provide an estimate. Confirm if they have insurance, offer a guarantee, and bring their own cleaning supplies and equipment. You should also clarify if you need to be home during the cleaning, what arrangements are necessary for pets, and if there is a written contract. Finally, ask how they set their rates and if they are available for emergencies and what those charges would be.

Add cleaning your stovetop to your weekly kitchen cleaning checklist. Make sure to wipe down any spills after cooking, and once the stove is cool to the touch and it’s safe to do so. This maintenance will ensure your stovetop and its burners are easy to clean and eliminate caked-on, hard-to-scrub food residue.

Anything that might have been exposed to fumigation chemicals should be washed before use. Wipe down and sanitize surfaces like countertops and tables, and wash all utensils (or take care to store them in an airtight box beforehand), as well as anything else that could find its way into someone’s mouth, like kid or pet toys. 

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.