One of the most common things we hear is, "Sorry, I meant to tidy up before you got here." You don't need to. Cleaning is our job. That said, a little prep does make a difference in how much of the visit goes to real cleaning.
The most helpful thing is picking up clutter from floors and counters: toys, mail, clothes, dishes. We can clean around it, but every minute spent moving things is a minute not spent scrubbing a shower or wiping baseboards.
If you want the beds changed, leave fresh sheets out on the bed or in an obvious spot. If you've booked laundry as an add-on, let us know which loads need special care and which pieces you'd like ironed.
Tell us about anything fragile, valuable, or off-limits. A room you'd like us to skip, a delicate surface that needs a specific cleaner, a pet that shouldn't get out. We'd rather hear it upfront than guess.
What you can skip: pre-wiping counters, scrubbing the toilet, or vacuuming. Leave the dirty work to us. That's exactly what you're paying for.