Before You Start Cleaning Pointers To Make Your Job Easier

Before You Start Cleaning At The Job Site:

Turn off lights in light fixtures you plan on cleaning so they have time to cool off

Look for a list of cleaning priorities left for you by the homeowner. Follow the list if one was left for you.

Kitchen:

Countertops - Concentrate on remembering where objects are located, move all objects off of, wash counter, clean, shine and replace objects in their proper position

Stove - Drip pans - remove, soak (if necessary), clean, re-foil (if appropriate), replace Top / front / sides (if reachable) / fan / control panel - clean and shine

Clean interior if requested by client. Normally, you will not run self - cleaning ovens through their cycle as you may not be able to finish the job when the cycle is complete because the cleaning cycle takes more time than you have at the job site.

Refrigerator - top / sides / front - including the usually removeable grill (toe plate) and, if requested, the interior.

Microwave - inside / outside / top

Dishwasher - inside and outside, remove (if you can) and clean the filter

Garbage Compactor - clean outside. Empty it and clean inside if requested by customer.

Small Appliances - clean and shine, dump toaster out

Cutting Board(s) - pull out and clean.

Cabinet Fronts and Edges - clean, shine hardware. If made of wood, customer may request a coat of "Liquid Gold" or something similar be applied.

Sink and Faucets - scrub and shine, include stoppers and top of drain

Use 'Comet' for porcelain or 'Barkeeper's Friend' for stainless steel, shine with 'Windex'

Window - glass, sills / tracks - clean glass and frame, shine hardware

Baseboards - clean. If made of wood, customer may request a coat of "Liquid Gold" or something similar be applied.

Light Fixtures - disassemble, if appropriate, clean, shine

Floor - remove everything on surface, sweep and mop

Bathroom:

Light Fixtures - disassemble (if appropriate), clean and shine

Shower / Tub Area - scrub clean, thoroughly rinse, shine hardware

Shower Doors - scrub clean, shine hardware, frames

Sinks - scrub clean, shine hardware

Soap Dish - clean and shine

Mirror - clean glass, shine hardware

Pictures - clean glass and dust frames

Countertops / Shelves - concentrate on remembering where objects are located, remove everything off of, clean and shine, clean and replace objects
Cabinet Fronts and Edges - clean, shine hardware. If made of wood, customer may request a coat of "Liquid Gold" or something similar be applied.

Toilets - clean inside and entire outside, around base

Floor - remove everything off of surface, sweep and scrub

Towels - rehang nicely or replace, if obviously soiled

Dusting:

Furniture - remove surface objects, dust surface and objects, replace objects

Window Shades (blinds), Table Legs, Chair Legs, Pictures on Walls - remember to dust these Door Frames, Window Ledges, Baseboards - remember to dust these

Television - top / sides / back, use 'Windex' on screen

Cob Webs - remove them where ever they are

Floors:

Entry Ways - sweep and mop if uncarpeted, vacuum if carpeted

Other Uncarpeted Areas - sweep and mop

Carpeted Areas - move all easily-moved furniture, clean cushions with vacuum attachment (if available) or brush, vacuum surfaces including stairs. Careful not to bump into furniture with vacuum.

Throw Rugs - notice their position, take rugs outside and shake if not too heavy (clean with vacuum if too heavy to shake outside) replace in their proper place (normally, just where you found them)

NOTE:

Many customers will expect their floors to be scrubbed on hands and knees rather than just mopped. The type of floor surface will sometimes dictate whether or not a floor can just be mopped versus scrubbed with a brush on hands and knees.

Miscellaneous Jobs:

Sliding Doors - clean glass inside and out, clean frame and tracks

Laundry / Ironing / Window Glass (easily reached) - if requested by customer and pre-approved by management

Porches - Front / Back - sweep, shake out door mat, if there is time or requested by customer

As You Leave:

Leave a note about cleaning supplies the customer needs to purchase (if we are not providing supplies)

Leave a note about anything you damaged and call the office about it ASAP

If one or more jobs could not be accomplished in the allotted time which you feel the client expected to be completed leave a brief note about why the job was not finished.

Arm the alarm system if asked to do so.

Lock all doors, close and lock all windows you may have opened unless told otherwise by the client.