Do I Need to Be Home When the Cleaners Come?
Introduction
It's one of the first questions people ask when they're considering a regular cleaning service — do I actually need to be home?
The short answer is no. Most people with a regular cleaner aren't home during the visit, and it works seamlessly. But there are a few things worth sorting out before you hand over access to your home — for your peace of mind and to make sure the clean goes smoothly.
Here's a practical checklist to work through before your first unattended clean.
✅ Provide clear entry instructions
Don't assume your cleaner will figure it out on the day. Before your first visit, make sure you've clearly communicated:
How to access the property — front door key, garage code, building intercom, or key safe
Any tricky locks, gates, or doors they need to know about
Where to park if that's relevant
Any alarm codes and how to set it on the way out
The more detail you provide upfront, the smoother every visit will be.
✅ Make sure access codes are shared securely
This is an important one. Avoid sending alarm codes, key safe combinations, or access details via text message or on a piece of paper left under the mat.
A professional cleaning service should have a secure system for storing and managing client access information — whether that's a dedicated staff management platform, an encrypted client file, or another secure method. Ask your cleaner how they store this information before you hand it over.
At Simply Shiny, we use Connect Team to manage all client site notes and access details securely, so your information is never floating around in a text thread.
✅ Check they are police cleared
Before allowing anyone unsupervised access to your home, confirm that your cleaner holds a current police check. This is a basic and reasonable expectation of any professional cleaning service — don't be shy about asking for confirmation.
✅ Confirm they are fully insured
Accidents are rare, but they do happen. Make sure your cleaning service carries current public liability insurance so that if anything is damaged or goes wrong during a visit, you're covered. Again, a professional service should be able to confirm this without hesitation.
✅ Sort out your pets
If you have pets at home, let your cleaner know before the first visit. A good cleaner will take care to keep doors and gates closed so pets can't wander out, and will work around your animal's routine and space. If your pet has specific needs — like being kept in a certain room or a gate that needs to stay latched — make sure that's noted clearly so nothing is left to chance.
✅ Do a quick walk-through on the first visit
Even if you plan to be out for most cleans, it's worth being home for the very first one. A quick walk-through lets you show your cleaner exactly what you need, point out anything delicate or off-limits, and get comfortable with them before handing over unsupervised access.
What if I prefer to be home?
Plenty of people prefer to be home — whether that's for the first few visits while they're getting comfortable, or every visit. That's completely fine too. A good cleaning service will work around you professionally and get on with the job without getting in your way.
The bottom line
You absolutely don't need to be home when your cleaner visits — but a little preparation goes a long way. Clear entry instructions, secure communication of access details, and confirmed police checks and insurance are the non-negotiables. Get those sorted and you can go about your day knowing your home is in good hands.
At Simply Shiny, we're happy to walk new clients through our access and security process before the first clean — so you feel completely confident from day one.
👉 Request your free quote here
Ready to come home to a clean house?