Preparing a shared home for cleaning day
Agree on access and belongings before focusing on the cleaning itself.
Make shared decisions first
In a Capitol Hill apartment or shared house, ask each person to clear their own belongings from common surfaces. Decide which rooms are included and which should remain private. Do not leave someone else to guess whether papers, containers or personal items can be moved.
Write one set of instructions
Combine entry details, pet arrangements and surface-care notes into a short plan. If people have different priorities, identify the shared ones first. A single set of instructions is easier to follow than several conflicting messages about the same room.
Keep the scope realistic
An occupied home and an empty move-out property need different preparation. Explain the current condition when booking, and check any optional extras. Sorting cupboards, deciding what to discard or moving a room full of belongings should be treated as separate planning tasks, not assumed parts of surface cleaning.