How to Prepare Your Home for Cleaners When You Have Pets in Maplewood, MO

Quick answer

Before your cleaners arrive, secure your pets in a comfortable space outside the scheduled cleaning areas, share pet and entry instructions, and pick up toys and other items from floors.

Let the cleaning company know which rooms matter most and which doors must stay closed.

Clear instructions help the team access your home and complete the agreed cleaning while your pets remain safely separated from the work.

A little preparation makes cleaning day easier

Pets are part of the family, but cleaning day can interrupt their usual routine. A vacuum starts running, unfamiliar people enter the house, and doors open as supplies come inside. Even a friendly dog or a quiet cat may react differently when the home gets busy.

Preparing your home does not mean cleaning it before the professionals arrive. It means making a few practical arrangements so the team can reach the surfaces they need to clean and understand where your pets will be.

For families in Maplewood, MO, the most useful preparation comes down to three things: clear pet instructions, reliable access, and realistic priorities.

Here is how to put those details in place before your next appointment.

Tell the cleaning company about your pets before the visit

Share pet information when you book or confirm your appointment. The team should know that animals will be in the home before opening the door.

Useful details include:

• How many pets you have.
• Where they will be secured during the appointment.
• Which room or area must remain off limits.
• Whether a pet tends to run toward an open door.
• Whether barking or vacuum noise may affect your arrangements.
• Any product concerns you want to discuss before cleaning begins.

Keep instructions specific. “We have a cat” provides less direction than “Our cat will be in the upstairs bedroom. Please keep that door closed and skip that room.”

You do not need to describe every part of your pet’s routine. Focus on the information that affects entry, movement through the house, and the agreed cleaning areas.

Put important instructions in writing

A short written note helps keep everyone working from the same information. Send instructions through the company’s agreed communication channel before the appointment.

If something changes—for example, your dog will be home instead of staying with a family member—update the coordinator before the team arrives.

A note on a closed door can reinforce the instructions, but it should support the information you have already shared.

Choose a comfortable, secure place for your pets

Decide where your pets will stay before cleaning begins. A closed room outside the scheduled cleaning areas may work well. An appropriate crate or arrangements with a trusted person may also suit your household.

Choose a setup your pet is already comfortable with, and make sure it will remain secure while the team enters and works.

If you use a separate room:

• Tell the company which room it is.
• Keep the door closed.
• Make it clear that the room should not be entered or cleaned.
• Provide your pet’s usual essentials.
• Keep access to the room clear for yourself.

A pet gate may not provide enough separation for an animal that can jump over it or push through it. Plan around your own pet’s behavior.

Friendly pets still need a plan

A dog that loves visitors may follow cleaners from room to room. A cat that usually hides may move toward the entrance when the door opens.

Separating pets from the work helps reduce those interruptions. It also allows the team to focus on cleaning without having to manage an animal’s movements.

Make pet arrangements yourself before the appointment. Do not assume the cleaners will relocate, supervise, or let your pets outside.

Make entry instructions clear

Access matters just as much as pet preparation. If you will be away, confirm how the team will enter and what they need to know when they arrive.

Provide relevant details about:

• The correct entrance.
• Any agreed key, lockbox, or entry-code arrangement.
• Alarm instructions, if applicable.
• Parking or gate access.
• Doors that must remain closed.
• How to reach you if an access question comes up. Share entry codes privately through the agreed channel.

Before leaving, check that the entrance and route into the home are accessible. Shoes, packages, pet beds, and other items should not block the doorway.

Mention pets that may approach the entrance

If your dog rushes toward the door or your cat waits near the entry, tell the company and secure the pet before arrival.

A written warning is useful, but a secure arrangement is what allows the door to be opened safely.

Pick up pet items from the cleaning areas

You do not need to remove every sign that pets live in your home. Focus on items that block floors, surfaces, and walkways.

Before the visit, gather loose toys, leashes, treat bags, and other small belongings. Move lightweight pet items where appropriate so the team can reach the agreed areas.

For example, a collection of toys beside the sofa can make that section of flooring harder to access. Placing them in a basket gives the team a clearer work area.

Keep essential items available to your pets in their secured space. If a feeding station or bed needs to remain in place, mention it in advance.

Handle litter boxes and pet accidents beforehand

Empty or maintain litter boxes yourself, and address pet waste before the appointment. Tell the company about any unresolved accident or affected area.

Routine house cleaning should not be treated as pet-waste removal or biohazard cleanup. Discuss unusual conditions before the visit so the company can explain whether the area falls within its service scope.

Identify your priority rooms before cleaning day

Think about which spaces need the most attention within your booked service. In a household with pets, priorities might include:

• The main living area where the family gathers.
• Accessible floors in frequently used rooms.
• The entryway where outdoor dirt is tracked inside.
• The kitchen and bathrooms.
• A hallway your pets use throughout the day.

Share these priorities before the appointment. That gives the company time to confirm what is included and whether any additional work needs to be arranged.

Priorities guide the visit, but they do not automatically expand the service. If you want tasks beyond the agreed cleaning, ask about them in advance.

Explain where pet hair tends to collect

Specific descriptions are helpful. “The living room floor beside the sofa collects the most hair” gives the team a clearer picture than “There is pet hair everywhere.”

Let the company know about heavy buildup when booking. Accessible floor cleaning and specialized upholstery cleaning are different tasks, so confirm the scope rather than assuming every surface is included.

Discuss product concerns before the appointment

If you have concerns about products used around your pets, raise them before cleaning day.

Ask the company what will be used on the relevant surfaces and whether your request can be accommodated. If you want a particular product considered, share that request in advance.

Avoid assuming that labels such as “natural” or “eco-friendly” mean a product is suitable for every animal or surface.

Keep pets away from active cleaning areas, supplies, and wet floors. Follow any product-related instructions provided before allowing them back into the cleaned space.

Decide whether you will stay home

You can plan to be home during the appointment or arrange access while you are away, subject to the company’s entry arrangements.

If you stay home, choose a place where you and your pets can remain comfortably outside the work areas. Avoid moving animals between rooms while cleaning is underway unless that arrangement has been discussed.

If you leave, check the pet setup, entry instructions, and contact information before you go. The goal is to make the visit predictable. The team should know how to enter, where to work, and which areas to leave closed.

A simple example of cleaning-day instructions

Your note can be brief: “Our dog will be secured in the downstairs office. Please keep that door closed and skip the office. Use the agreed front-door entry arrangement. The kitchen, bathrooms, and main living area are our priorities within the booked service. Please call me if you have an access question.”

Adjust the details to match your home and appointment. A short, accurate message is easier to follow than several separate instructions sent at different times.

Your pre-appointment checklist

Before your cleaners arrive:

• Confirm that the company knows pets will be home.
• Secure pets outside the scheduled cleaning areas.
• Identify any room that must remain closed.
• Pick up loose toys and clear walkways.
• Handle litter boxes and pet waste.
• Confirm entry and alarm instructions.
• Share priority rooms and any additional service requests.
• Make sure the team can reach you if needed.

You do not need a spotless home before your appointment. You need accessible work areas and a clear plan.

Key takeaways

Preparing a pet household for cleaning starts with communication. Tell the company where your pets will be, secure them before arrival, and provide reliable entry instructions.

Clear floors and surfaces help the team reach the agreed cleaning areas. Sharing priorities ahead of time also helps set expectations for the visit.

A few thoughtful arrangements can make cleaning day easier for your household, your pets, and the cleaning team.

Frequently asked questions

Should I secure my dog even if it is friendly?

Yes. A friendly dog may still follow the team, react to equipment, or approach an open door. Arrange a comfortable, secure space outside the cleaning areas before the appointment.

Can my cat stay in a closed bedroom?

A closed bedroom may be a practical option if it is outside the scheduled cleaning areas and provides a suitable space for your cat. Tell the company which room to skip and make clear that the door must remain closed.

Do I need to clean before the cleaners arrive?

You do not need to complete the cleaning yourself. Focus on picking up loose belongings, clearing access, handling pet waste, and securing your pets.

Will the cleaners remove pet hair from furniture?

Confirm this before booking. Upholstery cleaning or specialized pet-hair removal may differ from the tasks included in your house-cleaning service.

Can I leave home during the appointment?

Discuss access arrangements with the company first. If you will be away, secure your pets beforehand, provide clear entry instructions, and remain reachable for questions.

What if I want the room where my pet is staying cleaned too?

Discuss that before the appointment. You may need a different pet arrangement so the room can be accessed. Do not assume the team will move your pet or change the cleaning plan during the visit.

What should I do if my pet has an accident before arrival?

Address the waste yourself and notify the company about any remaining affected area. Pet-waste removal and biohazard cleanup are outside routine house-cleaning expectations.

Schedule your cleaning in Maplewood, MO

A busy household with pets can benefit from consistent cleaning support. Clear instructions and a little preparation help make each appointment easier to manage.

Request a free quote from Olivia’s Cleaning Services. Tell us about your home, your pets, and the rooms you want included so we can discuss the right service for your needs. Call: 314-470-2414 Visit: oliviascleaningstlouis.comEmail: [email protected] Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM

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About Olivia’s Cleaning Services

Founded in 2007, Olivia’s Cleaning Services provides residential and commercial cleaning throughout the Greater St. Louis area, including Maplewood, MO. Our insured and bonded teams focus on detailed, thoughtful cleaning and consistency you can count on.