To ask: if you are a cleaner, what are the things in the house that would make you judge someone?

I don't clean before our amazing cleaner arrives but I think its respectful to leave things tidy. I'd not leave an unmade bed although she strips it anyway. I wipe around the loos. I'd not leave last night pots but I do leave the breakfast mugs etc if the dishwasher is full and needs putting away. I don't wipe over the cooker but I wouldn't leave toast crumbs around.

I tidy, and make sure the toilets aren't gross (boys). I also empty the bins.

I keep all the normal appliances and fripperies on the kitchen surface. Sometimes she cleans around them, sometimes she moves them and cleans under.

I tidy the bathroom so there aren't 200 bottles of shampoo and shower gel everywhere.

I'll take the judgement, I want the cleaner.

I think a lot of people conflate "tidy" and "clean".

Tidy= items like toys, clothes, shoes are put away and not cluttering the place up. Minimum dirty washing up around, ideally none.

Clean= what the cleaner should do. Sweep, hoover, mop, dust, get toothpaste off the sink, wipe skirting boards

I tidy up before the cleaners come so they can clean. If my house looks very tidy but crumby and grubby, that's cleaner ready.

I used to clean in my 20s. Honestly, I am not going to judge people who live the way that feels comfortable for them. Even houses of hoarders are absolutely fine and are actually very enjoyable and satisfying to clean. There is literally nothing worse than someone scrubbing their toilet and sink before a cleaner gets there. It makes the job feel completely useless.
As someone who hires a cleaner to come once every couple of weeks, I don't clean or tidy anything. She doesn't seem to judge us but if we did, we wouldn't know so we don't think about it. If I had time and inclination to pre-clean for the cleaner, I wouldn't need a cleaner, would I?

Clean toilet, beds made, kids shit put away. (Like the 5000 felt tips, 200 Lego pieces and 7 million look bands)

Respectfully, OP, are you usually this unduly concerned with other people's opinions? Or are you for some reason not at ease with employing a cleaner, therefore you feel fundamentally as though you need to apologise for your house not being pristine, even though the reason you are employing him/her is to clean your house?

Surfaces don't have to be clear (this seems to be a Mn myth), and there's no hard and fast rule about folding clothes. Our cleaners (and we've had long and mutually respectful and pleasant relationships with every cleaner we've ever had in over 20 years) are not ever facing into a tidied or pre-cleaned house, or a house with clear surfaces. Sometimes it's chaotic, other times, comparatively clean. They get through what they can in the time available. I make it clear when I'm hiring someone what they will be walking into.

I don't know anyone who cleans before their cleaner comes.

I'm assuming it's not a Mn only phenomenon, but I think it's quite odd. I have a cleaner to save myself work. Why would I make myself needless work? It would be like pre-cleaning my windows before the window-cleaner comes.

I clean before the cleaner too. Mostly make sure loos are clean, surfaces clear, beds made and kitchen floor somewhat clean though there will always be a few crumbs.

As long as it’s tidy so we can do a deep clean without moving clutter, no skids in the loos or overflowing bins then it’s expected for the house to be ‘dirty’ as there wouldn’t be any need for a cleaner otherwise.
I used to clean for a lady who would leave her sex toys out on show which was gross and made me judge her. I’ve never judged anyone on their home or cleanliness though.
When I’ve cleaned for houses who pre-clean I find it harder to work out their main areas needing most attention, at least when there’s a bit of dirt etc I can see where to prioritise so it’s best to leave it and let the cleaner work out her routine from there.

Cleaner here...
Step away from the mess...
Seriously I love transforming your home!!. Spend your time drinking coffee and doing me a list!!

I'm interested in this too. I always have the place tidy, so everything put in its place. But I'll also make sure toilets are clean and wipe around my sinks too because I don't want the cleaners to judge me!