AIBU or do you clean before cleaner arrives?

[Dinosauraddict]

Context: I'm poorly, pregnant, in/out of hospital, in the middle of a house renovation, usually work FT (as does DH) and have 3Ddogs. This has meant that my usually 'slightly messy but clean' house feels not clean or tidy. So, I've bitten the bullet and taken the standard MN advice of 'get a cleaner'. She is our neighbour's cleaner and is coming this afternoon for the first time. I've dragged myself off the sofa and started trying to make the house presentable. 2 rooms are currently being painted/renovated so I'm planning on telling her just to ignore those on this visit, but how tidy/clean does it need to be before she arrives??

Yes I always tidy before cleaner comes. DH doesn’t get it but to me it makes perfect sense so she can actually clean.

Perhaps if build up a better relationship with her she can start tidying up things too - but we’re not there yet.

My cleaner comes for 2 hours in that time she

Dusts
Cleans the floors
Hoover's the bedroom
Cleans the bathroom
Changes the bed
Puts all the bins out
Empties the dish washer

I tidy up but that's all. Shes amazing. She usually finishes within her 2 hours which I dont mind but she keeps note of how early she finishes every visit. Once she's added up an hour she pays it back by cleaning the oven or the windows or clearing out a cupboard. Its mad. I've told her it's not necessary but she insists. I wouldnt be without her now

I always make sure everything is tidy and put away, so all the time is actually spent cleaning (and ironing).

@redglitter your cleaner sounds amazing!

I tidy before my cleaner arrives so she can see the floor!

Bleach the loo too!

We tidy so she can clean. She does 2 hours each Friday. In that time she does the kitchen, bathrooms, all floors (hoovered and mopped), dusts/polish all rooms. If she has time she does extra jobs like cleaning the windows, or the fridge, or paintwork.