To tell a cleaner not to come, give clear, timely notice (text/email is fine) with a simple, kind message like, "Thanks for your great service, but I need to cancel future appointments as of [Date]," or be direct if ending service, offering a final payment/bonus and a positive note to keep it professional, giving them at least a week's notice if possible.
Its fine. Say ``i wanted to let you know I'm not going to need your services anymore, effective immediately. I appreciate what you've done for me and wish you the best.'' It can be a text message or phonecall if you're uncomfortable in person. You wont be the first or last person to get a new cleaner after them.
Be Clear and Specific
For example, try something like, "I've noticed that the floors aren't being mopped regularly, and there's often dust on the shelves and baseboards," instead of saying, "The house just doesn't feel clean."
Simply text or email that she's no longer required. This is so easy. I'd just say, from x date your services will no longer be required. Thank you so much, And write your name..
The 3-Minute Rule in cleaning is a technique to overcome procrastination by tackling a specific, small cleaning task for just three minutes, using a timer to create momentum, reduce overwhelm, and build consistent habits, often by quickly clearing surfaces or putting away misplaced items until the timer stops, at which point you can choose to continue or stop. It works by tricking your brain into starting, as action creates motivation, making it easier to maintain a tidy home without massive cleaning sessions.
Here's what your cleaner can do in 2 hours:
Dusting, vacuuming, and wiping down surfaces like coffee tables and shelves. Wiping down counters, cleaning the sink, emptying the bin, and mopping the floors. Cleaning the toilet, sink, and shower, wiping mirrors, and mopping the floor.
The 12-12-12 decluttering method, created by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist, is a simple, manageable system where you find 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to return to their proper place in a room, totaling 36 items, which helps to quickly reduce clutter without overwhelm and build momentum. It's a quick, repeatable process for any area, focusing on immediate results by tackling trash, donations, and misplaced items in small, achievable steps.
Whether you choose to stay or leave your home while the cleaners work is entirely up to you. Your cleaners might have an easier time without anyone home, especially children. But if you're not comfortable having people in your home while you're not there, it's also acceptable to stay while they're cleaning.
The 80/20 rule (or Pareto Principle) in cleaning means focusing your limited time on the 20% of tasks or areas that yield 80% of the visible cleanliness, like kitchens and bathrooms, to get the biggest impact with less effort. It also applies to decluttering by identifying the 20% of items you use 80% of the time, making it easier to remove the excess stuff that creates clutter and adds to cleaning work. The goal is to streamline your routine and home, creating more calm and space by prioritizing high-impact cleaning and getting rid of unused belongings.
It's best to provide at least one week's notice. This gives them time to find other work and adjust their schedule. Pay their last wages promptly: Ensure you pay your cleaner for their work up to their last day. It's the right thing to do and keeps the relationship on good terms.
Cleaning floors (sweeping, mopping, vacuuming) Picking up clutter. Dusting (baseboards, decor, mantels, window sills) Cleaning the kitchen (appliances, countertops, cupboards)
The 20-minute cleaning rule (also known as the 20/10 rule) is a simple, time-boxed method to tackle household chores by cleaning with focused intensity for 20 minutes and then taking a 10-minute break, repeating as needed to prevent burnout and keep messes from piling up. It breaks large tasks into manageable sprints, making cleaning less overwhelming by focusing on progress over perfection through short, frequent sessions rather than marathon cleaning days, often tied to the FlyLady system or similar organizing principles.
The golden rule of housekeeping is simple: clean as you go. It may sound obvious, but this rule can make a big difference in how clean and organized your home is. Cleaning as you go means cleaning up messes and spills as soon as they happen, rather than letting them sit and become harder to clean later.
The "3-30 Rule" for cleaning involves tackling household chores in three dedicated 30-minute blocks spread throughout the day (morning, afternoon, night) to keep your home consistently tidy without overwhelming deep cleaning sessions, focusing on small, manageable tasks like decluttering 30 items, putting 30 things away, and wiping 30 surfaces daily for a calmer, more organized space.
“Hi [cleaner's name], thank you for the [amount of time] you have been working to maintain our house. At this time we will no longer be in need of your services. Here is payment for two weeks of cleaning. I wish you well!”
Most residential cleaning services require 24-hour notice for cancellations but do not charge a fee as long as they are notified during normal business hours within the agreed-upon time frame. Fees differ from company to company.
From our experience across hundreds of London homes, two hours is usually enough to cover a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom flat. A typical clean might include: Kitchen surfaces wiped and sanitised. Bathroom cleaned top to bottom.
If the 5x5 method is as new to you as it was to me, allow me to explain. Coined by Steph of The Secret Slob, this technique requires nothing but a timer and twenty-five free minutes. Pick five rooms or zones and dedicate five minutes per area. In twenty-five minutes, Steph promises a cleaner, less cluttered home.
The golden rule of cleaning is simple: clean from top to bottom. This basic principle ensures that dirt and dust don't settle on already cleaned areas. Understanding this rule can transform your cleaning routine. It saves time and effort, making the process more efficient.
A 3-hour clean typically costs around $100 to $200+, depending heavily on location, property size (e.g., 2-3 bedrooms), cleaner experience, and service type (regular vs. deep clean). Expect hourly rates from $30 to $60+ (USD/AUD), with independent cleaners often cheaper than companies, and deep/end-of-lease cleans costing more than standard maintenance.
The 10 Best Things to Do Before Your House Cleaner Arrives
The 50% rule for clutter is a decluttering method that challenges you to remove half the items from any given space (closets, drawers, rooms) to create instant space, reduce overwhelm, and achieve a more organized, functional environment by keeping only what truly adds value. It's a powerful technique for making significant progress quickly, forcing intentional decisions about what to keep versus what to let go of, making finding and using items easier.
The Core 4 Method was created by professional organiser Kayleen Kelly. It's designed to keep things simple and strip decluttering right back to the basics. The four steps — Clear Out, Categorise, Cut Out and Contain — give you a structured plan that says exactly what it does on the tin.
What is the rule of three for cleaning closets? This is one of the quickest ways to determine if an item is worth keeping. Evaluate each article of clothing and see if you can come up with three different occasions to wear it, or three distinct outfits to create with it.