"My in-laws were arriving for their first visit in just a few hours, and my apartment was a disaster zone. The cleaners arrived right on time and immediately got to work, leaving everything sparkling."
Cleaning Checklist
What a Standard Cleaning Includes
What a Deep Cleaning Includes
Preparing for Your Cleaning
How It Works
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Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Rental Cleaning Checklist
Preparing for Your Cleaning
Rescheduling Policy
Moving day, minus the scrubbing Deposit-ready, done for you.
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Manhattan · Brooklyn · Queens
preparing for your cleaning: Easy Steps for a Perfect Visit
Prepping for a visit from your professional house cleaning service does not have to be a chore. A few simple steps ensures our crew can access your apartment easily, work safely, and focus their energy on scrubbing rather than sorting. From key handoffs to pet safety, here is everything you need to know to get the most out of your standard basic cleaning or detailed deep cleaning.
Doorman & key procedures
Supplies provided by us
Pet-friendly crew
100% satisfaction guarantee
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A real Lily Maids story
Isabella Rossi was ready. Her home was too.
When Isabella Rossi in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, scheduled her first deep cleaning, she wanted to make sure everything went smoothly. Her mother-in-law was visiting in just a few hours, and her apartment was in complete disarray. She spent ten minutes decluttering toys, clearing the countertops, and leaving a note about building elevator rules. When our professional team arrived, they did not have to sort through paperwork or move heavy obstacles. They went straight to scrubbing the kitchen tiles, sanitizing the bathroom, and dusting baseboards. By the time her guests arrived, the home smelled amazing and looked absolutely pristine.
That is the difference that preparing for your cleaning makes. When you take a few minutes to handle basic logistics, it allows our house cleaning service crew to dedicate 100% of their energy to detailing your surfaces. Whether you are scheduled for a routine housekeeping service or a one time cleaning, our goal is to provide a seamless experience from the moment we knock on your door.
Preparation tips
Getting ready for our crew.
Follow these simple guidelines before your residential cleaning. Taking ten minutes to prepare ensures your cleaners can maximize their time.
Apartment prep Clutter cleared & secure
Step 1: Declutter
Apartment Cleaning & Maid Service Prep.
The most important step in preparing for your cleaning is to clear clutter from key surfaces. Our house cleaning service professionals are trained to scrub and sanitize, but they cannot sort through personal paperwork, mail, clothing, or toys. By picking up these items beforehand, you help the team focus on their core tasks. For regular maid service New York City visits, clearing the countertops and the kitchen sink is highly recommended so we can wash the dishes and polish the fixtures efficiently.
Please make sure the the dining tables, nightstands, and living room floors are clear of loose clutter. This allows our vacuum cleaners to navigate the space safely without damaging personal belongings. If you have specific instructions about items you do not want touched, definately leave a note or update your booking online.
Deep clean prep Clear cabinets & shelves
Step 2: Access & Detail Prep
Deep Cleaning & One-Time Prep.
Preparing for your cleaning is slightly different when you book a deep cleaning service New York City package. Since a deep clean reaches inside cabinets, the oven, and the refrigerator, those spaces must be empty. If you want us to wipe down cabinet interiors, please remove all plates, pantry items, and glassware beforehand.
For one time cleaning resets, please secure any fragile collectibles or valuable electronics. While our vetted team takes great care, city apartments often have tight hallways and crowded shelves. Seperating delicate items and storing them in drawers ensures a worry-free visit. Check our guide on what a deep cleaning includes to see the full scope of our detail work.
Step 3: Empty Homes
Move In / Out Cleaning Prep.
For a successful move-in or move-out cleaning, the property must be completely empty of furniture, trash, and personal items. Having boxes or remaining items in the apartment restricts the crew's ability to scrub baseboards, reach behind radiators, and clean inside closets.
Make sure you coordinate building elevator access and keys with your doorman or property manager. Since moving day has tight timelines, setting up clear access instructions in your booking prevents delays. Take a look at our move-out cleaning checklist to make sure your space is ready to meet strict landlord standards.
Recurring plan prep Scheduled key handoff
Step 4: Scheduling & Routine
Recurring Cleaning & Key Handoff.
Clients on our recurring cleaning plans enjoy a seamless routine because we establish clear entry procedures early on. You do not need to be home for your visits. Most clients provide a copy of their keys to their doorman, store them in a secure lockbox, or share a smart-lock code.
To help the team work efficiently, please let us know if you have any pets. While our cleaners love animals, securing pets in a separate room or crate during the visit prevents anxiety and keeps them safe from cleaning equipment. If you need to make changes to your schedule, please review our rescheduling policy so we can update your dates smoothly.
Client reviews · Part 2 of 3
Every borough, same excellence.
Read reviews from our clients across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens who love our stress-free preparation process and reliable results.
★★★★★
"I was completely overwhelmed moving into my new UES walk-up, but the team made the entire process stress-free. They did an incredible move-in cleaning that got every speck of dust from the previous tenants out."
★★★★★
"Hosting 12 family members for Thanksgiving is stressful enough without worrying about the house. I booked them last minute, and they came in like a squad, tackling the oven and guest bath perfectly."
★★★★★
"My mother is 82 and can no longer manage the upkeep of her home. I arranged for them to visit her, and they were so respectful; they scrubbed her bathroom and organized her kitchen beautifully."
★★★★★
"With my due date just around the corner, my nesting instinct kicked in, but I was exhausted. This service was a lifesaver; they performed a detailed deep clean and prepped our new nursery."
★★★★★
"My daughter’s birthday party was in two days, and our living room was covered in dust from a new bookshelf. The post-renovation cleanup turned our chaotic home into a beautiful party space."
★★★★★
"After my surgery, I was completely out of commission. I called these professionals, and they were a godsend; they took care of everything, allowing me to recover in a clean, peaceful space."
★★★★★
"My new partner was moving in, and I wanted the place to feel fresh. The crew did a fantastic job scrubbing the kitchen and washing windows until they were crystal clear. Great service!"
★★★★★
"We had a post-wedding brunch at our apartment, but our place was a wreck from pre-wedding chaos. They did such a great job with the prep, it felt like a move-in cleaning miracle."
★★★★★
"A pipe burst in our ceiling while we were away. The team post-renovation handled the dust effortlessly. They did a spectacular deep cleaning, making our home look better than before."
Pre-visit checklist
Your simple prep checklist.
Take a few minutes before the cleaners arrive to check these items. We bring all professional tools, including EPA Safer Choice certified products on request.
1. Clutter & Surfaces
- Clear counters and backsplashes
- Pick up loose toys and clothes
- Empty kitchen sinks of dishes
- Secure papers and mail
- Put away valuable cosmetics
2. Access & Entry
- Leave keys with doorman / concierge
- Share digital door lock codes
- Provide elevator reservation times
- Add access notes to online booking
- Note walk-up staircase details
3. Pets & Preferences
- Secure pets in a safe room
- Leave out clean bed linens
- Write down surface-specific requests
- Indicate trash and recycling rules
- Note areas that do not require cleaning
Current promotions
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Active promotions for your next apartment cleaning or maid service. Copy your coupon code and apply it during checkout.
New client special
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Your first Lily Maids visit, 10% lighter on the wallet.
- Valid on any cleaning service
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- Flat, upfront pricing - no surprises
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Flexible arrival
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Give us a wider arrival window and save on every single visit.
- Identical cleaning, better price
- Text updates before we arrive
- Savings applied automatically
Only the arrival window changes - never the clean.
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Choose a flexible arrival window at booking.
Move in / move out
Save
$30 Off
Moving day is hard enough. We'll take the scrubbing off your list.
- Inside oven, fridge & cabinets
- Built to satisfy strict landlords
- Helps protect your deposit
Hand back the keys with a deposit-ready deep clean.
Book & Save $30
Valid on move-in and move-out cleanings only.
Photo Gallery
Resets across the boroughs.
Take a look at how preparing for your cleaning results in perfectly detailed rooms. We clean pre-war apartments, new construction, and single-family homes.
NYC Logistics
NYC Apartment Access & Doorman Rules.
NYC properties present unique building management challenges. Our experienced residential cleaning team is familiar with doorman protocols, key handoffs, and elevator policies. We accommodate strict doorman requirements across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, ensuring our crew checks in correctly and follows all resident guidelines.
If you live in a walk-up, please let us know during booking so we can prepare our teams. Whether you need a standard housekeeping service or a specialized AirBnB cleaning service, preparing for your cleaning means verifying that buzzer systems and lockboxes are fully functional before we arrive.
$150
Standard visits start at
No
Hidden fees or building surcharges
5%
Discount for flexible arrival windows
60s
To get an instant online quote
FAQ
Common prep questions.
Read our answers to common questions about key handoffs, cleaning supplies, and preparing for your cleaning.
Do I need to clean before the cleaners arrive? 01
No, you do not need to clean! However, we recommend clearing loose clutter like paperwork, toys, and clothing from counters and floors. This ensures our cleaners can dedicate their time to deep scrubbing and sanitizing rather than organizing.
Do you bring your own cleaning supplies? 02
Yes, our professional teams arrive with all necessary cleaning supplies and equipment. If you prefer green or eco-friendly alternatives, you can request EPA Safer Choice certified products in your booking notes.
How do I handle key handoff if I am not home? 03
Most clients leave keys with their doorman, in a secure lockbox, or provide a digital access code. Simply write down these access instructions in your booking profile so our crew can enter the building smoothly.
What should I do with my pets during the visit? 04
We are pet-friendly! However, to keep your pets safe and comfortable, we suggest keeping them in a separate room or crate while our crew operates vacuum cleaners and sanitizes the space.
Can I book a same day cleaning service? 05
We offer a same-day cleaning service based on schedule availability. Call us directly at (646) 825-3550 to check for openings.
What happens if I need to reschedule? 06
You can easily reschedule your cleaning by logging into your portal or calling our office. Please let us know in advance according to our cancellation guidelines to avoid rescheduling fees.
Client reviews · Part 3 of 3
Rated 5.0 by New Yorkers.
Read recent testimonials from clients who experienced our professional house cleaning service. Search reviews to see what others say about their prep and cleanings.
Recent reviews
Michelle Dupont
Greenwich Village · Manhattan
Verified client
"My daughter’s apartment at NYU was a mess when we came to visit her from out of state. We surprised her by hiring the team to clean her space, and they got the bathroom and floors in pristine condition. It was great to see her actually have a clean, comfortable dorm-adjacent living space that looked like a fresh move-in cleaning."
Apartment Cleaning · Greenwich Village, Manhattan Robert Greene
Park Slope · Brooklyn
Verified client
"Coming back from a 3-week honeymoon was amazing, but opening the door to a dusty apartment was a huge letdown. I was so tired that the thought of cleaning was torture, but a quick call fixed everything. The apartment smelled so fresh and looked incredible, like a professional move-in cleaning service had just been through."
Residential Cleaning · Park Slope, Brooklyn Brian Fitzgerald
Bedford-Stuyvesant · Brooklyn
Verified client
"We had back-to-back Airbnb guests and no time to turn the apartment over between them. The quick-turn cleaning was efficient, and they made the bed perfectly and restocked the toiletries. They kept our unit in perfect shape, and the standard of their move-in cleaning for our guests is the reason we have 5-star ratings."
AirBnB Cleaning · Bedford-Stuyvesant, BrooklynNo reviews match that search.
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Lily Maids House Cleaning Service
101 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005
support@lilymaidhousecleaningservices.com
Serving Manhattan · Brooklyn · Queens
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