Hi
Sorry if is a silly question but I have my first sitter coming next month and wondered if I am right in supplying bedding and towels etc?
Thanks
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Yes you are. Also ensure that your home is clean, that there is hanging and drawer space for clothes in the bedroom and freezer and fridge space. If you search the website you should find an article that tells you how to prepare for your sitter.
All the best and hope you have a great experience.
Just found the article:
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Thank you that’s really helpful
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It’s a mindset thing as much as anything else. Prepare as if a favourite family member was sitting for you: nothing yukky ie empty the bins, nothing cringey ie clean the bathroom meticulously, provide what they need to live in your home comfortably ie heating and other services all provided. They’re house/pet sitting not camping out or simply surviving. Make it nice.
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I always appreciate clear instructions on how to work the washing machine and tv, they are all different.
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And the microwave! I never progress beyond pressing the ‘30 second button’ on repeat 
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wait, microwaves have other functions?!
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Interesting that the list THS provides mentions providing a welcome meal (something I would never expect and since not everyone has the same diet preferences, could be awkward) but says nothing about making sure the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and all living spaces are very neat and clean. Space in a closet or drawers, space in the fridge and freezer, space in the pantry but also space in the bathroom for their toiletries. Depending on the length of the sit, of course. A few days we can live out of a suitcase and won’t likely buy many provisions, but anything more than that then, yes.
Prepare it the way you would if a special guest was coming to stay, as Bonny said. Prepare it the way you would want if you were going to stay in someone’s home. Maybe not quite to the level of an Airbnb (but we sure appreciate it a LOT when that is what we walk into), but along those lines.
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Some cleaning tips as HO: now is a good time to wipe down baseboards/window sills, clean ceiling fans, wipe kitchen cabinets, clean the oven, and go through the freezer/fridge/pantry and eat through stuff you can or toss expired stuff to make room for sitters to buy their own food.
Then the day or two prior to the sitter arriving is just cleaning towels/linens, clean their bathroom, mop floors and countertops and light dusting. Also make sure you leave a reasonable supply of cleaning products.
Our house always looks the best when we are getting ready for sitters LOL.
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The instruction manuals (although not many are available these days) are helpful but you can find all instructions on YouTube. However, I prefer to have a proper handover, when possible, and be shown how to work everything in the flesh
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Maybe make some room for food in the pantry, we are currently sitting for a unexpected counter surfer so need to put stuff away!
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You are supplying linens and towels and blankets and of course a bed. But beyond that imagine this is your crack at turning your home into an Airbnb and/or you are expecting an honored guest even though you won’t be home to wait on them.
Look at your listing and check the amenities list. While sitters might travel with their prefered toiletries it’s alway great to have some shampoos, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, floss, etc (and plenty of toilet paper) at the ready.
You don’t need to supply food, but it’s very nice if there’s salt, spices, cooking oil, etc at the ready. And if you want to come home to a home as clean as you left it, make sure all the supplies needed for that to happen are at the ready.
If you don’t have any drawer space, consider a foldable storable suitcase holder or maybe you have a folding table that would work well. (We have 2 suitcase holders and we put them directly in front of the closets we’d prefer sitters never open so two birds with one stone.)
Just remember: For you this is cheap petsitters! For your sitters this is performing pet sitting in return for comfortable safe accomodations.
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I don’t think of this as cheap pet sitters. I think of it as an exchange, with other humans that love animals.
I do get some HO think if it that way, as there are pet sitters that think of it free shelter.
I can well afford pet care if I don’t find the RIGHT THS sitter.
Frankly it gets offensive - just as sitters get outraged to think they have no other choice - trust me most HO have other choices too.
Yes the home should be clean, welcoming, and pets should be as listed. And the sitters should have a chance to enjoy themselves, per the exchange.
But the rest of the grandstanding is a bit much. There is only so much ‘please bend the knee and kiss the ring’ of the ‘selfless, volunteer, unpaid’ pet sitter that I can stand.
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I think we all agree when the exchange works as it should, fair on both sides it’s a great experience. Hopefully we are all aiming for that then everyone comes away happy.
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That’s what I would like - no need for others to keep stating what ‘all HO’ want for their ‘cheap’ or ‘free’ sitters.
It’s terrible language to use on either side. I wish it to stop.
No one is free or cheap, either HO or Sitters.