Thank you for your advice on both looking for the word “clean” in a review about the owner. I just came from an absolutely filthy sit. Being a new sitter, I don’t want to lose my 5 star rating. This owner wrote a rant about a past sitter’s ratings when they only gave them 4 stars in one category. I don’t want this to happen to me if I do an honest review. So, do you still give the formal review 5 stars, and just not mention anything about the level of cleanliness? What did you do? How do I warn future sitters? BTW, I left my living areas spotless, but took before and after photos of the whole house to prove the deep cleaning I had to do. Though I didn’t take a photo of the cockroaches.
Hi @Teatime
Welcome to the forum!
I’m sorry to hear this.
As well as a fair and factual review, I’d recommend reaching out to our Member Service team to share your recent experience including and photo’s (please don’t share any pics here).
Looking forward, we’re in the process of rolling out a new process which makes it easier than ever for members to share feedback directly with TrustedHousesitters, check out Recommend a Member for more information.
We, a generous pronoun here, tend to clean a property until my spouse starts swearing.
At me, for foolishly suggesting that we shouldn’t try to leave a property cleaner than when we arrived - ugh 
.
Also at me, for even more foolishly suggesting that the property is plenty clean enough - ugh .
Or at some other topic such as cleaning supplies, dirty [thing], or otherwise.
@Teatime, this is a sad story but alas does happen. We’ve faced it twice. In one case, a month long housesit, we communicated to Pet Parent on day 1 that we would only use specific rooms and not use rest of house (i.e. we’re not cleaning most of house). Where appropriate then we leave brief, objective review and star rating. We’ve left 3* and 4* ratings for cleanliness. No retribution. Suspect a minority of Pet Parents are chancers seeking free labour - they know that their property is filthy so not surprised at rating.
@Mark_B, cleanliness seems (in our experience) a surprisingly undefined term where standards vary considerably. Perhaps THS could establish simple expectations for cleanliness in Terms of Service or in PP/HS comms.
- property cleanliness at start of sit, say identifying key topics (here’s looking at you fridge/kitchen) or mindset (perhaps clean property as if expecting family/guest)
- property cleanliness at end of sit (say similar cleanliness as start of sit)
I leave the house as clean as when I arrived and often cleaner. I like for owners to come back to a very clean house so that they won’t have to worry about that for at least a few days. Just a nice surprise and it makes me happy when they’re happy. ;D
If the house is not at all clean when I arrive, I tend to do the minimal cleaning. First, I clean it to my liking because otherwise I can’t stand it. Of course I still do my best to leave the house clean, but I’m not making any extra effort usually.
As you suggest, it is tricky as it can be a subjective term.
Having said that, I thought I’d share some handy snippets and links from TrustedHousesitters pages which may be a useful starting point;
Who is responsible for home care?
“Pet parents must make sure that sitters are welcomed into a clean, comfortable, and secure home. Sitters are then responsible for caring for the home during the sit, ensuring that the pet parents return to a clean and tidy home too.”
Who pays for home care essentials?
“Pet parents are expected to cover any home care costs in order for a sitter to complete a sit. This includes paying for any pet and home care provisions that a sitter may need (for example, pet food/medication and any cleaning products).”
Sitters preparing to depart
“leave the home just as you found it.”
I didn’t write a review for that sit. It’s the only one I’ve skipped out of nearly 30.
Context: It was one of my first sits and they’d clearly tidied up the rest of the house. At the time, I wasn’t sure whether my expectations were in line with THS norms, because the previous reviews were all five stars, with no mention of a lack of cleanliness. I don’t think THS had started individual star ratings for cleanliness, etc.
I didn’t write a review, because if I did, there would be no way I’d misrepresent or gloss over the dirty kitchen and dining area, and there would be no way I’d recommend the sit based on my standards for cleanliness.
Knowing what I know now, I’d ding them on cleanliness without hesitation — four stars and I’d write about how the sit wouldn’t suit folks who prioritize a clean kitchen or dining area.
Thank you for your insights and ideas on how to construct my review on this particular sit, and in helping me vet future sits. I feel protective of the Sitter community, and for the truly good Home Owners.
I always try to leave the home as clean as I found it. I have no problem making bed, if time allows for wash, dry and remake, or an extra set of linens have been provided. This means surface wipes, any dishes, vacuum, bathroom etc. However, on one occasion it did not and never will include, washing out toilet with rags and sponge. I am not ready, willing or able to do this. This practice also meant the toilets were not very clean when we arrived either. Anyhow, our only 4 star category, oh well. We really like our hosts to return to a clean and relaxing environment.
One of the most common, and surprisingly avoidable, frustrations I encounter is arriving at a home where the vacuum cleaner hasn’t been emptied and barely works. A full dust bin, clogged filters, or a brush roll wrapped in hair can reduce suction so much that cleaning becomes an exercise in frustration. Sitters want to leave a home as clean as they found it, but that’s difficult when the primary cleaning tool hasn’t been maintained. Spending five minutes checking the vacuum before a sitter arrives is a small courtesy that makes a big difference.
Host Tip: Before your sitter arrives, empty the vacuum, remove hair from the brush roll, and make sure it has good suction. It’s a simple task that helps your sitter keep your home clean and shows consideration for the person caring for your pets and property.
Here’s the viewpoint of the homeowner – I do a very thorough cleaning before the sit (including cleaning the inside of the vacuum), including cleaning out the refrigerator and freezer and washing windows inside and out. I also leave space in the bathroom and in the closet for their stuff, because my sits are for several months. SO, when I return, I expect the same level of cleanliness. What drives me crazy are those sitters who move stuff around (including furniture) and I end up finding coffee cups in the food pantry or items of their clothing under the bed (UGH). I do appreciate when the sitters strip the bed and put dirty sheets and towels in the laundry room, but I don’t expect them to run the laundry and remake the bed (although some of them do). I also let the sitters use our car since our house is in a remote area, and we give it to them with a full tank of gas. The only thing I ask is that they don’t leave the car on empty.
@naalehuretiree I do exactly the same as you before my sitters arrive.
When I’m sitting I aim to leave a home as if I’ve never been there. I take photos of kitchen counter tops & cupboards at the start so I can make sure everything is put back where the owner left it.
Yes! Taking photos is what I tell all my housesitters to do. Even the experienced ones haven’t thought of doing that, and it really helps.
@Mark_B, all these statements appear to be sourced from adhoc THS webpages. I took quick peek and did not spot any reference to cleanliness in the THS Terms of Service. If so, and I may have missed something, then it appears that cleanliness is an encouragement rather than a requirement of THS?
The host won’t see your review of them until after they post a review of you . Or after 14 days when they will no longer be able to submit a review . So you do not need to worry about a retaliatory review .
Keep to the facts , mention positives as well as negatives .
Always slightly cleaner and tidier than I found it - but only because that’s how I like to live! On sheets & towels etc, it depends how much time I have. I love washing & drying them/ hanging them up to dry if I have time, at the minimum I strip the bed & place linen in the laundry basket. Once I knew hosts were getting back late from a 22 hr trip so I made sure to put clean sheets on the master bed (where I was sleeping) and she said it made her so happy on arrival she could weep 
So cute. Being thoughtful relative to the situation is so easy to do. I generally vacuum & wipe surfaces as I go. But it also depends on whether there’s a cleaner! Most of the properties I sit have a weekly cleaner. On Tuesday the cleaner arrives the morning I leave, but I’ll still do a quick swish, empty the bins, clean the litter, and strip the bed.
I clean up after myself in the areas I use (kitchen, bathroom, guest room, living room/family room). I don’t do any dusting or mopping.
I use my own sheets and towels. At the end of the sit, I remake the bed (unless asked not to) and leave a note that the bedding is clean. On the rare occasion that I don’t bring my own sheets and towels, I wash what I use.
Also, I LOVE a sit that has a housekeeper come! I never say no to the housekeeper coming in during my sit.
I will strip the sheets but never have time to do a full load of wash. Once I was asked to remake the bed and I said I would if you left clean sheets out. Of course, they didn’t and I couldn’t find them anywhere in their messy closet so I couldn’t do it. Frankly, if I were these homeowners, I wouldn’t even want the sitter to strip the sheets because it always reveals ugly stains on the mattress cover. How embarrassing. It happens a lot.
Further, I will clean the sinks spotless, and the faucets (cleaner than they were left for me), replace unusual ingredients I used (same brand), empty all the trash and re-line the cans, pile the used towels or put them in the washer if I’m asked to.
I don’t mop floors and will only sweep or vacuum if there is a mess left by the cat litter or lots of carpet lint from the cats.
All dishes cleaned, put away.
I have always done the same thing because I don’t trust myself to remember where everything goes that I may have moved while making space for my things, especially in the bedroom or bathroom.