Event cleanup: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What event cleanup is

Event cleanup clears a venue or home after a party, wedding, meeting or gathering. The crew collects trash, wipes tables, mops floors, handles dishes and leaves the space ready for its next use or for the host to return to.

Signs you need it

  • Tables are covered in food, drink rings and confetti at the end of the party
  • Trash, recycling and food waste fill the bins and spill onto the floor
  • Glassware and dishes are piled in the kitchen and the sink is full
  • Sticky floors, spilled drinks and footprints are in the entrance and dance area
  • The venue requires the room to be left clean before you can get your deposit back

What the pro does

  • Walk the room with the host to note fragile items, rented furniture and areas the venue requires cleaned
  • Clear tables, collect trash and separate recycling and food waste into the right bins
  • Wash and dry dishes, glassware and serving pieces, or pack them for the host to take
  • Wipe tables, chairs and bar tops, and clean any spills on upholstery with a suitable product
  • Sweep and mop hard floors, and spot clean carpet where spills and confetti have collected
  • Restore the room layout, empty and clean restrooms if included, and leave a note on any damage

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size of the venue or home and the number of rooms that need cleaning
  • Number of guests and the amount of food, drinks and waste generated
  • Whether dishes and glassware are washed on site or packed for the host
  • Restroom cleaning and carpet or upholstery spot treatment, if included
  • Time window, since late-night or early-morning work may need more people
  • Whether the venue requires specific cleaning products or a sign-off on the room

What a written quote should spell out

  • The rooms and areas included, such as restrooms, kitchens, patios and entrances
  • Whether dishes, glassware and serving pieces are washed or left for the host
  • How trash and recycling are removed, and who takes it to the bin
  • Whether carpet or upholstery spot treatment is included or charged separately
  • The time the crew will arrive and leave, and what happens if the cleanup runs over

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How many people do you send for a party of this size
  • Will you wash the dishes and glassware, or only pack them for me
  • Do you take the trash and recycling out to the bin, and where is the bin
  • What do you do with spilled drinks on carpet or upholstery
  • Can you do the cleanup the next morning if we finish late
  • Do you meet the venue's cleaning requirements and provide the sign-off they ask for

Red flags

  • A crew that wants to leave before the room is cleared of trash and sticky spills
  • No plan for fragile glassware or rented items
  • A quote that leaves out restroom cleaning when the venue expects it
  • Use of a harsh product on a venue floor the owner has said must not be exposed to it

What you can do yourself

Hosts can clear trash, stack dishes in one place and bag recycling before the crew arrives, which speeds up the job. Call a professional for large events, for carpet or upholstery spot treatment, and for venues that require a formal sign-off on the room.

Licenses and permits

Event cleanup is not commonly licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency for business registration, and check any rules the venue sets for cleaning contractors that work in its space.

Event cleanup questions

Should I clean up before the guests leave?

Usually not. Most crews work after the event so they are not in the way. Ask the crew what they need from you, such as a clear room and access to a sink.

Who does the dishes?

This depends on the quote. Some crews wash everything on site, others pack dishes for the host. Decide before the event and write it in the quote.

What if we are charged for damage the venue finds?

Ask the cleaner to note damage in writing before and after the event. Keep the report, and talk to the venue about the findings before any charge is applied.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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