Ask a House Cleaner

What is the annual cost of cleaning supplies for a startup cleaning business?  We Ask a House Cleaner the annual cost of cleaning supplies and if it's cheaper to mix solutions or make your own. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says clean with me on a budget you create from ready to use cleaners. The annual cost of cleaning supplies can scale up or down. It's determined by the number of custom...

Entitlement is a problem with house cleaning customers. You go to bid a job and they're like "clean my space, I'm a VIP, and I need special treatment." They reek of entitlement with expectations of speed cleaning and they deserve a discount. The entitlement starts with the promise of rewards and a license to be rude. They expect you to stay longer than the job requires because they deserve it all....

How do you get a teenager to do chores? Teenager chores are different from kid's housework, right? Or if a teenager's dirty room doesn't bother the teen, should it bother you? We Ask a House Cleaner about cleaning motivation and cleaning hacks for teenager housework. Angela Brown says kids cleaning the house is a good idea and trains them to keep up a dirty room. Kids clean when there is a rewards...

Healthcare benefits for house cleaning employees - do they exist? Are we required by law to provide healthcare benefits and if so what and how much? We Ask a House Cleaner about Healthcare Benefits for your maid service.  Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru shares mandatory regulations for employee benefits.  Today's sponsors are Savvy Perks (employee perks for small business owners.) Savvy Clea...

Speed cleaning vacuum style - should you vacuum fast or vacuum slow?  We Ask a House Cleaner if speed cleaning vacuum style is good for the carpets or just the house cleaner in a hurry to go to the next job. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru gives cleaning advice tips on speed cleaning vacuum style. Get a good quality vacuum with lots of suction to pick up stuff. Vacuum your carpets and vacuum...

How do you deal with incompatible coworkers when you are house cleaning? Incompatible coworkers who don't get along or have a lousy work ethic bring the company down.  We Ask a House Cleaner tips for incompatible coworkers, catfights, different work systems and more. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru includes in her house cleaner training ways to inspire co-workers. Set an example for annoying...

Let's talk sponges. Should you use sponges for house cleaning? Or do sponges carry too much bacteria? And when should you use a non-scratch scrub sponge (or scrubby sponge) over a Magic Eraser sponge? We Ask a House Cleaner how to disinfect a sponge and best kitchen sponges for everyday use. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru talks type of sponges and the best sponge for cleaning a bathroom. To...

What do you do when a customer hits on you? If he is in your personal space or tries to attack you do you stay and clean or go? If you are cleaning and he hits on you do you still get paid if you use pepper spray and leave? We Ask a House Cleaner about the client who hits on you, boundaries, and no dating clients. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says when you mix pleasure with business you c...

"What can you tell me about menopause and house cleaning when you just don't care? I know I should clean my space, but since menopause, I've got hot flashes, low energy and I'm always fatigued. With menopause, I don't feel like cleaning. My hormones are out of whack, I have weight gain and I'm too exhausted to clean my messy house. I think I need someone to come clean with me. Angela Brown, The Ho...

"Help. There is a mystery smell in our Airbnb and a different mystery smell in another vacation rental. I'm wondering how to get rid of the stinky odor. I clean my space with eco-friendly enzyme cleaner and I'm not talking speed cleaning. I've washed and scrubbed everything. There is no mold or mildew just a bacterial mystery smell." We Ask a House Cleaner any tips on the lingering smell and clean...

"How do I overcome a 1-star review for house cleaning? I'm trying to grow my cleaning business with ratings and reviews but I got a 1-star review filled with hate and animosity." We Ask a House Cleaner about DIY reputation management and how to resolve a bad review on Google, and Yelp. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says a 1-star review isn't going to kill you. Focus on your satisfaction gu...

What tax tips for house cleaners and maids do I need to know to grow my cleaning business? Are taxes and spending part of a cleaning business plan? And are there tax tips or tax deductions that are standard for house cleaners and maids? We Ask a House Cleaner about tax tips and ways to track expenses and receipts. Angela Brown gives recommends accounting software like TurboTax, QuickBooks, FreshBo...

"How do we keep uniforms looking nice? I want to grow my cleaning company and brand my professional look." We Ask a House Cleaner about stain resistant, non-fade, wrinkle-free clothes and how to keep uniforms looking nice.  Angela Brown, the house Cleaning Guru gives tips to keep uniforms looking nice with a disposable apron. Especially if you use bleach. A must-have for every maid service.  Today...

A cleaning contract is a great way to create boundaries and solidify a deal. But do your house cleaning clients need to sign a contract or agreement? We Ask a House Cleaner tips on rules and regulations to put into contract form and how to enforce the policies. "I want to grow my cleaning company but I don't have any speed cleaning agreement, no legal stuff, or records on file." Today's sponsors a...

Hoarding is real. And hoarding is a disease that affects all members of the family. Today we look at hoarding, compulsive spending, mental health and how to change your relationship with stuff. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru shares tips today on Ask a House Cleaner about weird habits hoarders have. "Is it possible to clean my space with obsessive-compulsive disorder? I don't want to be a cl...

The hardest money I ever earned came on the heels of business failure. The hardest money I thought was being in business for myself. I was so wrong. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru gives tips to avoid the hardest money you'll ever earn when you close your business. If need be, quit your job, walk away and find a job recruiter. Join a staffing company, have a job interview but don't tell them...

Shoe covers? The customer says "clean my space but no shoes in the house." Am I supposed to clean in bare feet or stocking feet? Or do I wear shoe covers over my sneakers? We Ask a House Cleaner about shoe covers and wearing a shoe with a shock absorber and arch support. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says there are disposable shoe covers, reusable shoe covers and reusable snap on shoe cove...

"Haters, bullies, and trolls are mean-spirited people trying to bloke block me so I can't grow my cleaning company." We Ask a House Cleaner about haters and difficult people (i.e. the annoying competitor.) Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru gives tips on haters. Bleep and block the adversary or mean maid. You can't grow your cleaning business if you focus on the antagonist in your way. Speed cl...

"What employee records do I need to keep for my house cleaning business? Besides employee records are there legal documents I will later need to grow my cleaning business? And do the employee records need to be agreements in writing or can they be verbal agreements?" We Ask a House Cleaner about rules and regulations for employee files. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru talks policies and agre...

"How do you price your service for house cleaning? I mean I want to build my cleaning business but don't even know how to bid a house cleaning job. Is there a secret to price your service?" We Ask a House Cleaner common questions and Angela Brown answers. How do you price your service and set your rates? How much should I charge for house cleaning on a walk through? How do I grow my cleaning compa...

"When should I go full time in house cleaning? My coworkers say I should clean my space of the boss and office politics." "How do I know when to go full time? If I quit my full-time job I lose my benefits but I need a more flexible schedule." Can I Ask a House Cleaner how to grow my cleaning company from a part-time job to speed cleaning as a savvy cleaner? Angela Brown says you'll know when to go...

"Do you have an extra charge for extra people if you come clean my space? Or is there an extra fee for pets?" We Ask a House Cleaner if you should have an extra charge for extra people. Because if there is more work you need more money. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says don't advertise an extra charge for extra people. It's tacky. "If I were trying to grow my cleaning business or maid ser...

What employee perks can I give my house cleaners and maids to keep them loyal while I grow my cleaning business? Employee perks, bonuses, incentives, gifts and surprises do keep employees motivated. We Ask a House Cleaner about an employee perks program and unique employee benefits. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says reward employees for speed cleaning and quality. This keeps you and your...

Daycare to house cleaning side hustle how about it? "Neighbors are asking clean my space so I thought I'd build my cleaning business after my daycare nursery kids go home." We Ask a House Cleaner tips to earn extra money housekeeping and opened a can of worms. Turns out Angela Brown has a strong opinion about daycare children and Mom Syndrome. As a daycare provider, you need your rest, exercise, s...

"How do biorhythms affect house cleaners? I want to grow my cleaning business but it's hard when I'm moody, thin-skinned, sensitive and clumsy." We Ask a House Cleaner "Could it be biorhythms?" "I'm trying to build my cleaning business and I'm no clean guru, but I am emotional and in a bad mood. I don't know if it's biorhythms or PMS and it's killing my maid service." Angela Brown, The House Clean...