Is anyone a cleaner? Advice please

[thesearetherichesofthepoor]

Hi all,

Like nearly everyone I'm panicking about the huge price increases everywhere and my small business is still at the hobby stages.

Looking into becoming a cleaner but I'm clueless as to how you get started etc and what supplies I'd need to get started. Do I need to lug a hoover etc with me or would that be provided by the client typically?

Thank you 😊

I take a vacuum and mop/bucket with me to all clients, most prefer me to use theirs but I like to have the back up of having a decent one in case they have a rubbish one.

Are you currently building up a client list?

I’ve had cleaners that have used mine and provided their own,

I prefer them to use mine tbh rather than theirs that might have been used in homes with pets (we don’t have any) and once I’d explained they were happy to use mine.

We currently don’t have a cleaner and my hover is on its last legs…….

I used to be a cleaner

I took my own products and cloths etc plus a Hoover and factored that in to the cost

Happy to answer any more questions! I mostly loved it - and I always had work

good luck 🤞🏻

My cleaner brings all her own equipment (vacuum, mop and bucket, cloths) and products. I prefer this as I don’t have to worry about what to buy or whether it’s run out.

My cleaner uses my vacuum and steam mop and sprays/polish etc but likes to bring her own cloths. We found her as she just put an advert in a local online group.

I'm a cleaner, one of 5 in a small setup. We provide cloths, cleaning products (unless the homeowner wishes us to use theirs) and I use their hoover and mop.

When I cleaned I always used my own products. I learnt very quickly that peoples idea of cleaning products consisted of a can of Mr Sheen and those nasty yellow dusters.
Don't forget to take toothbrushes. You need them to clean under taps and around plugs and plug holes. Glass cleaning cloths give all glass and mirrors a professional sparkle so get a good stash of those.

We’ve had cleaners for 20+ years and they’ve always used my products and hoover. I do buy things that they prefer using though, like a Henry hoover and particular brands of cleaning products.

I'm a cleaner (but not a house cleaner) and on top of toothbrushes, I recommend getting some little nail brushes, if you see any cheap, and magic sponges (used carefully as they can be more abrasive than you'd think).

Have a think about where you draw the line. I wouldn't mind doing windows, washing/drying laundry, or cleaning ovens, but I don't do ironing or dishes. Be clear about stuff like that, up front (I believe ironing can be offered as an extra, so many £ per bag). Agree beforehand on what you will/won't be doing your first visit, then go from there.

You could specify in your ad that you want the client to provide their own equipment, if that'll help you get started. When you're more established it would be good to have your own back ups, then you can widen your clientele. You will still need your own gloves though, and I would invest in some microfiber cloths, and that anti bac stuff you add to laundry (for the cloths/your work clothes). Check dates on anything you're asked to use or find, as for anything they don't have you can ask the client to provide whatever product they'd like you clean surfaces with/dust/clean mirrors/floors etc, before you start.

As you go, you'll probably pick up a preference for certain products. I like white vinegar for windows and stainless steel, but you might prefer something else. What works in one home, might not in another etc.

Also try to get a glass scraper, like this, one where you can replace the blade. These come in handy for scraping up all sorts of shite, trod on food, gum, stickers etc, just be careful when using as the blades are sharp.

My best advice would be to start off by working for an agency - in my area, agencies are absolutely crying out for temp/perm cleaners. Money (probably) won’t be as good as working for yourself with your own clients, but it’ll give you the chance to learn how to clean a wide variety of different homes quickly and effectively, understand which products really work and what equipment you need, and work out whether it’s something you can cheerfully face doing day in day out - some people find it physically too much, others may find it monotonous. Also, as a PP said, you may find there are some tasks you don’t want to offer - I don’t do full-on oven cleans, or iron clothes (happy to iron bedding though).

That’s how I got started, and it was quite an eye-opener. I was really slow compared to the others at first, gradually picked up speed though and lost plenty of surplus weight in the process (bonus)!

Did agency work full time for a few months, then dropped down my hours as I started picking up clients. I was very lucky, as the agency I was working for was happy to get me started by passing me some enquiries they didn’t want to cover. I’m now fully booked with a waiting list, and earning a decent income.

I provide all of my own cloths and products (except special furniture/floor waxes/polishes) and use my own equipment unless asked not to (due to allergies etc).

You’ll need public liability insurance cover, and car insurance needs to be business class. That’s another good reason for starting with an agency, as you won’t have to outlay any business costs before knowing whether or not it’s for you.

My cleaner uses her own products, has a bag full of cloths, some damp and some dry, brings her own mop and bucket and uses her own hoover

Another tip, bring head phones and download something on your phone to listen to while you work, if possible, music or an audiobook/podcast, it'll make the work feel like less of a chore, and make the day go in faster.