Thinking About Starting a Cleaning Business—What Makes a Cleaner Truly Stand Out?

[RuxpinT]

I'm thinking of starting my own cleaning business, starting off with cleaning homes. For those of you that have a regular cleaner, or have had cleaners in the past, or who have switched between different cleaners... what is it that makes somebody stand out in your opinion?

I understand things such as reliability (not cancelling, turning up on time, sticking to agreed upon time frames etc), are crucial, but what really makes a cleaner stand out to you? Are there certain things that you particularly like to see, little flourishes like folding towels in a certain way, for example? Little things that go beyond your expectations?

Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated! :)

staying for the agreed time.

Yes, I can see that being very annoying if little bits of time are being shaved off here and there! Is that a problem that you have come across quite often would you say?

Well I’ve never had a cleaner but I’ve been in friends houses when they’ve been there.

I’d like to see someone who looked clean and tidy, neat hair, clean clothes etc.

Clear expectations re time, holidays, bank holidays, extra cleans as a one off etc.

Someone who is prepared to do different things eg one week no cleaning, but help clear clutter or something, flexibility.

Clean standards regarding using and washing cloths, equipment etc.

These are things my friends have been appreciative of.

Don’t clean around things. It really annoys me. If there is an empty glass on the table pick it up and clean the table (and ideally then put the glass in the sink). Don’t just wipe around the bloody thing. Likewise books, toiletries etc.

also clean the underside of taps and the plug holes in sinks.

Its quite a low bar to be honest
Turn up on the right day at the right time
Don't steal anything
Actually clean rather than just move things around
DO move things around so you can clean
Be friendly but don't tell me about too much about your personal life
If you break anything tell me, its fine
If you can't come just let me know (unless you are in a coma or similar obvs)
Don't bring your child
Don't feed my dog bones when I have asked you not to
Don't leave 15 minutes early every time

I had the same lady for a number of years. Was supposed to be for just a months whilst our house was on the market. Circumstances changed , we didn’t move and I kept the cleaner.

Something that grated but I never mentioned. In the beginning she would bring her own slippers to wear. Over time contempt set in. She stopped changing into slippers and wore her outdoor shoes all over my house.

In the end I just felt judged and ended the agreement

Be open to discussion until you are both happy eg ‘I don’t want that cleaning every week, so spend more time on this other thing’.

Be scrupulously honest (obviously!).

Be crystal clear re expectations re wages eg into your account on the day, or a week before, or whatever.

Thank you for replying. They all seem like reasonable requests!

I'm interested in the 'be friendly but don't tell me too much about your personal life'... is this to avoid over-familiarity? Which I guess can lead to a cleaner becoming too relaxed maybe, and spending more time chatting rather than getting on with the job?

Interesting! Thank you for this, I hadn't considered footwear to be honest.

Did you feel judged because she wore her own slippers to begin with? Or because you felt that she stopped caring and felt it was acceptable to wear her outdoor shoes inside?

My standards are basic

come roughly on time and don’t leave early ( unless agreed )
clean thoroughly
do the rooms I ask you to do
I don’t mind the occasional change of day as long as it works both ways
stick to agreements about cleaning equipment and materials

I don’t care about anything fancy, what you wear.

I always pay on the day.

I usually keep my cleaners for years, as we get used to each other and I like having someone I can trust.

Completely agree with hoppings list.
Ability to see the dust/dirt and clean it without having to specifically be asked everytime. Eg clean the sitting room includes dusting, not just hoovering and plumping the sofa cushions.
Don't be on your mobile all the time, you’re at work. Some use is reasonable, but not constant.
Don’t spend ages chatting to me or cuddling the dog!

All the essentials mentioned above.

Additional flourishes that I wouldn't expect but do notice for that boutique hotel feel -

Towels folded in 3 or 4 (whilst holding 'landscape') so they look nicely plump and then hung on the rail with the loose edges facing away from the door

If changing beds, pillows placed with the open ends facing away from the door. My mum was a nurse who trained in a big London hospital in the 50s and they were told to do this!

The big one for me is: Hangs clothes on the right hangers, the right way round and puts them in the wardrobe the correct way round.

Also: Cleans fridge and throws out spoiled food

Dusts for cobwebs, hoovers skirting.

Cleans light switches

Dusts/wipes under things

Puts things away

I have an amazing cleaner

Well firstly its a professional relationship for me and secondly if I am hearing about what a shit her husband is neither of us is working. If a cleaner can simultaneously tell me what a shit her husband is while not stopping what she is doing I have less of a problem with it.
Teabreak not withstanding of course.

Wow, your cleaner does sound amazing! Do they do washing/ironing/laundry for you as well? Or do you mean hang clothes that may have been left out on the bed or chairs for example?

And re, the fridge food... I presume that they know you want them to do this? I think I'd be so worried about throwing something away that was still wanted 😅

For me, none judgment.

I have ADHD and my cleaner is absolutely lovely during the times I am struggling. She has done extra things not on her list during these times, without asking. Obviously I do not expect this, but it's lovely that she does it.

I second the 'be friendly but don't overshare'. I once had a quite young cleaner with a very exciting love life. She was lovely and great at cleaning but I really, really didn't want to know about her latest ONS.

Yes, I see what you're saying re ability to actually see the dust/dirt. I bet this is something that some people are better at than others, and maybe varies between people.

You mentioned about being on their mobile.. obvs totally get this... but would you say it's alright for somebody to wear headphones while they work? I was planning on getting through a serious amount of audiobooks 😅

My cleaner used to describe herself as a clean freak… thst helped recommend her. I had her for two hours in our three bed house, weve moved to a 5bed and she still does only 2 hours and does a remarkable amount in thst time but obviously it’s not as clean as it was in the smaller house.

Things thst make a difference… pillows plumped, rearranged. Clear signs of cleaning properly (ie moving the toaster and kettle and moving it back again). Cleaning windows, cobwebs, things uo high as well as down low.

if she did another two hours a week for me my house would be spotless but it’s not bad given what we’ve got. In return I pay above her going rate, tip at Christmas, and pay if I have to cancel.

That's really great to hear your cleaner helps you out like that. Thank you for sharing. I really do think that most people are suffering these days from burn out, pressure, mental health etc and small things like that can make a massive difference.

Clean the second time as well as they did the first time.
Look up as well as down (ceilings as well as floors).
Don't break the shower door.
Stays for alloted time and can see what to do without needing to be spoon fed.

A cleaner who looks around and sees the jobs that need doing. My first cleaner was amazing. She would do main jobs like cleaning kitchen, bathroom, vacuuming up the stairs, Steam mopping wooden floors in sitting room and dining room then would move in to wiping off window sills, polishing up mirrors and chrome light switches, vacuuming skirting boards. She also ironed shirts for DH and ds and hung them in hangers in wardrobes. Shed hang out washing if a nice day, or pick it in if dry on the line, and fold up. She'd peal potatos and vegetables too if I left a note for her. I've never had another cleaner anywhere near as wonderful as she was.

I agree about the chatting. I really don't want to be paying someone to tell me about their children and their latest escapades. I frankly don't care. Likewise I don't want to feel that they are distracted because they are taking multiple phone calls - particularly when Im working and it's also therefore distracting me.

Agree with the slippers thing. No outdoor shoes in my house so I definitely don't want a cleaner wearing outdoor shoes.

I just want someone who will clean a room the way I would clean it so that when I come back from work it's looking lovely. For me that means both tidy and clean. If Ive left out a plate because Ive grabbed my toast as I've run out of the door then I want it to be put in the dishwasher. It clearly doesn't live on the worktop. Likewise if a child has left their coat on the stairs I would want it to be hung up.

Cleans under things rather than around them.

My current cleaner won’t sweep or mop under the dining table unless I’ve put the chairs on top of the table before she comes. If I forget to do this I come home to food crumbs and stains still under the table.

You sound like a fab client!
In regards to cleaning windows, would your cleaner do that every time she visits and in every room?