Ask a House Cleaner

What is the difference between a maintenance clean vs. a turnover clean? We are talking routine cleaning for single-family homes vs. an Airbnb or VRBO, short-term rentals flip. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says "A maintenance clean vs. a turnover clean is as different as monochrome is to vibrant color." Short stay and Airbnb expectations for cleanliness call for a full-time caretaker with a flair for hospitality.

Mouse infestation is a nightmare for any home, Airbnb, VRBO or short-term rental. A mouse infestation starts with a hungry mouse looking for food and ends with a pack of mice living in your house. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says you can curb a mouse infestation with hardware cloth. You can use mouse traps, airtight food containers, and rodent repellent sound devices. Prevention is the best cure for mice and other rodents.

Your customer insists you use their cleaning supplies. They could be discount cleaning supplies or organic cleaning supplies. Or they could be from an MLM (Multi-level marketing) company. What do you do when your customer insists? Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says when a customer insists you use their cleaning supplies, ask why. All cleaning supplies don't work as advertised. You have your favorite cleaning supplies and a cleaning routine.

"Wet cloths and sponges. What are you supposed to do with wet cloths and sponges in 100-degree heat in your car while you're cleaning the next client's house? Can the rags catch fire? What are the best practices and proper handling techniques for wet cloths and sponges?" Angela Brown gives cleaning advice for storage of cleaning supplies in your hot car. And SpongeOutlet.com which gives you a discount when using the promo code ABSAVE.

"We may have to fire an employee. But how to know when to fire an employee is the question. She's great at cleaning but she's hijacking the company with her antics." Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says before you terminate or fire an employee stop. A fired, axed, canned maid is of no use to you or anybody else. Communication is the key to firing before giving a pink slip.

Industrial cleaning supplies. Should a solo house cleaner just starting out worry about industrial cleaning supplies and buying in bulk? Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru recommends the Professional House Cleaners Facebook group. Industrial cleaning supplies are different around the world. While sponges and equipment are available to everyone, chemicals are not shipped to all areas. You can also use non-toxic recipes found in the resource section of MyCleaningConnection.com

How to track your business expenses for your cleaning company. It's all about simple tips that organize your stack of bills. If you do your own bookkeeping or payroll you need to know how to track your business expenses. Angela Brown shares ideas on how to track your business expenses with a banker’s box. She uses Quicken and Turbo tax to automate the receipts, reimbursements, bills, and PayPal payments. When bills are due or it's time to pay taxes, there is a system in place.

"The house cleaner has no class!" Don't ever tell Angela Brown a house cleaner has no class. This sent her on a rant about entitled, mean, stuck up, snarky, bratty house cleaners. If a house cleaner has no class "fire them on the spot." "The house cleaner has no class!" Don't ever tell Angela Brown a house cleaner has no class. This sent her on a rant about entitled, mean, stuck up, snarky, bratty house cleaners. If a house cleaner has no class "fire them on the spot." 

This is how hoarding and clutter habits start. "But it's Free" are words that trigger compulsive behavior and a disease we call Freeitis. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says the words "but it's free" should make you pause and think "junk." Free stuff can lead to a messy house, weird habits, and hoarders. You don't have to be a clean freak. But if your family is living in a home of filth, it's time to end the freebies.

Airbnb host or house cleaner who is in charge of the cleaning? And is it the Airbnb host or house cleaner who choose what's on the daily checklist? I get that Airbnb cleaning is daily and sporadic because Airbnb guests come at will. But if you have a short-term rental do you hire a maid? Does the Airbnb Host or House Cleaner provide the cleaning supplies? Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says house cleaning is different in the VRBO, Airbnb space. Check out these tips and cleaning advice.

"Help! There's family competition in the cleaning business. I am trying to grow my cleaning company and family competition is messing things up. She didn't ask to come clean my space or clean with me or anything. Should I be a mentor or give cleaning advice or let her figure it out on her own?" Angela Brown gives expert cleaning tips for this house cleaning FAQ. Should family competition be the reason not to give free house cleaning training?

How do you advertise a cleaning business with no money? Did you know you can't advertise a cleaning business with no money? But you can start your own house cleaning company and grow it with free marketing. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says it costs money to advertise a cleaning business. And marketing costs time. Use free marketing tips to get noticed and find more cleaning leads. Today's Ask a House Cleaner sponsor is Savvy Cleaner Training

Shower cleaning safety is a must for all maids, house cleaners and housekeepers. Shower cleaning safety begins with awareness with bathroom cleaning. It's easy to zone out when cleaning houses for a living. And housework errors create common shower scares. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru shares DIY shower cleaning safety tips, and talks shower shoes. Today's Ask a House Cleaner sponsors are Savvy Cleaner Training (for house cleaners and maids.)

Do you need a housekeeper? How about a house cleaner or a maid? Are you nervous about asking the question do you need a housekeeper? Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says you don't have to go door to door asking people "Do you need a housekeeper?" But you to have to be top of mind and you need a killer sales pitch and daily marketing. If you want to get more clients and close more deals you need your new business to shine when prospects are hiring.

Who does the daily chores? Does the maid do any daily chores or only weekly chores, bi-weekly chores and monthly chores? And what are those daily chores? We Ask a House Cleaner about daily cleaning habits and a daily cleaning routine. Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says a daily cleaning schedule and a daily job chart are for homeowners. Here are some house cleaning tips to maintain the housework.