Where theres muck, theres money.
Cleaning houses can net you more than $50 an hour if youre smart about it.
You just have to be willing to get your handsdirty.
Cleaning not your thing? Here’s our list of29 of the best side gigs,plus resources to help you succeed.
Cheyenne Street started a home cleaning business as a part-time gig.
We just wanted to make some extra money on the side, her husband, Jeremiah Street, said.
Five years later, the two are co-owners and operators ofLuxe Cleaning Services, a booked and busy business.
According to him, attention to detail and warmth are the key to their success.
Heres how to get started.
But how do you find them?
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Taskrabbit is the most popular option.
The gig worker platform is one of the first places a homeowner might go for help with tidying.
There are downsides to Taskrabbit.
It charges customers a Trust and Support Fee, which can top out at more than35%!
At that rate, if you charged $50 an hour, the customer would pay $67.50.
You could lose out on potential clients who wont pay the premium.
Also, clients are often looking for one-off jobs, not recurring ones.
It happens, but its risky.
A Taskrabbit spokesperson clarified the companys policy in an email.
People were cleaning houses before the gig economy was a glimmer in a venture capitalists eye.
There are other options.
There was a Web 1.0 version of the gig economy: craigslist.
Post an ad and let the replies roll in: no middlemen, no fees.
No protection, either.
There are pros and cons.
The slightly updated version of this strategy is posting on Facebook Groups.
Check the rules of your local group to see if they allow small businesses to advertise their services.
If youre willing to invest a bit more time and money, consider launching your own website.
Cheyenne Street built Luxe Cleanings website and it paid off quickly.
People arent necessarily expecting a polished, fully-functional web presence from an independent home cleaner.
A good old-fashioned flyer with a phone number attached might be all you need.
Get Supplied
To run a cleaning business, you need cleaning supplies.
That can get expensive, quick.
Raid the clients supply closet.
Some clients even request that you use their cleaning products.
A simple Do you prefer that I use your products or bring my own?
Another option is raiding your own supply closet.
If youre enough of a neat freak to clean for a living, you probably have a well-stocked arsenal.
you’re free to always bring it along.
Chances are you will want to fill in some gaps.
Heres a basic checklist:
Sometimes, brand-name stuff is worth shelling out for.
Some cleaners swear by Windex, others never leave for a job without Bar Keepers friend.
And if a durable product helps speed up cleaning jobs?
Thats a worthwhile investment.
But think about it.
You are traveling to the clients home, with your own supplies, to do a literal dirty job.
Oh, and youre handling your own taxes and marketing, too.
Thats a premium service you should charge a premium!
Cleaners on Taskrabbit get a helpful hint about pricing.
Rates of $70 an hour or more are not unheard of in major cities.
Obviously, you want the former, not the latter.
But it can be hard to tell until youre already on the wrong side of the clients door.
It helps to request photo and video before you agree to a job.
If the images show a wreck, its unlikely to be any better when you arrive.
Extreme mess isnt the only reason to turn down a client.
Some potential customers can be confusing, shady or just plain rude.
You dont have to deal with that.
On the flip side, clients have to be able to trust you, too.
Were in peoples houses, Street pointed out.
You have to be able to communicate with the client.
Personability and warmth are almost as important as cleaning skills.
Stay Safe
Cleaning involves entering a private space with someone you dont know.
Always put your safety first.
Here are some things to watch out for.
Dont be afraid to cancel a job if it doesnt feel right.
Clean Houses
If you want to run a cleaning business, youll need to clean.
Sounds simple enough, right?
Simple, maybe, but not easy.
Were extremelydetail-oriented, Street said.
He cites his mother, who cleaned vacationrentals, as a role model.
All the ts were crossed and is were dotted, Street said.
All the clients expectations met, and then some.
Andrew has noticed how much clients appreciate when he thoroughly cleans the stovetop.
For me, its a given.
Fold the toilet paper.
It might just be the extra step that earns a repeat client.
Contributor Ciara McLaren is a freelance writer with work in HuffPost, Insider, and The Penny Hoarder.
it’s possible for you to find her on Substack (@camclaren).
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