Saedi the Cleaning Lady

I've had plans for this post for so long! It's addressing my favorite cleaning topic. Hard water and how to get rid of it. The answer is very simple....Lime-A-Way! In all it's forms! I have a major love affair with this cleaner. I buy it almost every time I'm at the store. I can't take the chance that I'll run out. The funny thing is, it isn't something I use every single time I clean. But, I use it hardcore on my first visit to most houses because every house seems to have some hard water buildup. It happens so easily! I wish I had known how great this product was years ago. I could have saved myself so much work and misery. There are two kinds of Lime-A-Way that I use on a regular basis and here they are: Now, I love them both dearly, but I use them for different situations. The spray foam Lime-A-Way is what I use on sinks, counters, glass, showers and tubs. The gel I mostly use inside toilet bowls, but it's incredible on other surfaces...

When I first started this business, I was coming from a custodial job at my local high school. I really loved the setup I had with my cart and my garbage can and all the tools and rags I used there. I knew I wanted a very portable version of the same thing as I cleaned houses. I like to provide my cleaning materials. For one thing, I like to know that I have what I need for almost any situation, second, I think people appreciate knowing they don't have to keep track of their cleaning supplies and when they need refilling. The first thing I purchased and was this: (best decision ever!) This is an extra large cleaning caddy. Even if you have zero intention of starting your own cleaning business, you need this bad boy in your life. I'll be doing a post soon explaining how to clean your house like a cleaning lady. Having this job has helped me so much in cleaning my own house. Using a cleaning caddy is one of my top helps! I also use two of these:...

I had a cute friend request that I tell the story of how I got started with my cleaning business. It's not a thrilling story, but there is some valuable information in it, so here goes. My husband had a good job and we made decent money, but like most of us, I really wished we had some "extra" funds. We never seemed to be able to afford a vacation with our 6 kids, or any of those little luxuries like eating out with them. So, when my youngest started pre-school, I started looking for a part time job that would be flexible, and pay well. Turns out, it didn't exist. I had worked part time as a custodian at the local High School in the evenings and I really did love it. It was quiet, I could listen to audiobooks or music, and my batteries recharged while I was alone. The bummer was, it paid $9.00 an hour, which didn't add up very quickly. I had thought about cleaning houses several times in the past, but it seemed kinda scary and overwhelming to me, so I never pu...

Another question that comes up a lot is "expectations". I've found that a lot of people seem to think that in two hours we should be able to clean an entire house. Let me make this perfectly clear, that's not possible if you want something to actually be clean. It took you weeks, months, or years to make your mess, it takes time to clean it. Obviously, the bigger the mess, or the deeper it goes, the longer it will take. I've had a single bathroom take me a full 2 hours multiple times. Now, don't get me wrong, I am a fast worker and I don't EVER take a break when I'm cleaning, but some messes just take time and I won't stop till it's as close to perfect as possible. That includes doing my best to completely eradicate hard water buildup and scale. If you have severe hard water build up, it will take a lot of time. It also includes cleaning walls, baseboards, cabinets, etc. This type of deep cleaning isn't fast. If you're looking for...

This might be the question I've had more than any other. And sadly, the answer is kinda complicated, so try to bear with me while I answer. If you have an independent house cleaner (not a large business) who cleans your house, a tip is always very much appreciated, but not expected. I know, not complicated yet, but gimme a minute. You might want to save your tips for holidays, or days when they do an exceptional cleaning job (which hopefully is every time). A tip anywhere from $5 to $10 is a big deal! Here's my theory. I am never bugged or in any way offended if I don't get a tip. However, people who tip me each time I clean are always going to be my highest priority jobs. I will rearrange my schedule to accommodate their cleanings because it means more money for me and because I know how much they appreciate what I do, they prove it! I provide my own cleaning supplies and I frequently stay anywhere from 5-10 minutes past my allotted time at every house I clean, so ...

Hello and welcome! I decided to start a blog to address some of the frequently asked questions I get with my business. For example, one that I hear all the time is, "Am I supposed to tip my cleaning lady?". I also get a lot of specifics about what cleaner to use and when. I'm learning new tips and tricks all the time, and I love to share with people what I know. I'm also thrilled to hear success you have with a specific product or something you've cleaned, so please comment and share! I'll start you off with a picture of me and my family!