Last updated on July 31st, 2023 at 02:55 pm
Welcome to my series on my personal experiences in earning side income! Here I share details of my own stories in order to bring to light honest reflections. It should be noted that these are tales of my house cleaning experiences and not everyone will have the same outcomes.
How I got started in cleaning
As a Mennonite woman, I simply to had to exist long enough before someone eventually asked me to clean for profit. (It’s a prime feature of the culture!)
Many women in my community house clean to bring in extra dollars, so I felt honored in my initiation at age 25. An older friend, who had a full-fledged house cleaning business, asked me if I could take a cleaning and serving job she couldn’t on Christmas.
That one time I played maid in a mansion
Impressed by the earning potential and having no real important plans late in the day on the holiday (my family tends to be Christmas morning revelers), I agreed.
After an initial trial and introductory lay of the land with the woman who procured this job opportunity for me, Elma*, I set off to the house alone on Christmas afternoon equipped with a vague sense that I knew what I was doing.
*not her real name
I steered off the main road and turned onto the quiet sun-dappled street studded with stately houses. Admiring the beautiful neighboring properties, I crawled past curls of vines twisting up iron gates and artistically trimmed landscapes and fountains frothing and gurgling. Was that a pair of gargoyles playfully donning Santa hats flanking a mansion drive? Free minutes to investigate this interesting new world and income bracket were evaporating. My eyes caught a glint of sunlight bouncing off the bay situated casually at the road’s end, and I knew it was time to quit gawking.
Pulling carefully into the drive of my assigned house, parking and climbing up winding steps, I knocked nervously on the heavy oak front door, staring down at and overthinking my black flats.
What does one wear when she’s not part of a cleaning company, just an amateur first-grade teacher looking to earn some extra cash? I selected an all-black ensemble– blouse, pants and flats. My duties were to involve serving food to party guests and cleaning up after them. The goal was to signal my role through my outfit so I wasn’t mistaken for someone’s girlfriend or forgotten niece inexplicably taking people’s dirty plates.
The grand oak doors swung open, and I was swept into the beautiful house. After receiving a brief set of instructions, I commenced my job, doing everything I could think to help the owners host their party. I set out food items and collected them, gathered up plates and cutlery, cleaned and tidied. There were times I wasn’t sure exactly where to place things or what to do, a befuddling battle between my people-pleasing and self-starting qualities. I could only forge ahead the best ways I knew how and believe it’d be satsifactory.
Before I knew it, six hours flew by, and I had restored the kitchen counters back to gleaming. There was no need for an awkward “What do you charge?” conversation– the couple handed me a wad of cash at the end of the night. Seeing multiple hundreds in the pile, I refused the generous payment, but they politely fought back, saying it was a Christmas bonus.
Merry Christmas to me, I thought as I skipped back to my vehicle. I’m rich in dollars as well as life experiences.
Shining up residential remodels
In addition to the opportunity to housekeep (twice) for the fancy couple, I was presented with more frequent cleaning opportunities.
I have not sought these opportunities out; they have all come to me. I was thinking about what I could suggest to those who would like to attract chances at cleaning for money, and I couldn’t put my finger on it. Besides being a Mennonite woman, I suppose one could try to present oneself as hard-working and in need of cash. (Being a teacher will automatically beset you with both of these qualities.)
Other cleaning gigs have originated from my contacts in the residential construction industry. A builder I know frequently asks me to tidy up certain sites before residents come to visit. These projects are often halfway complete, so it’s not perfection the contractor is asking me for, but a significantly lower amount of dust. Then when the clients come, they’re able to view the remodeling progress and breathe at the same time.
Cleaning for residential remodeling projects is an odd niche, I suppose, but it comes with perks. Since the homeowners are staying elsewhere, it means I don’t have a client breathing down my neck, observing my every spray and wipe. If I have the house to myself, I’ve even indulged in listening to a podcast.
Earning money while doing physical and satisfying work like cleaning while listening to a podcast hits a lot of my side gig wishes at this juncture in life. I deal with a lot more dust and raw materials than I would at a completed household, but I at least deal with this filth in peace.
House cleaning as a side job: my verdict
In fairness to the verdict, my cleaning gigs have been highly irregular. It’s been a source of pocket change here and there. And I’ll admit my cleaning jobs aren’t the most normal– I haven’t exactly heard droves of people sharing stories of cleaning for wealthy beachliving residents or for contractors looking to impress their remodeling clients.
But as an irregular, random and oftentimes dust-filled side gig, my verdict is this: It’s worth it.
House cleaning as a side job
- Earning potential: Good
- Time flexibility: In my case, good
- Work and effort level: Okay
- Materials needed: Okay once gathered
- Potential to listen to podcasts: Excellent
Earnings
This can change due to geographical location or time, or any other number of factors, but I’ve been earning between $20 and $25 an hour. With additional skill, experience and training, someone in my area could easily command $30+ an hour. Factors may be different in your area.
Supplies
I generally bring the following supplies:
Homemade all-purpose cleaner
Paper towels
Microfiber rags
Vaccum and flat mop, like a Swiffer
Flat mop liquid solution and pads
Broom is usually provided on site
Bucket
Vinegar
Bath/shower cleaner
Sponge
This is what I personally do and experience– your situation may be different, of course. Feel free to use this information as a starting point.
Considerations for taking up cleaning as a side job
If you’re interested in this line of work, you’ll first need to consider your desired role. Will you work for a cleaning company, or be a self-employed entity?
Working for a cleaning company
Pros: Cleaning materials supplied, jobs supplied
Cons: Presumably less earning potential
Working as a self-employed house cleaner
Pros: More earning potential, keeping a larger sum of wages, more control over schedule
Cons: Supplies are not provided, jobs must be sought out and procured, and there are startup costs associated with running a solo business
I find the general pattern in any service job is that joining a company cuts into one’s potential profits. But perks of joining a company usually include the business supplying one with necessary materials and finding jobs for the employee.
As far as demand for the service goes, I think there will remain a constant strong demand. This may vary by area or demographic or time, of course. But even with each new wave of gadgetry we’re introduced to, the machines can’t seem to replace full house cleanings from someone who can work hard and keep attention to detail.
Juggling house cleaning and motherhood
If you choose to freelance clean, like I do, then the jobs must be sought after. Since I’m a homebased mom most of the time and a substitute teacher sometimes, time for house cleaning jobs is minimal. So I’m satisfied with the trickle of jobs that come my way. I also am lucky to have family members available to watch my child, so the childcare aspect is a lot more flexible than it may be for parents in other situations.
I think there’s great potential in creating your own housecleaning business– especially working for high-end clients who can pay more or afford to keep one on a regular schedule. Moms looking for just part-time work could mold this gig to what they need, too, maybe by leaving only certain days a week open for cleaning jobs. Because housecleaning is a service, there’s not pure flexibility. But one could create a schedule that works for all parties, including when childcare is available.
House cleaning is a valuable and potentially lucrative service to offer. I would argue that good cleaners are irreplaceable.
(Just ask my robot vaccum that requires helicopter-parent-style babysitting!)
See what I’ve written about other side gigs I’ve tried:
That time I ran a cottage bakery out of my kitchen
I sold digital education products on TPT
My Side Hustle as a Substitute Teacher
Tutoring: A Soft Landing for Resigning Teachers
Babysitting for Additional Income
