Let’s Be Honest (Part 2/7): The Housecleaning Industry Has a Reputation
Housecleaning’s Not-So-Secret Dirty Secret: It’s Not a Career Choice
If you’ve ever tried to scale your housecleaning business and hire a team, you’ve probably realized one thing: this industry has a serious reputation problem.
Housecleaning isn’t seen as a career; it’s a fallback job. A stopgap. A “well, I guess I can do this to make ends meet” kind of gig. And that perception? It’s killing your business.
High Turnover, Low Quality
You’ve been there. You put out an ad, get a flood of applicants, and then—disappointment. Most aren’t serious, and the ones who show up often quit within months. The housecleaning industry’s turnover rate is through the roof because people don’t see it as a long-term profession. And why should they?
- There’s little pride associated with housecleaning jobs.
- It’s physically demanding and undervalued.
- Many cleaners feel disposable, and they often are.
And this affects you directly. You hire someone, train them, invest time and resources, and then they ghost you or quit without notice. You’re left scrambling to cover shifts or, worse, explaining to clients why their cleaning won’t happen as scheduled.
When the Owner Cares More Than the Staff
Let’s be real: no one cares about your business like you do. As the owner, you’re personally invested. You want every client happy, every review glowing, and every home spotless. But your staff?
For them, it’s just a job—one they’ll ditch the moment something better comes along. And here’s the kicker: it’s not because they’re lazy or entitled. It’s because you probably can’t afford to pay them what they’re worth.
The “I Can’t Find Good People” Lie
Ever heard yourself say, “I can’t find good people”? That’s not entirely true. You can find good people—you just can’t afford them right now. Good people want:
- A fair wage.
- Stability and benefits.
- A workplace they’re proud to be part of.
- Career advancement options within the organization they work for
If you’re charging $40 an hour and paying your cleaning professional $20, how do you expect to compete with industries offering real benefits and a sense of career growth? And here’s another hard truth: good people often quit to start their own business.
They see what you charge clients, calculate what they’re earning, and realize they could cut you out of the equation entirely. Many housecleaning businesses start this way—someone you hired decides to leave, takes a few clients with them, and suddenly you’re back to square one.
Here’s the brutal reality: your staff isn’t the problem—your pricing is. To attract and retain quality employees—and prevent them from poaching your clients—you need to charge enough to offer more.
Reliability Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Requirement
Think about what your clients expect. They want:
- Their house cleaned on time, every time.
- No last-minute cancellations.
- The same level of quality, no matter who’s cleaning.
But what happens when an employee quits without notice or calls in sick? You’re stuck, and your clients suffer. Sure, they might sympathize with you—but they’ll also start shopping around. Clients expect reliability, and your business can’t deliver if it’s running on fumes.
Here’s the brutal truth: a business that falls apart when one person is missing isn’t a business. It’s a house of cards.
The Reputation Problem Hurts Everyone
The housecleaning industry’s reputation doesn’t just hurt employees—it hurts you, too.
Clients don’t take housecleaning businesses seriously. They’ll cancel on you last
minute, haggle over rates, and expect perfection for pennies. Why? Because the
industry hasn’t demanded better.
If clients don’t respect the work, it’s because the industry hasn’t given them a reason to.
The Solution: Professionalism Costs Money
The only way to fix this is to demand more—for yourself, your employees, and the
industry. That means:
- Charging enough to pay your staff well.
- Offering benefits to attract serious employees.
- Investing in systems that ensure reliability, even when someone quits.
- Building a culture of pride and professionalism in your business.
The Solution: Professionalism Costs Money
The only way to fix this is to demand more—for yourself, your employees, and the industry. That means:
- Charging enough to pay your staff well.
- Offering benefits to attract serious employees.
- Investing in systems that ensure reliability, even when someone quits.
- Building a culture of pride and professionalism in your business.
Your Wake-Up Call
The housecleaning industry’s reputation problem isn’t just “a thing we all deal with.” It’s
a massive roadblock to growth. If you want to scale your business, you have to address
it head-on.
Start by valuing yourself and your work. Charge what you’re worth, hire people who
care, and create an environment where both clients and employees respect what you
do.
This isn’t just about making your business better—it’s about making the entire industry
better. And it starts with you.
As a non-profit dedicated to the housecleaning industry, the CHCA is here to help you.
Work with us in 2025 and you’ll see a positive change in your business!
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