1. How
to
Start
a
Green
Housecleaning
Business
The
demand
for
housecleaning
has
been
on
an
upward
trend
for
years.
As
more
and
more
households
now
have
two
working
parents,
the
need
for
extra
help
with
the
household
is
o=en
necessary.
And
now
there’s
a
trend
that’s
growing
even
faster
–
green
housecleaning.
As
more
of
us
are
becoming
aware
of
the
dangers
of
using
toxic
chemicals
in
our
home
environment
-­‐
as
well
as
the
conscious
drive
to
take
beAer
care
of
the
planet,
we’re
aiming
to
be
a
liAle
more
“green”
when
it
comes
to
cleaning.
This
is
where
the
green
housecleaning
business
model
comes
into
play.
By
starEng
your
own
green
cleaning
business,
you’ll
set
yourself
apart
from
the
general
cleaning
companies
and
you’ll
target
a
niche
customer
base
–
those
families
that
want
green
housecleaning
services.
How
Do
You
Get
Started?
The
first
step
is
to
find
an
area
where
the
demand
for
green
housecleaning
is
evident.
Your
customers
will
tend
to
have
a
disposable
income
and
have
an
interest
in
all
things
green,
such
as
recycling
and
hybrid
cars.
It’s
important
to
idenEfy
who
your
key
customers
will
be
and
whether
or
not
they
are
in
your
current
locality.
If
not,
then
you’ll
want
to
target
a
different
area.
A
fast
way
to
have
an
in-­‐built
clientele
already
is
find
someone
who
is
already
servicing
those
clients
and
partner
with
them.
For
example,
you
could
find
a
home
organizer,
a
real
estate
agent,
a
concierge
service,
a
mid
wife
or
doula;
be
resourceful
and
reach
out
to
different
people.
Approach
these
people
with
the
mind
set
of
creaEng
a
mutually
enhancing
relaEonship.
Ask
them
how
that
would
look.
You
may
decide
to
partner
with
more
than
one
person.
This
is
can
be
the
fast
track
to
building
your
business
quickly.
The
next
step
is
to
take
care
of
all
the
paper
work.
A
housecleaning
service
is
not
difficult
to
start
but
you’ll
want
to
ensure
your
business
is
registered
and
that
you
have
the
necessary
insurance
to
cover
yourself
as
much
as
possible.

2. If
you’re
going
to
start
as
a
one-­‐person
operaEon
you
won’t
need
to
worry
about
hiring
employees
just
yet.
But
if
you’re
starEng
out
with
employees,
you’ll
need
to
adverEse
to
hire
the
right
people
and
ensure
that
you
have
the
correct
insurance
to
cover
your
employees.
You’ll
also
want
to
ensure
that
your
business
really
is
“green.”
All
of
the
items
you
use
from
your
cleaning
products
to
your
car
should
aim
to
be
environmentally
friendly.
Your
potenEal
customers
will
be
interested
to
know
just
how
green
your
credenEals
are,
so
be
prepared
to
tell
them.
Create
a
one
page
document
with
a
liAle
blurb:
how
your
business
came
to
be,
what
sets
you
apart
from
the
compeEEon
and
the
overwhelming
benefits
you
bring
by
using
only
environmentally
friendly
products.
Make
the
document
short,
punchy
and
compelling.
This
can
be
your
first
‘leave
behind’
when
you’re
talking
to
prospecEve
clients.
Finally,
you’ll
need
to
find
customers.
Don’t
just
rely
on
your
partners
if
that
is
the
route
you
take;
they’ll
want
to
know
how
you’re
going
to
highlight
them
and
yourself.
Good
markeEng
is
the
key
to
success
for
any
business.
You
can
start
small
by
prinEng
and
sending
out
flyers
in
the
local
area.
A
small
ad
in
the
local
paper
may
also
be
relevant
for
this
type
of
business.
Where
do
moms
congregate?
At
parenEng
classes,
breast-­‐
feeding
support
resource
centers,
day
care
centers.
As
a
mom
yourself,
you’re
bound
to
know
where
your
friends
go.
Make
a
point
of
going
where
your
prospects
are
themselves
and
pu[ng
up
an
ad
or
hand
out
flyers.
Another
powerful
way
to
reach
people
is
by
local
online
mom
groups.
Don’t
market
to
people
right
away
but
share
some
interesEng
facts
about
green
cleaners
for
eg.
Engage
people
in
conversaEons,
parEcipate
in
conversaEons
and
ask
quesEons.
Post
regularly
once
or
twice
a
day
for
a
week,
then
menEon
your
green
cleaning
service.
This
way
people
will
be
much
more
recepEve
than
if
you
pitch
them
right
away.
Ensure
you
have
a
user-­‐friendly
website
that
represents
your
business
in
the
best
light
possible.
You
can
create
websites
for
free
in
iWeb
or
other
naEve
so=ware
to
your
computer.
A
website
isn’t
completely
necessary
when
you
start
out.
It
is
a
much
beAer
use
of
resources
to
really
decide
what
sets
you
apart
and
communicate
that
in
your
flyers
and
online
presence
in
different
communiEes.
Green
housecleaning
is
a
growing
trend
that
looks
to
increase
in
the
future.
If
you
like
the
idea
of
starEng
your
own
housecleaning
service,
this
may
be
a
great
opEon
as
you’ll
have
a
Eght,

3. targeted
market
with
plenty
of
disposable
income.
You’ll
also
feel
great
for
helping
others
and
the
planet
at
the
same
Eme.