Episodes
In this must-see episode of Ask a House Cleaner, professional cleaners get a stern warning - you shouldn't play chemist when it comes to mixing cleaning products. Host Angela Brown teams up with expert guest Ronnie Kendrick to debunk dangerous myths and amateur practices. They focus on the risks of combining common household cleaners like bleach and ammonia, which can create toxic fumes. Ronnie provides eye-opening insights into why cleaners absolutely must avoid these hazardous chemical...
Published 03/15/24
Proper solar panel maintenance keeps your system running efficiently. In this video, host Angela Brown talks with solar panel cleaning pro-Trevor Steiner about the best practices for caring for residential solar arrays. Trevor explains that most professionals use a rotary brush attached to a pressure washer to spin and rinse away dirt, dust and debris from the panels. Other effective cleaning methods include water-fed poles and robotic solar panel cleaners. Trevor also shares tips homeowners...
Published 03/14/24
Upgrading your home to improve comfort and mobility is key for elderly relatives wishing to age in place. In this video, host Angela Brown talks to expert Brenda Scott about practical ways to adapt living spaces for aging loved ones. Brenda shares tips for organizing and cleaning homes to create safe, senior-friendly environments for parents, clients, and elderly neighbors, while Angela emphasizes simple bathroom upgrades like installing grab bars, toilet risers, and reducing clutter. Brenda...
Published 03/13/24
Preventing dangerous trip hazards is crucial for keeping aging loved ones safe in their own homes. In this video, host Angela Brown and guest expert Brenda Scott discuss strategies for avoiding trip hazards in the home. They emphasize the need to minimize clutter and ensure clear pathways, as trip hazards like scatter rugs, cords, and clutter lead to falls and injuries. The conversation also touches on the use of mobility devices, adjusting them for comfort, and the impact of it on...
Published 03/12/24
Making simple yet effective senior-friendly home improvements is key to helping loved ones age comfortably and safely in place. In this informative dialogue, Angela Brown invites Brenda Scott, a professional home organizer and owner of Tidy My Space, to share her expert knowledge on how to make homes safer for seniors aging in place.  Brenda emphasizes the need for security features such as doorbell cameras to prevent scams, ensuring clean and clutter-free floors, and regular updates to...
Published 03/11/24
Finding the right cleaning employees is crucial for success, but it can be a challenge. In this video, host Angela Brown interviews recruiting expert Shawn Day about strategies for hiring skilled employees for a cleaning business. Shawn emphasizes the importance of understanding your local labor market and using relevant keywords on job sites to attract applicants with house cleaning experience. He advises looking beyond candidates with just cleaning backgrounds and considering those with...
Published 03/07/24
Having a strong company culture is key to recruitment, retention, and growth for cleaning businesses. In this video, host Angela Brown and recruiting expert Shawn Day discuss how to leverage your company culture to drive success. They explain why clearly conveying your culture in marketing and messaging helps attract top talent that shares your values.  Angela and Shawn also explore how investing in satisfied employees promotes positive word-of-mouth and referrals. Overall, they emphasize...
Published 03/06/24
In this video, host Angela Brown and safety expert Brenda Scott discuss making your home safe place for loved ones, especially aging family members. They stress simple adjustments to reduce hazards and avoid dangerous activities like climbing ladders. Brenda explains that small tweaks like taping down rugs cost far less than moving an elder to a care facility. Angela advises choosing age-friendly home modifications, like walk-in showers, that allow your space to adapt as mobility needs...
Published 03/05/24
Living spaces change as we age, and sometimes, so do our cleaning needs. Join Angela Brown as she welcomes Brenda Scott, an expert in creating safe and accessible homes for seniors. This episode delves into the topic of cleaning as we age to ensure independence and minimize reliance on others. Brenda sheds light on common challenges faced by seniors, from mobility limitations to everyday tasks becoming more demanding. Together, they explore practical solutions like lower shelves and...
Published 03/04/24
In this video, host Angela Brown welcomes recruiting expert Shawn Day for an insightful discussion on how to treat your cleaning employees. Shawn stresses the immense value of cultivating a positive company culture where workers feel like family. He advises going above and beyond to support employees to promote loyalty and retention.  Shawn provides examples of unique perks that make staff feel appreciated, while Angela describes her own efforts to build personal connections with cleaners. ...
Published 02/29/24
Stuck in a Hiring Rut? Discover creative ways to find great cleaners with Angela Brown and Shawn Day. Shawn, with his three decades of expertise in building a successful cleaning business, goes beyond the conventional job board approach. He shares innovative methods for attracting top talent, including leveraging his secret weapon: a candidate relationship management (CRM) tool called "Go High Level." Shawn reminds us that hiring the right person is more than just filling a position; it's...
Published 02/28/24
Moving can be stressful, but what if it could be an opportunity to learn to let go and create a lighter, more organized life? Join Angela Brown as she welcomes guest Star Hansen, a decluttering wizard, for a refresh on all things organization and moving prep. This episode dives deep into the transformative power of embracing minimalism. Explore practical tips and advice on how to let go of physical and emotional clutter, respectfully declutter with loved ones, and live with less for a more...
Published 02/27/24
Join host Angela Brown and professional organizer Star Hansen for an insightful chat about embracing change and managing the emotions that come with moving. Relocating often involves sentimentality over belongings and spaces left behind. Star provides practical advice on coping with feelings of anxiety, grief, or uprooting when decluttering and organizing for a move. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and acknowledging emotions so you don't feel overwhelmed. Angela shares her...
Published 02/26/24
In this episode, host Angela Brown and professional organizer Star Hansen unfold the important topic of inventory management during downsizing. As many people transition to downsized homes, it's crucial to mindfully manage belongings using organizational tactics. Angela and Star share personal experiences with storage units and their effectiveness.  They advise listeners to thoughtfully catalog their possessions to determine what to keep, donate or sell. Angela suggests digital inventory...
Published 02/22/24
In this video, host Angela Brown and professional organizer Star Hansen unveil the delicate topic of guiding loved ones in downsizing efforts. They share personal experiences and clever strategies for respectfully decluttering while nurturing relationships.  Angela recounts how she successfully decluttered her husband's closet by gently culling items he was attached to. She focused on empathy, strategy, and respecting personal attachments.  With empathy, strategic pacing and non-judgment,...
Published 02/21/24
In this video, host Angela Brown welcomes professional organizer Star Hansen to discuss the important topic of trimming your belongings before a move. They offer valuable tips on how to declutter, downsize, and clean your home when preparing for a relocation.  Star provides insight into overcoming the emotional attachments people often have to their clutter. She recommends breaking the decluttering process down into manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.  Angela also shares her...
Published 02/20/24
In this video, host Angela Brown and organizer Katy Annulli discuss whether having a large culinary library of cookbooks is still necessary when so many recipes are available online. They talk about the nostalgia factor of holding onto cookbooks for sentimental reasons versus the practicality of digitizing recipes.  Angela and Katy also share experiences about keeping unused cookbooks and ideas on how best to utilize our kitchen space. If you're wondering whether you need all those cookbooks...
Published 02/19/24
In this video, host Angela Brown welcomes recruiting expert Shawn Day for an insightful discussion on recruiting cleaners to work for you. Drawing on his three decades owning a professional cleaning company, Shawn shares invaluable advice for attracting top talent. He emphasizes that recruiting should be an ongoing process, not a last-minute scramble to fill positions. Shawn provides tips on creative recruiting techniques, determining the best times to hire, and establishing strong...
Published 02/16/24
In this video, host Angela Brown and organizing pro Katy Annulli focus on the topic of order in the kitchen and share their top tips for maintaining an organized, functional cooking space. From regular cleaning routines to handy tools for hard-to-reach areas, their advice helps heighten efficiency and prevent chaos. They also discuss an useful app, Itemtopia which assists in tracking all your household items. Their practical tips help optimize kitchen organization and efficiency. Tune in...
Published 02/15/24
The infamous everything drawer is the focus of this video, in which host Angela Brown and organizing expert Katy Annulli share smart solutions for conquering the clutter in this common kitchen catch-all. Their tips help optimize this space to store daily essentials in an orderly way. The pros explain how simple dividers, boxes, and other inexpensive products can transform a jumbled junk drawer into a functional storage spot. Tune in for helpful tips, relatable anecdotes, and a fresh...
Published 02/14/24
In this video we are discussing organizing storage bins for an efficient kitchen. Host Angela Brown and professional organizer Katy Annulli share their best tips for using storage containers to optimize kitchen organization. They emphasize evaluating your needs before acquiring more containers. The pros also recommend clear bins, label makers, and expiration date tracking to make items visible and avoid forgotten food. Throughout the episode, Katy reiterates that getting organized doesn't...
Published 02/13/24
Unwanted kitchen presents can quickly clutter our kitchen spaces and become more of a burden than a gift. In this video, host Angela Brown and professional organizer Katy Annulli tackle the sensitive topic of letting go of kitchen items given as gifts.  They discuss how holding onto unused items, doesn't truly honor the giver. Angela and Katy suggest realistic ways to handle items we don't need - like re-gifting gently used gadgets or donating extras of dishes and appliances. They also touch...
Published 02/12/24
Thorough kitchen cleaning requires strategic prep, as professional organizer Katy Annulli explains in this video. She joins host Angela Brown to share helpful tips for decluttering and organizing before cleaning the kitchen. Katy emphasizes that creating functional systems tailored to one's space and habits allows for more effective cleaning.  She advises clearing counter clutter, categorizing items based on usage frequency and type, and maximizing storage solutions. Katy notes that taking...
Published 02/08/24
The practice of regifting, when done thoughtfully, can be a clutter-busting act of sustainability. In this video, host Angela Brown and professional organizer Nicole Gabai share creative strategies for repurposing unwanted gifts. They advise evaluating items objectively to determine if they'd be better suited for someone else.  Nicole notes that being honest about misfit gifts prevents overstocking your home. Throughout the video, Angela and Nicole propose creative ways to deal with unwanted...
Published 02/07/24
Containers in home organization play a critical role in keeping homes tidy and functional, as explained by professional organizer Nicole Gabai in this video of Ask a House Cleaner.  Nicole explains why picking the right containers is important. For her, the trick is choosing them after you've cleared out the excess and arranged everything neatly. It's like tailoring your choices to match what you've decided to keep and how much of it there is. Angela chimes in, sharing a glimpse of her daily...
Published 02/06/24