Ask a House Cleaner - podcast cover

Ask a House Cleaner

Angela Brown the House Cleaning Guruaskahousecleaner.com
Welcome to Ask a House Cleaner, the daily podcast hosted by Angela Brown, the House Cleaning Guru. Get practical advice on cleaning surfaces, removing stains, handling clients, cleaning tips and techniques, and marketing your services. Submit your cleaning questions and get actionable tips to improve your skills and grow your business. With Angela's unmatched expertise, whether you're a pro or just starting out, tune in every day to take your cleaning skills to the next level. On Ask a House Cleaner, you'll get practical advice on everything from how to clean specific surfaces and remove tough stains to how to handle difficult clients and market your cleaning services effectively. Angela's expertise is unmatched, and she's authored countless books and courses on house cleaning that have been translated into 191 languages and used in 37 countries. Listeners are invited to submit their cleaning questions, and Angela will provide detailed answers and actionable tips to help you achieve the best possible results. Whether you're a seasoned cleaning professional or just starting out, Ask a House Cleaner is the go-to podcast for all your house cleaning needs. Tune in every day to learn something new and take your cleaning skills to the next level.

Episodes

How Company Culture Drives Success in Your Cleaning Business with Shawn Day

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 that co...

Mar 06, 20245 min

Making Your Home A Safe Place For Your Loved Ones with Brenda Scott

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 change ov...

Mar 05, 20245 min

Changes In Cleaning and Organizing As We Age with Brenda Scott

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 cabinets, li...

Mar 04, 20249 min

How To Treat Your Cleaning Employees with Shawn Day

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. Tune i...

Feb 29, 20245 min

Creative Ways To Find Great Cleaners with Shawn Day

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 the bi...

Feb 28, 20247 min

Learning to Let Go with Every Moving Box ft. Star Hansen

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 fulfi...

Feb 27, 20248 min

Dealing With Emotions That Come With Moving ft. Star Hansen

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 personal ex...

Feb 26, 20249 min

Inventory Management During Downsizing with Star Hansen

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 apps lik...

Feb 22, 20247 min

Guiding Loved Ones in Downsizing Efforts with Star Hansen

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, guiding ...

Feb 21, 20247 min

Trimming Your Belongings Before a Move with Star Hansen

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 personal s...

Feb 20, 202413 min

Refreshing Your Culinary Library with Katy Annulli

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 or h...

Feb 19, 20245 min

Recruiting Cleaners To Work For You with Shawn Day

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 relationships...

Feb 16, 20245 min

Top Picks for Order in Your Kitchen with Katy Annulli

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 for pra...

Feb 15, 20246 min

Smart Solutions for Your Everything Drawer with Katy Annulli

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 perspective ...

Feb 14, 20245 min

Organizing Storage Bins For Your Kitchen with Katy Annulli

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 requir...

Feb 13, 20247 min

Handling Unwanted Kitchen Presents with Katy Annulli

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 on e...

Feb 12, 20245 min

Prep Steps For Kitchen Cleaning with Katy Annulli

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 the ti...

Feb 08, 20247 min

How The Practice of Regifting Can Tidy Up Your Home with Nicole Gabai

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 or u...

Feb 07, 20246 min

The Role Of Containers In Home Organization with Nicole Gabai

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 rout...

Feb 06, 20245 min

Returning To Your Back To One Organized Space with Nicole Gabai

In this video, host Angela Brown talks with professional organizer Nicole Gabai about her concept of "Back to One" for keeping a tidy home. Back to One refers to the practice of resetting each room in your house to its ideal organized state at the end of every day. The goal is that by dedicating just 15 minutes per room per day to tidy and declutter, you can maintain an orderly living space with minimal effort. Back to One works by establishing what your ideal vision is for each room when it's c...

Feb 05, 20246 min

Focusing on Simplicity While Organizing with Nicole Gabai

Let's start focusing on simplicity and repurposing core elements rather than buying new items for each occasion. In this video, host Angela Brown and professional organizer Nicole Gabai, share their own experience shifting to a minimalist approach for decoration, party planning, and cooking to better fit your busy schedule. Nicole emphasises on the 'back to one' setup, a technique that involves re-purposing core elements instead of buying additional items for each occasion. Angela shares her own...

Feb 01, 20246 min

Organizing by Embracing the New and Letting Go of the Old with Nicole Gabai

Letting go of the old household items and embracing the new is the focus of this video featuring cleanfluencer Angela Brown and organizer Nicole Gabai as they discuss strategies for getting rid of unneeded possessions, delving into the importance of letting go of excess belongings rather than letting clutter accumulate. Nicole shares tips for identifying items to donate, sell, or repurpose. She also stresses the importance of being intentional and asking yourself if items spark joy or serve a pu...

Jan 31, 20246 min

Escaping Organizing Paralysis with Nicole Gabai

Getting organized can seem like an overwhelming task, leading to what professional organizers call "organizing paralysis." In this video, Angela Brown and guest Nicole Gabai tackle strategies for escaping organizing paralysis and finally getting clutter under control. Nicole provides helpful tips, starting with identifying quick decluttering projects like clearing kitchen counters or sorting through junk drawers. She also covers quick cleaning techniques for when guests are on the way, like focu...

Jan 30, 20248 min

The Back-to-One Organization Approach with Nicole Gabai

In this video Angela Brown teams up with the brilliant Nicole Gabai, a professional organizer, to discuss invaluable tips and tricks to efficiently organize your home. Nicole introduces viewers to the innovative concept of 'Back-to-One Organization' a practical approach to restore your home to its original state after festive gatherings. She also shares her principle of 'Sectional Organizing', where each room or part of a room has a specific purpose and is clear of unnecessary items. Whether you...

Jan 29, 20245 min

Organizing Your Home in the Smartest Ways with Nicole Gabai

Let's talk about organizing your home for the holidays and celebrations in this video featuring professional organizer Nicole Gabai and host Angela Brown. The video reveals Nicole's strategies for balancing decoration and decluttering. She offers specific organizational advice for high-traffic areas and cluttered corners of the house. Nicole explains adaptable methods of tracking progress for clients, important principles of organization like 'back to one', and some quick fixes for last-minute d...

Jan 25, 20248 min

The Fundamentals of Virtual Home Organization with Nicole Gabai

Virtual home organization with professional organizer Nicole Gabai is the focus of this video. Host Angela Brown interviews Nicole about her virtual organizing service, which helps clients declutter and organize their homes remotely. In this video, Nicole shares tips for organizing shoes, explaining the fundamentals of her virtual system. She describes how virtual organizing works, the benefits it offers busy people who need organizing help, and how she can customize plans for each client's need...

Jan 24, 202411 min

Essential Filter and Disposal Cleaning with James Copeland

In this informative video, Angela Brown speaks with expert guest James Copeland to provide essential tips on filter and disposal cleaning. James, Director of Technical Services at Prism Specialties, offers specific advice on properly maintaining and cleaning range hood filters, washing machine filters, and garbage disposals. Neglecting filter and disposal cleaning can lead to bigger problems down the line, so James covers when and how to safely clean them. He also emphasizes the importance of re...

Jan 23, 202412 min

Dangers Of Self-Cleaning Ovens with James Copeland

Self-cleaning ovens, while convenient, can also pose serious dangers that homeowners should be aware of. In this informative video, Angela Brown welcomes James Copeland from Prism Specialties to take an in-depth look at the risks of using your oven's self-cleaning mode. James explains that while this feature can easily remove baked-on grease and food residue, it can also release harmful fumes, especially if chemical oven cleaners were used prior to the cleaning cycle. Angela and James go on to p...

Jan 22, 20247 min

Is Your Oven Cleaning Method Putting You at Risk with James Copeland

Oven cleaning can be a tricky and potentially dangerous task if not done properly. In this video, Angela Brown and James Copeland, the Director of Technical Services at Prism Specialties, provide essential safety tips for cleaning ovens to help avoid harming yourself or your client's appliances. James outlines safe practices like avoiding mixing cleaners and using extreme caution with self-cleaning oven features, which reach scorching temperatures that can damage appliance parts if not operated ...

Jan 18, 202411 min

Cleaning Up Messy Fridge and Greasy Stovetop with James Copeland

Cleaning fridge and stovetop can seem like an endless chore, with messy shelves, sticky drawers, and caked-on stovetop grease that never goes away no matter how much you scrub. Join host Angela Brown and special guest James Copeland, Director of Technical Services at Prism Specialties, for an informative discussion on properly cleaning your fridge and stovetop. Learn the best techniques and cleaning solutions for tackling refrigerator shelves, drawers, door gaskets, and condenser coils. James of...

Jan 17, 202413 min