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 often 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 better care of the planet, we’re aiming to be a little more “green” when it comes to cleaning.
This is where the green housecleaning business model comes into play. By starting your own green cleaning business, you’ll set yourself apart from the general cleaning companies and you’ll target a niche customer base – those 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 disposable income and have an interest in all things green, such as recycling and hybrid cars. It’s important to identify 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.
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.
If you’re going to start as a one-person operation you won’t need to worry about hiring employees just yet. But if you’re starting out with employees, you’ll need to advertise 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 potential customers will be interested to know just how green your credentials are, so be prepared to tell them.
Finally, you’ll need to find customers. Good marketing is the key to success for any business. You can start small by printing and sending out flyers in the local area. A small ad in the local paper may also be relevant for this type of business. And don’t forget the internet; even local customers may use the net to find you.
Ensure you have a user-friendly website that represents your business in the best light possible.
Green housecleaning is a growing trend that looks to increase in the future. If you like the idea of starting your own housecleaning service, this may be a great option as you’ll have a tight, targeted market with plenty of disposable income. You’ll also feel great for helping others and the planet at the same time.
