Not just a cleaning lady

Across the country, house cleaners and cleaning companies have created a movement to recognize their industry's importance. Through National House Cleaners Day on Sept. 17, this movement achieves fruition.

For Bethany Brown, the owner of Bethany's Professional Cleaning and Organizing Services, this celebration validates her efforts and their importance.

Brown, 37, started her business five years ago after working in the medical industry as a clinic administrator. When her direction changed in 2015, she decided she needed to do more for the community.

"For me, it's about giving back," Brown said. "I've always wanted to do it, and I've finally found my niche. A lot of my clients are either terminally ill or extremely busy, me being there alleviates their stress."

The American House Cleaners Association, which founded National House Cleaners Day in 2019, is dedicated to raising the respect, recognition, and awareness of house cleaners everywhere. Led by Kevin and Grace Reynolds from Walla Walla, Wash., the AHCA fights to end negative stigmas about the profession.

"Grace and Kevin came forward and said you're not just a cleaning person, you run a business with your heart," Brown said. "It totally changed how I've seen myself in this industry."

When COVID-19 hit Idaho earlier this year, some of Brown's clients stepped back from her services, but recently she's been in high demand.

"I had a couple of people back off the schedule that were scared because they were elderly or vulnerable, but all of a sudden, it's busy again," Brown said. "Typically, I book a year out, but I've gained probably 10 new clients in the last couple of months."

To keep her clients safe, Brown participated in an educational program through the AHCA that certified her in COVID-19 cleaning services.

"Just being able to do that, and learning how to disinfect and sanitize properly is important," Brown said. "I think that's where a lot of people are shocked that it is so easy."

The certification requires house cleaners to pass 10 quizzes and a final test, including different modules about disinfectants, cleaning methods, what COVID is, and how they can help prevent the spread.

"Some of my clients are just beyond themselves trying to learn the new normal," Brown said. "When every day is crazy, I come in and help lighten their load."

Brown has also had the opportunity to undergo education for Professional House Cleaners certification, an in-depth course on topics and sciences pertinent to cleaning services.

"It may be something people laugh at, but I don't think it is. A lot of people undermine this line of work," Brown said. "From making really good money in health care to doing this, people look at me differently. They ask me why, and it's because I want to give back. My passion is to help other people, and I am doing that."

Brown strives for trust and communication with her clients.

"People are inviting you into their home because they trust you, and it's up to you as a professional cleaner to make or break that," Brown said. "I've built relationships with my clients to the point where they are like family."

She attributes her success to the connections she's built with clients, receiving positive referrals and support.

"I want to build those relationships with people," Brown said.

Looking back, Brown said one of the difficult challenges she faced when starting her business was changing her mindset about the industry.

"I think people look down on us. We need to break that cycle," Brown said. "We need to make this holiday known and recognize that these people are on the front lines just like your doctors and nurses. We are risking our health, too, by going into your house every day."

The American House Cleaners Association has over 20,000 members. Through their #notjustacleaninglady project, the association created a social media message to increase awareness of their trade.

"People think we don't have any education, or we are doing this because they are a single parent or whatever it may be," Brown said. "A lot of us have college educations, a lot of us are married and have kids."

Brown believes that through the dismantling of social stereotypes and actions by the AHCA, the house cleaning and cleaning service industry will gain the respect it deserves.

"We work our tails off," she said. "We are setting that standard that we are, not that we are better than anybody else, but that we are just as good."