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A Clean Sweep offers residential and commercial cleaning services
If the thought of spring cleaning just seems too overwhelming this year, with grimy windows and dusty shelves sending you out to pull dandelions instead, call Alicia Livingston to “take the stress out of your mess.”
5/25/11 (Wed)
Alicia Livingston of A Clean Sweep in Kenmare
By Caroline Downs
If the thought of spring cleaning just seems too overwhelming this year, with grimy windows and dusty shelves sending you out to pull dandelions instead, call Alicia Livingston to “take the stress out of your mess.”
Livingston, a Kenmare native who has owned and operated the Chill-N-Grill drive-in for the past six years, launched her new venture, A Clean Sweep, earlier this month to provide commercial and residential cleaning services.
She described her new venture as rewarding. “I know people work hard,” she said. “This way, they can come home at the end of a busy day, and they’re going to think, ‘This is one less thing I have to do today!’ This is a way of catching up on basic cleaning, when things get away from you.”
Livingston offers light office cleaning, basic housecleaning and regular home maintenance, deep cleaning or spring cleaning for homes, and assistance with home turnovers when moving. With reunions, weddings and other family gatherings in the plans for the summer, she stands prepared to help local residents prepare for special events.
“I’m starting with the basics and I’ll respond to what customers need,” she said.
Her rates follow suit. “They’ll be based on the extent of the cleaning involved, the size of the house or office, and at how often the customer is looking to have cleaning done,” Livingston said.
At this time, she has a collection of cleaning products she prefers to use. “I will provide everything, but if a customer has a request, I will honor that,” she said.
She is also planning to learn more about environmentally-friendly “green” products. “And if a family is concerned about that, that’s something I’ll be happy to discuss with them,” she said.
As a newcomer to the cleaning business, Livingston is not equipped to do any carpet cleaning or assist with cleanup after emergency situations, such as fires or flooding.
“Any biohazardous problems or extensive mold, I have to stay away from at this point,” Livingston said. She noted, however, that other businesses in the area can provide those services.
After making the decision to sell the Chill-N-Grill, Livingston said she was searching for a career that would fit her schedule and lifestyle. She already works some hours each week at the Quilt Inn as a receptionist, but several of her friends suggested she look into housecleaning.
“It sort of blossomed from there,” she said, adding that she gained some clients immediately. “And it’s nice to help people out.”
Livingston researched the business, reading everything from online blogs written by other housekeepers to cleaning product information. She intends to attend a national cleaning convention later in 2011. “It’s worth learning more about the industry,” she said, “and that’s where all the new products come out, too!”
Potential clients who want to know more about Livingston’s services are welcome to contact her for a consultation. “We’ll talk about what they need and do a walk-through,” she said, “and it’s free.”
She looks forward to expanding her business. “I like results, and it’s very satisfying to have immediate results with something like this,” she said, “especially when a customer calls and tell me everything looks so great and smells so clean. I like to provide that for someone else.”
Then she laughed and added, “Plus, I can listen to my music when I work, and I like that!”
Livingston is licensed, bonded and insured. She offers gift certificates for her services, too.
For more information about A Clean Sweep, contact Livingston at 701-217-0213 or by email at acleansweep01@gmail.com.