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The meteoric rise of UK ‘personal services’ fra...
The most recent 2024 Franchise Industry Survey[i], sponsored by NIC Local, revealed some very impressive results; none more so than the 53% growth in the ‘Personal Services’ sector. Pip Wilkins QFP, CEO of the BFA (British Franchise Association) digs deeper to find out what was behind such enormous growth. Info: Since 1977 we, The BFA (British Franchise Association), has been the UK’s trusted franchising network, providing accreditation, education, and expert guidance. Committed to ethical franchising, we help franchisors and franchisees to build sustainable businesses with integrity and confidence. Part of our job is to monitor the size and financial health of the sector, which we did recently with the 2024 Franchise Industry Survey, sponsored by NIC Services Group. The 2024 franchise industry survey Some of the standout statistics revealed in the survey, included: £19.1 billion contribution to the UK economy; £400,000 average turnover of a franchise unit and a less than 1% ‘commercial failure rate’, which compares very favourably to the stat that half of all new businesses, fail within the first three years[ii]. Personal services growth Those figures notwithstanding, there was one other statistic that surprised many people – that the ‘Personal Services’ sector grew by 53% from 2018 to 2024. This means a growth in the number of franchise systems or brands rather than of franchisees. To quote from the survey itself: “The Personal Services sector has witnessed an impressive 53% uplift, highlighting the increasing demand for services tailored to individual and family needs. This sector is incredibly diverse, encompassing everything from home care for the elderly to entertainment and tutoring for children, personal training, and pet services. This surge in personalised services confirms the evolving expectations of UK consumers, who increasingly value convenience, specialised attention, and high-quality care across various aspects of their lives.” Molly Maid One sector that comes under the ‘personal services’ banner is domestic cleaning. The domestic cleaning market in the UK is worth £8.5 billion, of which BFA members Molly Maid have a £26m+ market share and have seen their operation grow by 7-8% every year. Kanika Srivastava, the marketing manager at domestic cleaning franchise Molly Maid, sheds some light on the growth of the sector. Post brexit/Covid boom “Whilst many businesses suffered during Brexit and then Covid, ours boomed.” She explains: “the exit of European workers after Brexit meant a lack of traditional ‘cash in hand’ cleaners and homeowners were forced to seek out established providers like Molly Maid, to provide their regular domestic cleaning service.” This change from cash-in-hand to domestic cleaning service staff obviously meant an increase in cost; how did Molly Maid and their franchisees manage this with their clients? Ethical employment Kanika says: “There was certainly an educational aspect to that post Brexit time; we had to explain to our new clients that our cleaning staff are fully employed, benefitting from sick and holiday pay, and in turn, our fees are higher, but in return they are getting a professional and reliable service and the knowledge that they are working with an ethical company who pay their staff appropriately.” Valued service And presumably this strategy worked? “Absolutely and they’ve voted with their wallets by remaining with us too.” said Kanika. “Far from higher prices putting people off, we have had to raise our prices by 30% over the last few years to keep up with the National Living Wage, but our cancellation rate has gone down; which shows just how much our clients value our service.” Covid was the next big boom time for Molly Maid and their 73 franchisees. Infection busting products Kanika explains: “Suddenly cleanliness of homes was on everyone’s lips and people rushed to have their homes professionally cleaned. A big winner for us was the launch of our own cleaning products which included ‘Protect’, which kept a surface infection free for up to seven days after application. Clients liked knowing we were using outstanding products in their home to protect them and their families.” Free time is precious Looking at the wider success of the ‘Personal Services’ sector, Kanika shares this insight: “I think things have changed a lot over the past couple of years, particularly since Covid. Couples and families are generally happy to sacrifice a meal out a week, to not have to spend their precious free time cleaning their house, particularly in a home where both parents are working. Similarly, they are happy to spend money on children’s swimming or dance lessons and having their pets walked. Their time is very important to them and if they can pay for a service to enhance their lives, they will.” What does this mean from an investment point of view for franchisees? Opportunity for prospective franchisees “The results of the BFA survey confirmed something that everyone in the ‘Personal Services’ sector already knew; clients want our services and are willing to pay a premium for the very best, which means an excellent investment opportunity for potential franchisees. Naturally they should choose a franchise brand with an outstanding record for performance and support; we invest heavily in marketing for our franchisees and are proud to be the only domestic cleaning franchise in the top 10 of the Elite Franchise 100 and we regularly take part in the Work Buzz Franchise Satisfaction Survey, but the future really is looking rosy for anyone looking to invest in a personal services franchise and we are confident the next survey will confirm our thoughts that this growth period isn’t over yet.” Read more at The meteoric rise of UK ‘personal services’ franchise brands - Elite Franchise Magazine
The meteoric rise of UK ‘personal services’ fra...
The most recent 2024 Franchise Industry Survey[i], sponsored by NIC Local, revealed some very impressive results; none more so than the 53% growth in the ‘Personal Services’ sector. Pip Wilkins QFP, CEO of the BFA (British Franchise Association) digs deeper to find out what was behind such enormous growth. Info: Since 1977 we, The BFA (British Franchise Association), has been the UK’s trusted franchising network, providing accreditation, education, and expert guidance. Committed to ethical franchising, we help franchisors and franchisees to build sustainable businesses with integrity and confidence. Part of our job is to monitor the size and financial health of the sector, which we did recently with the 2024 Franchise Industry Survey, sponsored by NIC Services Group. The 2024 franchise industry survey Some of the standout statistics revealed in the survey, included: £19.1 billion contribution to the UK economy; £400,000 average turnover of a franchise unit and a less than 1% ‘commercial failure rate’, which compares very favourably to the stat that half of all new businesses, fail within the first three years[ii]. Personal services growth Those figures notwithstanding, there was one other statistic that surprised many people – that the ‘Personal Services’ sector grew by 53% from 2018 to 2024. This means a growth in the number of franchise systems or brands rather than of franchisees. To quote from the survey itself: “The Personal Services sector has witnessed an impressive 53% uplift, highlighting the increasing demand for services tailored to individual and family needs. This sector is incredibly diverse, encompassing everything from home care for the elderly to entertainment and tutoring for children, personal training, and pet services. This surge in personalised services confirms the evolving expectations of UK consumers, who increasingly value convenience, specialised attention, and high-quality care across various aspects of their lives.” Molly Maid One sector that comes under the ‘personal services’ banner is domestic cleaning. The domestic cleaning market in the UK is worth £8.5 billion, of which BFA members Molly Maid have a £26m+ market share and have seen their operation grow by 7-8% every year. Kanika Srivastava, the marketing manager at domestic cleaning franchise Molly Maid, sheds some light on the growth of the sector. Post brexit/Covid boom “Whilst many businesses suffered during Brexit and then Covid, ours boomed.” She explains: “the exit of European workers after Brexit meant a lack of traditional ‘cash in hand’ cleaners and homeowners were forced to seek out established providers like Molly Maid, to provide their regular domestic cleaning service.” This change from cash-in-hand to domestic cleaning service staff obviously meant an increase in cost; how did Molly Maid and their franchisees manage this with their clients? Ethical employment Kanika says: “There was certainly an educational aspect to that post Brexit time; we had to explain to our new clients that our cleaning staff are fully employed, benefitting from sick and holiday pay, and in turn, our fees are higher, but in return they are getting a professional and reliable service and the knowledge that they are working with an ethical company who pay their staff appropriately.” Valued service And presumably this strategy worked? “Absolutely and they’ve voted with their wallets by remaining with us too.” said Kanika. “Far from higher prices putting people off, we have had to raise our prices by 30% over the last few years to keep up with the National Living Wage, but our cancellation rate has gone down; which shows just how much our clients value our service.” Covid was the next big boom time for Molly Maid and their 73 franchisees. Infection busting products Kanika explains: “Suddenly cleanliness of homes was on everyone’s lips and people rushed to have their homes professionally cleaned. A big winner for us was the launch of our own cleaning products which included ‘Protect’, which kept a surface infection free for up to seven days after application. Clients liked knowing we were using outstanding products in their home to protect them and their families.” Free time is precious Looking at the wider success of the ‘Personal Services’ sector, Kanika shares this insight: “I think things have changed a lot over the past couple of years, particularly since Covid. Couples and families are generally happy to sacrifice a meal out a week, to not have to spend their precious free time cleaning their house, particularly in a home where both parents are working. Similarly, they are happy to spend money on children’s swimming or dance lessons and having their pets walked. Their time is very important to them and if they can pay for a service to enhance their lives, they will.” What does this mean from an investment point of view for franchisees? Opportunity for prospective franchisees “The results of the BFA survey confirmed something that everyone in the ‘Personal Services’ sector already knew; clients want our services and are willing to pay a premium for the very best, which means an excellent investment opportunity for potential franchisees. Naturally they should choose a franchise brand with an outstanding record for performance and support; we invest heavily in marketing for our franchisees and are proud to be the only domestic cleaning franchise in the top 10 of the Elite Franchise 100 and we regularly take part in the Work Buzz Franchise Satisfaction Survey, but the future really is looking rosy for anyone looking to invest in a personal services franchise and we are confident the next survey will confirm our thoughts that this growth period isn’t over yet.” Read more at The meteoric rise of UK ‘personal services’ franchise brands - Elite Franchise Magazine
Evolving business model to support franchisees
In 2024 Molly Maid celebrated its 40th anniversary in business in the United Kingdom! A constant focus on building the brand and helping franchisees to build successful businesses, has made them a fixture as the leading domestic cleaning franchise in the annual Elite 100 Franchise rankings. The company has also recently earned its 5th straight 5-Star Franchisee Satisfaction award from Work-Buzz, an accolade that shows they continue to develop their proven business systems and processes. Case in point is their recent launch of their own branded, eco-friendly cleaning products, through their new on-line shop. Kanika Srivastava, Marketing Manager, says that the shop is the first of its kind not only in the UK but in the world. “There is no other franchise brand in the domestic cleaning industry that has entered the retail cleaning product and tools market and built on the value of their brand like we have.” Though Srivastava is excited to make the products used by their franchisees available to the millions of homeowners who want to do their part for the environment and clean in a safer and more sustainable way, she is arguably even more excited about how the initiative will help to make the Molly Maid business and business model even more successful for franchisees. “One of the most important considerations in our retail strategy was how this could add value to our franchisees businesses.” A focus on improving their business model and providing franchisees with more and better tools to attract new customers and staff has been a key factor that has helped them to continue to set new records in annual turnover. Srivastava says that for franchisors wanting to achieve higher levels of success there must be a relentless focus on improving the business model at the franchisee level. It’s this focus that brought about their Government recognised HomeSafe cleaning processes and branding coming out of COVID, their Best Employer in Homecleaning branding to attract new staff and their ‘booster’ advertising programme which saw them pay for increased paid search budgets for all franchisees. “Innovation at Molly Maid starts with us asking, how can we improve the business model for franchisees.” Back to their new on-line retail shop, selling the same eco-friendly products and tools used by their franchisees and how Molly Maid is aiming to make their award-winning business model even better for franchisees. A percentage of all sales through the shop will be earmarked for franchisees to use for their own local advertising activities – things like increasing their paid search budget for new customers or leaflet delivery. Srivastava says that this will provide a growing pool of funds to fuel even stronger sales growth for franchisees. They are also aiming to completely eliminate the cost of the eco-friendly cleaning products their franchisees use (the same products of course that are sold through their new shop) which will increase franchisee profit. Finally, many of their existing maid service customers have already indicated their desire to purchase the products and when they do, franchisees will receive a percentage of these sales. The on-line, eco-friendly cleaning product market is expected to almost double in the next few years as more homeowners switch to products that are safer to clean with and better for the environment, which is one of the reasons why Molly Maid decided to launch this initiative now. “More and more homeowners want to clean their home using non-toxic cleaners which is safer for themselves and better for the environment. They want to do their part for the environment but also want to know that the cleaning products they are using work. Efficacy is hugely important,” says Srivastava. “There is no eco-friendly cleaning product on the market right now that has as much ‘cleaning’ credibility as one that is used by our cleaners in hundreds of thousands of cleans each year. Homeowners purchasing these products can have the confidence to know that they are better for the environment and work.” Molly Maid have been putting the finishing touches on an aggressive social media campaign that will start ahead of the official nation-wide launch of the products in early November and plans are underway that will also utilise more traditional print-based media. All of this advertising will of course help to increase the awareness of their instantly recognisable brand something that Srivastava says will also help franchisees. “Any marketer will tell you that the best way to attract more customers is to invest more in advertising and with the advertising we are doing for our new retail shop, we are going to be reaching a completely new audience which is going to have a big impact on our brand.” It’s no surprise that their approach to improving the business model for franchisees has helped Molly Maid become the undisputed leader in the franchised homecleaning sector and take advantage of an industry that has more than doubled since COVID. YouGov research estimates that the UK’s home cleaning industry is valued at over £8 billion annually. It all adds up to a company that knows if you focus on improving the business at the franchise level, success follow. Read more on our article with the Elite Franchise here
Evolving business model to support franchisees
In 2024 Molly Maid celebrated its 40th anniversary in business in the United Kingdom! A constant focus on building the brand and helping franchisees to build successful businesses, has made them a fixture as the leading domestic cleaning franchise in the annual Elite 100 Franchise rankings. The company has also recently earned its 5th straight 5-Star Franchisee Satisfaction award from Work-Buzz, an accolade that shows they continue to develop their proven business systems and processes. Case in point is their recent launch of their own branded, eco-friendly cleaning products, through their new on-line shop. Kanika Srivastava, Marketing Manager, says that the shop is the first of its kind not only in the UK but in the world. “There is no other franchise brand in the domestic cleaning industry that has entered the retail cleaning product and tools market and built on the value of their brand like we have.” Though Srivastava is excited to make the products used by their franchisees available to the millions of homeowners who want to do their part for the environment and clean in a safer and more sustainable way, she is arguably even more excited about how the initiative will help to make the Molly Maid business and business model even more successful for franchisees. “One of the most important considerations in our retail strategy was how this could add value to our franchisees businesses.” A focus on improving their business model and providing franchisees with more and better tools to attract new customers and staff has been a key factor that has helped them to continue to set new records in annual turnover. Srivastava says that for franchisors wanting to achieve higher levels of success there must be a relentless focus on improving the business model at the franchisee level. It’s this focus that brought about their Government recognised HomeSafe cleaning processes and branding coming out of COVID, their Best Employer in Homecleaning branding to attract new staff and their ‘booster’ advertising programme which saw them pay for increased paid search budgets for all franchisees. “Innovation at Molly Maid starts with us asking, how can we improve the business model for franchisees.” Back to their new on-line retail shop, selling the same eco-friendly products and tools used by their franchisees and how Molly Maid is aiming to make their award-winning business model even better for franchisees. A percentage of all sales through the shop will be earmarked for franchisees to use for their own local advertising activities – things like increasing their paid search budget for new customers or leaflet delivery. Srivastava says that this will provide a growing pool of funds to fuel even stronger sales growth for franchisees. They are also aiming to completely eliminate the cost of the eco-friendly cleaning products their franchisees use (the same products of course that are sold through their new shop) which will increase franchisee profit. Finally, many of their existing maid service customers have already indicated their desire to purchase the products and when they do, franchisees will receive a percentage of these sales. The on-line, eco-friendly cleaning product market is expected to almost double in the next few years as more homeowners switch to products that are safer to clean with and better for the environment, which is one of the reasons why Molly Maid decided to launch this initiative now. “More and more homeowners want to clean their home using non-toxic cleaners which is safer for themselves and better for the environment. They want to do their part for the environment but also want to know that the cleaning products they are using work. Efficacy is hugely important,” says Srivastava. “There is no eco-friendly cleaning product on the market right now that has as much ‘cleaning’ credibility as one that is used by our cleaners in hundreds of thousands of cleans each year. Homeowners purchasing these products can have the confidence to know that they are better for the environment and work.” Molly Maid have been putting the finishing touches on an aggressive social media campaign that will start ahead of the official nation-wide launch of the products in early November and plans are underway that will also utilise more traditional print-based media. All of this advertising will of course help to increase the awareness of their instantly recognisable brand something that Srivastava says will also help franchisees. “Any marketer will tell you that the best way to attract more customers is to invest more in advertising and with the advertising we are doing for our new retail shop, we are going to be reaching a completely new audience which is going to have a big impact on our brand.” It’s no surprise that their approach to improving the business model for franchisees has helped Molly Maid become the undisputed leader in the franchised homecleaning sector and take advantage of an industry that has more than doubled since COVID. YouGov research estimates that the UK’s home cleaning industry is valued at over £8 billion annually. It all adds up to a company that knows if you focus on improving the business at the franchise level, success follow. Read more on our article with the Elite Franchise here
Molly Maid’s eco friendly expansion
Molly Maid, a trusted name in home cleaning for over 40 years, is expanding its expertise into eco-friendly cleaning products. Motivated by customer demand and a commitment to sustainability, the company is now offering a line of cleaning products designed for personal use. With a focus on safe, effective, and environmentally conscious solutions, these products reflect Molly Maid’s dedication to both customer care and the planet. This exciting move into retail aims to fill a gap in the market by providing professionally endorsed, non-toxic products that homeowners can rely on. What motivated Molly Maid to offer cleaning products directly to customers, and what gaps in the market are you trying to address? We switched to safer cleaning products years ago – safer for the environment and our teams of cleaners – and since COVID, many of our customers had been asking us if they could purchase them, and especially the anti-bacterial sanitiser. There is no ‘professionally’ endorsed, eco-friendly products in the market and certainly not ones that have gone through as much rigorous usage as the ones that we use. The eco-friendly market is also expected to double in the next few years and the combination of our brand recognition and what we stand for as professional cleaners, provided what we think is the perfect opportunity to launch our products on-line. It also fits with our vision to help homeowners clean in the safest, most effective and sustainable way possible – whether it is through our cleaning services or the products we use to clean with. Can you give us an overview of the range of products available and their intended uses? Our initial launch consists of the four products that we use in almost every clean that we do; All-Purpose Surface Cleaner Antibacterial Surface Cleaner Limescale Remover Kitchen & bathroom Degreaser These are sold in small bottles of concentrate to allow customers to dilute them into refillable, recyclable plastic bottles, which is the most sustainable way to purchase cleaning products. We have also included microfibre cloths as part of the cleaning kit, which is another way to clean more sustainably. What factors were considered in the development process to ensure the products meet diverse customer needs? Effectiveness and safety are probably the two most important elements of any product that we use. When I say safe, I mean safe for those using it to clean with and safe for the environment. Take our limescale remover for instance. Limescale products are sometimes the most harmful and toxic, but ours are non-toxic and can be used without any protective equipment. We also want to make it more convenient for homeowners which is why our products are being sold through a subscription model with automatic refills shipped every 3-months or based on the schedule individual customer needs. How do these products align with current trends in eco-friendly or non-toxic cleaning solutions? Recycling, no single use of plastic, zero waste, biodegradable and sustainable packaging all contribute to a more sustainable way of not only cleaning but living, and we’ve been cleaning like this for years. The cleaning products are also manufactured right here in the UK, 100% British, which helps to lower our overall carbon footprint. Finally, all of our cleaning kits feature biodegradable packaging which also helps to reduce waste and support sustainable disposal practices. In what ways will customers benefit from having access to Molly Maid products for their personal use? Consumers benefit from the experience we have gained for over 40 years and cleaning millions of homes with these products. We are sharing with families not only the products that we use to clean with but the cleaning processes we follow to help them clean their own home in the safest, most effective and sustainable way possible (our vision). Going forward we will be adding more cleaning products and tools and expanding the ‘how to’ videos on our website and social media channels to continue to help families clean more effectively. All of our products have a QR code that customers can scan to get instant information on the product and how to use it. What are the various ways customers can purchase these products, and how has the initial response been? All of our products can be purchased on-line through our newly created shop, www. mollymaidshop.com. We have only just recently launched the shop and have just given our existing maid service customers the opportunity to purchase the products. The response has been great with many customers saying, finally I can purchase them! Our full nation wide launch is targeted for the beginning of November and we’ve got some exciting social media plans to go with the launch of the first and only professional line of environmentally friendly products available in the UK. How do these new offerings reflect Molly Maid’s commitment to quality and customer care? Molly Maid can now be a one stop solution for a family wanting to clean in the safest, most effective and sustainable way possible. If they don’t have the time to clean their own home we can of course do this for them (it’s what we are known for), and with these products, they can also now clean their home in exactly the same way as our cleaners do. Beyond that, we believe that you have to do your part for the environment and our part is obviously centred on house cleaning and helping to clean in a safer and more sustainable way. Are there any specific customer requests or demands that influenced the decision to launch these products? Our brand has been built on trust which is why throughout COVID many of our customers approached us to purchase the products we use to clean their home with. They trusted that if we were using the products then they must work well. It was this trust that customers had in us and what we do that ultimately encouraged us to find the best way to help them to do this. How does Molly Maid approach transparency in terms of product ingredients, sourcing, and testing? We have gone through an extensive compliance process including independent lab tests for every product to back up our eco-friendly claims. All of the ingredients are listed on the labels on the back of the reusable bottles as well as how to and where to use the products. What’s the company’s long term vision regarding customer feedback and product improvements? We are following a similar philosophy as we do with our cleaning service – regularly check in with the customer to make sure they are happy. It has helped us to become the largest and most successful cleaning service in the UK. Our professional cleaning products aren’t any different and as part of the purchase process we have set up a comprehensive communication system to not only help us improve the products and purchase process but also to help customers in using the products. We aim to be a different cleaning product retailer by leveraging our 40 years of housecleaning experience to help customers clean their own home in, and it goes back to our mission, to clean in the safest, most effective and sustainable way possible.
Molly Maid’s eco friendly expansion
Molly Maid, a trusted name in home cleaning for over 40 years, is expanding its expertise into eco-friendly cleaning products. Motivated by customer demand and a commitment to sustainability, the company is now offering a line of cleaning products designed for personal use. With a focus on safe, effective, and environmentally conscious solutions, these products reflect Molly Maid’s dedication to both customer care and the planet. This exciting move into retail aims to fill a gap in the market by providing professionally endorsed, non-toxic products that homeowners can rely on. What motivated Molly Maid to offer cleaning products directly to customers, and what gaps in the market are you trying to address? We switched to safer cleaning products years ago – safer for the environment and our teams of cleaners – and since COVID, many of our customers had been asking us if they could purchase them, and especially the anti-bacterial sanitiser. There is no ‘professionally’ endorsed, eco-friendly products in the market and certainly not ones that have gone through as much rigorous usage as the ones that we use. The eco-friendly market is also expected to double in the next few years and the combination of our brand recognition and what we stand for as professional cleaners, provided what we think is the perfect opportunity to launch our products on-line. It also fits with our vision to help homeowners clean in the safest, most effective and sustainable way possible – whether it is through our cleaning services or the products we use to clean with. Can you give us an overview of the range of products available and their intended uses? Our initial launch consists of the four products that we use in almost every clean that we do; All-Purpose Surface Cleaner Antibacterial Surface Cleaner Limescale Remover Kitchen & bathroom Degreaser These are sold in small bottles of concentrate to allow customers to dilute them into refillable, recyclable plastic bottles, which is the most sustainable way to purchase cleaning products. We have also included microfibre cloths as part of the cleaning kit, which is another way to clean more sustainably. What factors were considered in the development process to ensure the products meet diverse customer needs? Effectiveness and safety are probably the two most important elements of any product that we use. When I say safe, I mean safe for those using it to clean with and safe for the environment. Take our limescale remover for instance. Limescale products are sometimes the most harmful and toxic, but ours are non-toxic and can be used without any protective equipment. We also want to make it more convenient for homeowners which is why our products are being sold through a subscription model with automatic refills shipped every 3-months or based on the schedule individual customer needs. How do these products align with current trends in eco-friendly or non-toxic cleaning solutions? Recycling, no single use of plastic, zero waste, biodegradable and sustainable packaging all contribute to a more sustainable way of not only cleaning but living, and we’ve been cleaning like this for years. The cleaning products are also manufactured right here in the UK, 100% British, which helps to lower our overall carbon footprint. Finally, all of our cleaning kits feature biodegradable packaging which also helps to reduce waste and support sustainable disposal practices. In what ways will customers benefit from having access to Molly Maid products for their personal use? Consumers benefit from the experience we have gained for over 40 years and cleaning millions of homes with these products. We are sharing with families not only the products that we use to clean with but the cleaning processes we follow to help them clean their own home in the safest, most effective and sustainable way possible (our vision). Going forward we will be adding more cleaning products and tools and expanding the ‘how to’ videos on our website and social media channels to continue to help families clean more effectively. All of our products have a QR code that customers can scan to get instant information on the product and how to use it. What are the various ways customers can purchase these products, and how has the initial response been? All of our products can be purchased on-line through our newly created shop, www. mollymaidshop.com. We have only just recently launched the shop and have just given our existing maid service customers the opportunity to purchase the products. The response has been great with many customers saying, finally I can purchase them! Our full nation wide launch is targeted for the beginning of November and we’ve got some exciting social media plans to go with the launch of the first and only professional line of environmentally friendly products available in the UK. How do these new offerings reflect Molly Maid’s commitment to quality and customer care? Molly Maid can now be a one stop solution for a family wanting to clean in the safest, most effective and sustainable way possible. If they don’t have the time to clean their own home we can of course do this for them (it’s what we are known for), and with these products, they can also now clean their home in exactly the same way as our cleaners do. Beyond that, we believe that you have to do your part for the environment and our part is obviously centred on house cleaning and helping to clean in a safer and more sustainable way. Are there any specific customer requests or demands that influenced the decision to launch these products? Our brand has been built on trust which is why throughout COVID many of our customers approached us to purchase the products we use to clean their home with. They trusted that if we were using the products then they must work well. It was this trust that customers had in us and what we do that ultimately encouraged us to find the best way to help them to do this. How does Molly Maid approach transparency in terms of product ingredients, sourcing, and testing? We have gone through an extensive compliance process including independent lab tests for every product to back up our eco-friendly claims. All of the ingredients are listed on the labels on the back of the reusable bottles as well as how to and where to use the products. What’s the company’s long term vision regarding customer feedback and product improvements? We are following a similar philosophy as we do with our cleaning service – regularly check in with the customer to make sure they are happy. It has helped us to become the largest and most successful cleaning service in the UK. Our professional cleaning products aren’t any different and as part of the purchase process we have set up a comprehensive communication system to not only help us improve the products and purchase process but also to help customers in using the products. We aim to be a different cleaning product retailer by leveraging our 40 years of housecleaning experience to help customers clean their own home in, and it goes back to our mission, to clean in the safest, most effective and sustainable way possible.
Government ‘endorsement’ for Molly Maid
Home cleaning franchisor overjoyed with ‘amazing’ PR coup. Molly Maid were thrilled to discover they had been praised by the Government, over the way they had dealt with business during the on-going Coronavirus pandemic. Although Molly Maid had no choice but to temporarily stop trading following the Government’s decision to enforce a lockdown in March, the company – which specialises in home cleaning services – have since shown their flexibility by changing the working habits of their UK employees. And this was illustrated on the Government’s own website where the Department for Business used Molly Maid as a case study, highlighting how the company had changed its working practices in order to comply with lockdown rules and so begin trading again.In the feature, Molly Maid’s president and CEO Kevin Hipkins explains how the company have tackled the difficulties of Coronavirus head-on, and says: “By the end of June we project we will have around 75% of our staff back on a full-time basis.” Aaron Watson, Molly Maid’s director of business development in the UK, explained: “This is amazing PR, with the Government’s Department of Business undertaking a case study on how we have adapted our systems which has enabled us to resume service.” Founded in Canada more than 40 years ago, Molly Maid is one of the world’s largest home cleaning services, employing more than one thousand people in the UK, across 72 franchises. CEO Kevin Hipkins added: “A comprehensive manual has been developed which staff need to become familiar with before returning to work.”Among the changes adopted by the company, and illustrated in the feature on www.gov.uk, are: 1) Molly Maid employees must travel to a customer’s home wearing face masks, with no more than two people in the same vehicle, and sitting as far apart as possible – one in the back, one in the front, and on either side of the car too. Windows must be left open for ventilation. The company says the same two employees should travel together for as many journeys as possible, rather than continually interchanging with other members of staff. 2) Every day, before start of work, all maids must contact head office to confirm they are free of Covid-19 symptoms. If not, they must remain at home. 3) Franchise owners and maids must contact customers to confirm their clients’ households are free of symptoms, and that no one in the home has come into contact with anyone presenting symptoms. Otherwise, a new date is arranged. 4) Once in the home of a customer, and before starting work, staff must first wash or sanitise their hands in the kitchen using a specialist anti-microbial cleaner. 5) Maids must reinforce the message to customers that the two-metre social distancing requirement is in existence. This is confirmed in a phone call which notifies the customer of the maid’s expected arrival time. 6) Customers must depart their home for the duration of the work or remain in a room which is not being cleaned. Maids and customers must not come into contact with each other. Read more on our effective procedures we put in place during Covid to keep our customers and staff safe.
Government ‘endorsement’ for Molly Maid
Home cleaning franchisor overjoyed with ‘amazing’ PR coup. Molly Maid were thrilled to discover they had been praised by the Government, over the way they had dealt with business during the on-going Coronavirus pandemic. Although Molly Maid had no choice but to temporarily stop trading following the Government’s decision to enforce a lockdown in March, the company – which specialises in home cleaning services – have since shown their flexibility by changing the working habits of their UK employees. And this was illustrated on the Government’s own website where the Department for Business used Molly Maid as a case study, highlighting how the company had changed its working practices in order to comply with lockdown rules and so begin trading again.In the feature, Molly Maid’s president and CEO Kevin Hipkins explains how the company have tackled the difficulties of Coronavirus head-on, and says: “By the end of June we project we will have around 75% of our staff back on a full-time basis.” Aaron Watson, Molly Maid’s director of business development in the UK, explained: “This is amazing PR, with the Government’s Department of Business undertaking a case study on how we have adapted our systems which has enabled us to resume service.” Founded in Canada more than 40 years ago, Molly Maid is one of the world’s largest home cleaning services, employing more than one thousand people in the UK, across 72 franchises. CEO Kevin Hipkins added: “A comprehensive manual has been developed which staff need to become familiar with before returning to work.”Among the changes adopted by the company, and illustrated in the feature on www.gov.uk, are: 1) Molly Maid employees must travel to a customer’s home wearing face masks, with no more than two people in the same vehicle, and sitting as far apart as possible – one in the back, one in the front, and on either side of the car too. Windows must be left open for ventilation. The company says the same two employees should travel together for as many journeys as possible, rather than continually interchanging with other members of staff. 2) Every day, before start of work, all maids must contact head office to confirm they are free of Covid-19 symptoms. If not, they must remain at home. 3) Franchise owners and maids must contact customers to confirm their clients’ households are free of symptoms, and that no one in the home has come into contact with anyone presenting symptoms. Otherwise, a new date is arranged. 4) Once in the home of a customer, and before starting work, staff must first wash or sanitise their hands in the kitchen using a specialist anti-microbial cleaner. 5) Maids must reinforce the message to customers that the two-metre social distancing requirement is in existence. This is confirmed in a phone call which notifies the customer of the maid’s expected arrival time. 6) Customers must depart their home for the duration of the work or remain in a room which is not being cleaned. Maids and customers must not come into contact with each other. Read more on our effective procedures we put in place during Covid to keep our customers and staff safe.
Molly Maid: Robust procedures help cleaning bus...
Molly Maid is one of the world’s largest professional home cleaning services and employs 1,000 people in the UK through 72 franchises. Kevin Hipkins, President and CEO, tell us about the steps franchisees and their staff have put in place to keep them and their customers safe. “Having had to halt all our operations, by the end of June we project we will have around 75% of our staff back on a full-time basis.Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our staff and customers. We’ve designed a number of procedures and trademarked these as HomeSafe. These procedures are based on our years of experience and following guidance from the government.” These measures include: Staff driving in teams of two to a customer’s home wear face masks, sit on opposite sides of the car (one in the front and one in the back), leave the windows open for good ventilation and almost always travel with the same person. Daily health check – before the start of each workday, maids communicate with their franchise owner to ensure they are symptom-free. If they are not symptom-free, they cannot work – this is zero tolerance policy. Before a customer’s scheduled clean, franchise owners and maids contact the customer to confirm their entire household is symptom free and they have not come into contact with anyone presenting symptoms. This is a zero tolerance policy. If they have symptoms, their clean is rearranged. Prior to entering a customer’s home, maids call customers to notify them of their arrival time and discuss how the 2m social distancing requirement is met. The options provided are: Leaving their home for the duration of the clean so our staff do not come into contact with them. Stay in one room that will not be cleaned. Once in the home, staff are directed to immediately proceed to the kitchen to wash or sanitise their hands with our specialist anti-microbial cleaners. They are also provided with protective equipment if needed: facemasks, gloves and shoe covers. However, PPE is not required when cleaning a home where the person providing the service is symptom free and the homeowner is symptom free. “A comprehensive manual has been developed that cleaning staff have taken time to become familiar with before they return to work,” Kevin added.“This manual also includes practices that a Franchise Owner must follow in the operation of their business.”Article on Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy can be viewed here
Molly Maid: Robust procedures help cleaning bus...
Molly Maid is one of the world’s largest professional home cleaning services and employs 1,000 people in the UK through 72 franchises. Kevin Hipkins, President and CEO, tell us about the steps franchisees and their staff have put in place to keep them and their customers safe. “Having had to halt all our operations, by the end of June we project we will have around 75% of our staff back on a full-time basis.Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our staff and customers. We’ve designed a number of procedures and trademarked these as HomeSafe. These procedures are based on our years of experience and following guidance from the government.” These measures include: Staff driving in teams of two to a customer’s home wear face masks, sit on opposite sides of the car (one in the front and one in the back), leave the windows open for good ventilation and almost always travel with the same person. Daily health check – before the start of each workday, maids communicate with their franchise owner to ensure they are symptom-free. If they are not symptom-free, they cannot work – this is zero tolerance policy. Before a customer’s scheduled clean, franchise owners and maids contact the customer to confirm their entire household is symptom free and they have not come into contact with anyone presenting symptoms. This is a zero tolerance policy. If they have symptoms, their clean is rearranged. Prior to entering a customer’s home, maids call customers to notify them of their arrival time and discuss how the 2m social distancing requirement is met. The options provided are: Leaving their home for the duration of the clean so our staff do not come into contact with them. Stay in one room that will not be cleaned. Once in the home, staff are directed to immediately proceed to the kitchen to wash or sanitise their hands with our specialist anti-microbial cleaners. They are also provided with protective equipment if needed: facemasks, gloves and shoe covers. However, PPE is not required when cleaning a home where the person providing the service is symptom free and the homeowner is symptom free. “A comprehensive manual has been developed that cleaning staff have taken time to become familiar with before they return to work,” Kevin added.“This manual also includes practices that a Franchise Owner must follow in the operation of their business.”Article on Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy can be viewed here
How to clean your home during the coronavirus p...
Cleaning expert shares the steps everyone can take to keep their home sparkling She recommended always cleaning before sanitising a surface or countertop Added that sponges should go in the dishwasher and kettles should be cleaned Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor? With health at the forefront of our minds amid the coronavirus pandemic, many of us are thinking about how we can keep our homes as clean and germ-free as possible. Cleaning expert Sandra Redmond, of British company Molly Maid cleaners, revealed the steps everyone can take to keep their homes sparkling, especially with many spending more time inside. Her tips include scrubbing countertops with soapy water before spraying with any product, and wiping down lesser-cleaned areas like the kettle handle and coffee pot every day. Here, Molly shares her tips with FEMAIL… ‘Don’t just sanitise – clean first then sanitise. We can be tempted to run through our house with disinfectant wipes or spray in hand and using them on all surfaces. ‘But it’s better to first clean the area with a soapy sponge and/or cloth and then apply any disinfectant. How often should you clean? Though it is recommended that surfaces that are being frequently touched by hands, yours and others, such as light switches, door handles (your outside door handle especially) are sanitised daily, you may not have sufficient time to do this. Considering doing these every other day but use a sanitiser or warm soapy water. Appliances such as the kettle and coffee machine, don’t get as much use so once a week may be sufficient. Again, consider using a sanitiser or warm soapy water. Remember to unplug any small appliance before cleaning it. In terms of what to clean, anything that you are putting your hands on, should be cleaned. A good rule of thumb is to thoroughly wash your hands when you get home before you touch anything. This is when you are likely to be spreading unwanted germs. ‘Also, leave the disinfectant untouched on surfaces for around 30 seconds before wiping. ‘In normal times you would want to clean and sanitise every few days, but these are anything but normal times. ‘Clean and sanitise kitchen counter-tops daily. ‘The reality is that these are used daily, so you should consider cleaning and sanitising them daily. DON’T FORGET CUPBOARDS AND KETTLES ‘Remember to clean commonly touched areas. ‘While large surfaces like kitchen counter tops get the most attention, don’t forget to clean and disinfect those areas we frequently touch such as the kettle, coffee machine, door and window handles, makeup packages, remote controls and possibly the most forgotten area in the kitchen – cupboard and appliance handles. ‘Though it is recommended that surfaces that are being frequently touched by hands, yours and others, such as light switches, door handles (your outside door handle especially) are sanitised daily, you may not have sufficient time to do this. ‘Considering doing these every other day but use a sanitiser or warm soapy water.’ PUT YOUR SPONGES IN THE DISHWASHER ‘The very things you use to clean other things is often teeming with germs itself. The Global Hygiene Council found that an average of 19.6 billion bacteria live in the kitchen sponges in British homes. ‘You might not want to think about that too much! The good news is that it’s easy to send those 19.6 billion bacteria on their merry way. Wash your hands as you clean ‘Regularly wash your hands. Get into a regular practice of washing your hands when you return home and before you touch anything else.’ ‘How to clean: Just pop the sponge into the dishwasher or washing machine, or give it a scrub with hot soapy water yourself. ‘You could also put it in the microwave on high for a minute or two – and while you’re at it, put any other sponges or cloths you regularly use such as bathroom sponges. ‘Another tip is to use microfibre cloths because these are easily laundered and very quickly. RUN YOUR WASHING MACHINE – WITH NOTHING IN IT ‘To prevent the spread of germs, all underwear, towels and household linen should be washed at 60C or at 40C with a bleach-based, or bio, laundry product. ‘It’s also a good idea to run the washing machine on empty once a week, either at a high temperature or with a chemical disinfectant to prevent the growth of germs and try not to leave wet washing in the machine as this will only serve to encourage the growth of germs.’
How to clean your home during the coronavirus p...
Cleaning expert shares the steps everyone can take to keep their home sparkling She recommended always cleaning before sanitising a surface or countertop Added that sponges should go in the dishwasher and kettles should be cleaned Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor? With health at the forefront of our minds amid the coronavirus pandemic, many of us are thinking about how we can keep our homes as clean and germ-free as possible. Cleaning expert Sandra Redmond, of British company Molly Maid cleaners, revealed the steps everyone can take to keep their homes sparkling, especially with many spending more time inside. Her tips include scrubbing countertops with soapy water before spraying with any product, and wiping down lesser-cleaned areas like the kettle handle and coffee pot every day. Here, Molly shares her tips with FEMAIL… ‘Don’t just sanitise – clean first then sanitise. We can be tempted to run through our house with disinfectant wipes or spray in hand and using them on all surfaces. ‘But it’s better to first clean the area with a soapy sponge and/or cloth and then apply any disinfectant. How often should you clean? Though it is recommended that surfaces that are being frequently touched by hands, yours and others, such as light switches, door handles (your outside door handle especially) are sanitised daily, you may not have sufficient time to do this. Considering doing these every other day but use a sanitiser or warm soapy water. Appliances such as the kettle and coffee machine, don’t get as much use so once a week may be sufficient. Again, consider using a sanitiser or warm soapy water. Remember to unplug any small appliance before cleaning it. In terms of what to clean, anything that you are putting your hands on, should be cleaned. A good rule of thumb is to thoroughly wash your hands when you get home before you touch anything. This is when you are likely to be spreading unwanted germs. ‘Also, leave the disinfectant untouched on surfaces for around 30 seconds before wiping. ‘In normal times you would want to clean and sanitise every few days, but these are anything but normal times. ‘Clean and sanitise kitchen counter-tops daily. ‘The reality is that these are used daily, so you should consider cleaning and sanitising them daily. DON’T FORGET CUPBOARDS AND KETTLES ‘Remember to clean commonly touched areas. ‘While large surfaces like kitchen counter tops get the most attention, don’t forget to clean and disinfect those areas we frequently touch such as the kettle, coffee machine, door and window handles, makeup packages, remote controls and possibly the most forgotten area in the kitchen – cupboard and appliance handles. ‘Though it is recommended that surfaces that are being frequently touched by hands, yours and others, such as light switches, door handles (your outside door handle especially) are sanitised daily, you may not have sufficient time to do this. ‘Considering doing these every other day but use a sanitiser or warm soapy water.’ PUT YOUR SPONGES IN THE DISHWASHER ‘The very things you use to clean other things is often teeming with germs itself. The Global Hygiene Council found that an average of 19.6 billion bacteria live in the kitchen sponges in British homes. ‘You might not want to think about that too much! The good news is that it’s easy to send those 19.6 billion bacteria on their merry way. Wash your hands as you clean ‘Regularly wash your hands. Get into a regular practice of washing your hands when you return home and before you touch anything else.’ ‘How to clean: Just pop the sponge into the dishwasher or washing machine, or give it a scrub with hot soapy water yourself. ‘You could also put it in the microwave on high for a minute or two – and while you’re at it, put any other sponges or cloths you regularly use such as bathroom sponges. ‘Another tip is to use microfibre cloths because these are easily laundered and very quickly. RUN YOUR WASHING MACHINE – WITH NOTHING IN IT ‘To prevent the spread of germs, all underwear, towels and household linen should be washed at 60C or at 40C with a bleach-based, or bio, laundry product. ‘It’s also a good idea to run the washing machine on empty once a week, either at a high temperature or with a chemical disinfectant to prevent the growth of germs and try not to leave wet washing in the machine as this will only serve to encourage the growth of germs.’