The Cleaning Industry’s Digital Transformation: Insights from Innovator Bita Safari
The cleaning industry is undergoing a profound shift as consumer preferences increasingly lean toward digital convenience. With the U.S. cleaning services market reaching $97 billion last year, traditional models are being disrupted by technology-driven platforms. Bita Safari, a pioneering figure in the industry and founder of an on-demand cleaning platform, shares her insights on how mobile technology is reshaping customer expectations, improving cleaner compensation, and delivering more efficient, safer services.
Putting Safety First
For many, the biggest concern about hiring cleaning services is allowing strangers into their homes. Safari understands this deeply and has prioritized safety in her platform’s design.
“Cleaners need to go through a process before gaining access to jobs,” she explains. “We collect personal information, IDs, and they’re required to come in and fill out forms. We need to see them.” Background checks are a key part of the vetting process. “Unfortunately, we can’t run background checks without permission, but we do as many as we can. That way, we know who these people are and whether they’ve had any issues in the past.”
Beyond screening, cleaners are also trained. “They receive onboarding on how to use the app and are introduced to elevated cleaning standards,” Safari notes. This not only ensures a high-quality experience for customers but also empowers workers with valuable, transferable skills.
Clarity Through Checklists
Anyone who has hired a house cleaner knows the frustration of mismatched expectations. Safari’s solution is simple but powerful: detailed checklists.
“We’ve divided services into categories—standard, deep cleaning, move-in, and move-out. For each one, there’s a checklist,” she says. These checklists are shared with both customers and cleaners to avoid confusion and ensure consistency. Her advice to cleaners is direct: “Don’t try to make changes—just follow the instructions, and everyone will be happy.”
Elevating Pay and Expanding the Workforce
One of the platform’s key advantages is its compensation model. “When minimum wage is around $16–17, our cleaners make about $25 an hour,” Safari points out. This higher pay is helping attract a broader talent pool. “It used to be associated with certain groups. Now, even college students are taking on part-time cleaning jobs. If they need extra income on weekends, they can make good money.”
Green Cleaning with a Preventative Mindset
As more customers request eco-friendly services, Safari acknowledges the challenge. “Some people think green products don’t clean as well as chemicals—and they’re right,” she admits. “But the answer isn’t stronger chemicals. The answer is more frequent cleaning.” Her philosophy emphasizes prevention: “Don’t let places get so dirty that green products can’t do the job.”
Smarter Services with Data
By leveraging customer data, Safari’s platform is able to deliver more intelligent, responsive service. “We track ordering patterns, customer habits, and cleaning frequency,” she explains. “Believe it or not, cleaning is seasonal—some months are much busier than others.” This data-driven approach helps match supply with demand more efficiently year-round.
A Strategic Growth Plan
Currently focused on Southern California, Safari’s company is scaling methodically. “Our expansion is county by county,” she says. “We’re starting in Southern California, then Northern California, and gradually expanding to other regions.” This step-by-step approach helps them build both sides of the marketplace. “It’s a chicken-and-egg scenario—we need to recruit and train cleaners while attracting customers at the same time.”
As consumers grow to expect on-demand services in every area of life, cleaning platforms like Safari’s are set to thrive. By combining safety, convenience, and quality, they’re redefining the future of home services—one clean home at a time.
Connect with Bita Safari on LinkedIn to learn more about her journey and insights into the cleaning industry.
