From Burnout to Breakthrough: The Story Behind Naturally Thorough Cleaners

Starting a cleaning company wasn’t just a business decision—it was a calling born out of exhaustion, second chances, and a deep love for the community we call home.

About eight years ago, I had my first experience running a cleaning business. I managed everything alone, handling client quotes, scheduling, cleaning, all of it. Even with my best friend Tana pitching in as a cleaner, the weight became overwhelming. Eventually, burnout forced me to shut it down. It felt like the end of an era, but really, it was just the beginning of something much better.

A few years later, out of the blue, a Fortune 500 company contacted me. They needed a team to clean their industrial chemical plant for an important investor visit. Even though I didn’t have a company anymore, my reputation had stuck around. I made one quick call, to Tana, and just like that, we jumped back into the world of cleaning.

It was supposed to be a one-off job. But something sparked during that experience. We remembered how much fun we had working together. We realized that with the right partnership, cleaning didn’t have to be lonely and draining, it could be energizing, even joyful.

After the project ended, Tannah made a life-changing suggestion: "Let's start a new cleaning company. This time, I'll do it with you. You won’t have to carry it all alone." That moment was electric. Building a business alongside my best friend, with real support, felt like a dream worth chasing.

We set some ground rules right away:

• Only clean with non-toxic products.
  
  

• Stay true to our ethics, no cutting corners, no compromising values.
  
  

• Focus on serving our local community—the heart of Chicagoland, especially Oak Park, Berwyn, and Forest Park.
  
  

• Create jobs for the people we care about, offering better pay, flexibility, and respect.
  
  

Naturally Thorough Cleaners was born from that vision. And all these years later, we’re still here, still thriving, and still just as passionate as we were on day one.

Weathering the Storm: How COVID Shaped Us

We officially launched Naturally Thorough Cleaners in 2019. Just as we were gaining momentum, the world shifted. COVID-19 hit, and many cleaning companies couldn’t keep up. But we had a head start—we were already using PPE, gloves, and natural sanitizers. Safety wasn’t an afterthought for us; it was built into who we are.

While others struggled to pivot, we were ready. We stayed open, we stayed safe, and we grew. The families and businesses of Chicagoland needed reliable, responsible cleaners more than ever, and we were honored to meet that need.

From Commercial Spaces to Family Homes

In the early days, we focused mostly on commercial cleaning—offices, storefronts, local businesses. But our clients started asking, "Can you clean my home too?" They trusted us with their businesses, and now they wanted us to take care of their families' spaces.

Switching to home cleaning felt like coming full circle. My original background was in residential cleaning, so training our team to work inside homes felt natural. It’s now our bread and butter—and we absolutely love it. Building relationships inside people’s homes brings a personal connection that commercial spaces just can’t match.

We customize everything to fit our clients’ needs, making each home feel not just cleaner but lighter, fresher, and more welcoming.

What Clients Feel (Not Just See)

One of the best compliments we get? "It doesn’t just look clean, it feels clean."

Clients tell us the energy in their homes shifts after a Naturally Thorough Clean. It smells amazing. It feels brighter, happier. Many even call our team the "happy cleaners" because you can tell we love what we do. Cleaning isn’t a chore for us, it’s a privilege and a joy.

Our team members are people who already loved cleaning before they joined us. That passion shines through in every room, every detail, every moment we spend in a client’s home.

Why "Thorough" Is in Our Name

At Naturally Thorough Cleaners, thoroughness isn’t just part of the service—it’s our identity. We don’t work around things. We pick them up, clean under and behind them, and put them back neatly. Every corner, every shelf, every nook gets the attention it deserves.

We believe when a space is deeply, genuinely clean, you can feel it. And that's the feeling we aim to deliver, every single time.