Frequently Asked Questions
& Health/Safety
Exactly how eco-friendly are you?
Very! We make all our own products, by hand, from Australian sourced and readily biodegradable constituents; all being eco-friendly, chemical free, non-toxic, natural and vegan. Our containers and bottles are re/upcycled. Our business materials such as business cards and flyers are made using recycled paper/material, and we work with sustainability award winning green printing companies that share the same ethos. We also always opt for digital communication/services where possible and the banks we use do not invest in nor fund fossil fuel industries. Our carbon footprint is incredibly minimal, and better still, via funding reforestation projects in Australia and around the world, we're also very proudly 100% carbon neutral! To read more, click here for our sustainability excerpt. We're always seeking to improve further - if you have any suggestions, please let us know.
What are your rates and how are they calculated?
We make things simple - as opposed to an hourly fee, we calculate a set rate for each home to ensure we'll always give your space the attention it deserves and you'll always know the price. Once you've sent the request/specifics of your home, we'll pop those details into our quote estimator, fondly named Dusty SpringClean (yes we're quite proud of that one) and respond to you with your quote. For more information on our premium cleaning services in Melbourne, please click here to view service benefits.
Can you tell me more about the products you use?
As you may have guessed, all our products are entirely eco-friendly, readily biodegradable and void of any chemicals and toxins. They are all made by hand using organic vinegars, bi-carb, water, surfactants (suds!) and essential oils, leaving your home clean and smelling lovely. All constituents are plant-derived, natural and vegan. We also use a plant based citrus disinfectant and sanitiser that has been tested against a surrogate for Covid-19 with a kill rate of 99.99%. Your health is our utmost priority.
Are your products safe for high end finishes such as marble and soft stone?
Absolutely, we cater to all spaces, but specialise in homes with high end furnishings. The advantage of hand-crafted products is that they are precision designed for pH balanced application; effective yet gentle, specific yet all-rounded. Our products are safe for all forms of wood, marble, travertine, granite, slate, limestone (all the other soft stones too!), stainless steel, bronze, copper and probably everything else you can think of. Want to know if there's something unique or specific we can take care of? Just make mention of it when you submit an enquiry and we'll be happy to discuss.
Do I need to supply any equipment or products for the clean?
Not at all, while many request we use their vacuum, we supply all premium, commercial grade equipment ourselves.
I have a product that I'd like used on a specific area, is that okay?
Certainly, while we do supply all our own products, if you own a particular brand that is required for the type of surface to be cleaned then we are by all means happy to oblige so long as it is non-toxic. Just let us know!
Can I be home, or do I have to be home?
For first time, or one-time cleans at a space we've not previously cleaned, we require someone show us through the property at the beginning of the clean, and look through to confirm all items have been tended to at the end of the clean. For any future cleans after the initial booking, whatever is best for you works for us! If you'd prefer to, or need to be out then so long as we're given access, we will have your space sparkly, sanitised and smelling beautiful upon your return. While it's always easiest/best cleaning an empty home, if you'd prefer to stay, or you need to, then no worries. We're happy to be and work around the adult humans, medium humans, bubs and pets as required.
I have pets, is that okay?
So long as you're okay with us giving them all the love, then absolutely! All pats, hugs and pet conversation come free of charge. We do ask however that if there is any chance pets will prove a disturbance to the cleaning process, or any potential health or safety risk in movement or otherwise, that they be kept outside where possible or in a space that doesn't impact the function of your clean or cleaner's duties. Alongside detailed training of our staff, one of our biggest values is enjoyment/care and respect for animals, especially so in a home setting, however please do keep all of the above in mind as while unlikely, any issues arising from pets in the home is the legal responsibility of the homeowner/client. Please take on the approach that caution is is always best practice for the safety and benefit of everyone.
How long will my clean take? How many people will be there?
As Melbourne's premium cleaning service, we do not operate on a timed basis, rather to the high quality of a results-based job. As above, we are a boutique service and you will at most have a couple of cleaners, unless otherwise organised, for each booking. If this is a new home, or first time booking and we've never cleaned your space before, we will organise an initial clean and work until the inclusions of your booking are completed to standard. Once we've conducted that initial clean, having then done the hands-and-knees work required for your specific space then allows us to understand the upkeep, clean requirements for your space, your needs and pressure points for ongoing service, to then easily organise a time and schedule to clean your space and find a spot ongoingly.
Will I always have the same people? I don't want a cleaning agency with hundreds of staff.
Proudly, we are not an agency, rather a very tiny, boutique organic cleaning service and you will generally have the same people, short of reasonable unforeseen circumstances such as illness / injury. When it comes to other cleaning businesses, we hear a lot of horror stories or generally unsatisfied people who have had new, changing and/or untrained people sent every other booking with no real connection to the business owner; ones that claim to have employees but actually contract out their work, and those that use toxic/chemical based products, have little attention to detail, are unreliable, untrustworthy etc. (or an all too common combination of all the above). In response, we as "Dustpan & Brush" decided to build a smaller business that addresses those industry issues by staying small, providing a quality organic cleaning service. We always recommend you start your experience with us by booking a spring/deep clean or catch-up (depending on the home needs), that way you'll have the opportunity to meet us and get a good sense of our ongoing quality!
We don't wear shoes in our house, can you also not wear shoes while working?
Unfortunately no, while we understand the decision for no shoe households, non-slip shoes and foot protection is required by law for health, safety and hygiene. We must remain in non-slip footwear throughout the clean. Cleaning requires balance in both precarious areas and on common/normal surfaces alike, which are often wet, slippery or multi-level platformed such as steps and stairs. Asking your cleaner to perform these tasks without protective or non-slip shoes is against workcover requirements and safety is paramount. Please do not ask or expect us to remove them.
Do you or can you wear facemasks during the clean?
If you would like us to wear facemasks during your clean, please let us know and we'll be beyond happy to oblige. We prefer to give our people the choice as needs and requirements can vary between individuals and households, however if a facemask is preferred by you as the client then please feel comfortable in asking, we always want to ensure your experience is one of comfort and security, especially so in your own space.
Which areas do you service?
If we're close but you don't see your area below, contact us, we will try to assist if able!
Abbotsford – Albert Park – Alphington – Armadale – Ascot Vale – Ashburton – Ashwood – Balaclava – Balwyn – Bentleigh – Brighton – Brunswick – Burnley – Burwood – Camberwell – Canterbury – Carlton – Carnegie – Caulfield – Chadstone – Clifton Hill – Coburg – Collingwood – Cremorne – Elsternwick – Elwood – Essendon – Fairfield – Fitzroy – Flemington – Gardenvale – Glen Huntly – Glen Iris – Glen Waverley – Hampton – Hawthorn – Hughesdale – Huntingdale – Kew – Kooyong – Malvern – McKinnon – Melbourne – Middle Park – Mont Albert – Moonee Ponds – Mount Waverley – Murrumbeena – Northcote – Notting Hill – Oakleigh – Ormond – Pascoe Vale – Port Melbourne – Prahran – Preston – Princes Hill – Richmond – Ripponlea – South Melbourne – South Yarra – St Kilda – Surrey Hills – Toorak – Travancore – Wheelers Hill – Windsor
Are you registered and insured?
Of course. Dustpan & Brush has been registered and insured since 2016.
What is your cancellation policy?
We understand that things pop up and you may need to reschedule. We ask that any changes to the booking be made with reasonable notice. For detailed cancellation and reschedule policy, fees and costs, please read our terms of service - found here.
Where can I find your terms of service?
Terms of Service are found here!
Where can I find your reviews?
We're quite humbled by the reviews we're given, probably because we're so passionate about what we do! Find our reviews on google, on facebook and via the testimonials on the home page, taken from our reviews.
What days and hours do you operate?
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. We may offer or agree to bookings outside of these hours, or on weekends on the basis of availability and capacity. Applicable overtime and weekend surcharges will apply.
How often do you suggest I should have my scheduled regular clean?
Feedback we often hear from our clients who've used a different cleaner/company before, is that they previously required a more frequent clean as the work they'd been used to had been quite 'entry level' or, 'run of the mill' as opposed to a more meticulous service. After making the change to using Dustpan & Brush, they've been able to drop from weekly, down to fortnightly cleans, fortnightly down to monthly etc. We always provide a thorough, premium cleaning service that carries through unlike what you may have experienced prior to choosing us. This means that with us, you save both time and cost. Instead of paying for a more frequently scheduled (double the cost) and less meticulous (half the job) clean elsewhere, Dustpan & Brush's cleaning service allows you the most out of your booking, your time and your space. Of course, keep in mind that you may choose whichever available frequency of eco cleaning you'd like and we'll be happy to oblige.
Are you still covid-safe?
As a local boutique business, our ethos remains unchanged, we are a small all eco/organic cleaning company with a thorough reputation for being meticulous, ethical, safe and health forward. If you prefer, your clean can be undertaken with a new set of facemasks - if this is important to you, please let us know and we will be beyond happy to oblige. The disinfectant we use is of course plant-derived, has been tested against a surrogate for Covid-19 and has passed with a 99.99% kill rate. Our consistent standard for protecting health has meant that our cleaning methods, products and operation that existed pre-covid were already covid-safe. Our cleaning materials are all thoroughly machine sanitised in boiling water with commercial grade disinfectant. Customer health is our utmost priority and we are always actively seeking to maintain our already health-oriented operation for the safety of our lovely community. If you are wanting a clean, please click here for the the enquiry form and we'll get back to you asap!