“I like everything tidy, back in place,” says Cheryl Arafat.
Cheryl owns a premier cleaning company called Home Clean Heroes of Oakland County – which fits her to a ’T,’ because she’s an admitted clean freak. “Before I go to bed, my house has to have not a spoon in the sink. It needs to look ready for a visit from Jesus. Then I can sleep.”
Cheryl says she cleans to let out frustration, joking that her parents would intentionally initiate squabbles so she’d go on a cleaning frenzy. Cleanliness and order are also part of her parenting: “I set traps for my kids,” she admits. “I’ll hide a feather behind a couch.”
She’s a run-your-finger-across-surfaces mom too: “I’ll write ‘Mom’ in the dust,” she adds. And if her kids’ rooms are not clean, she’s taken pictures and half-jokingly threatened to post them on social media.
“I’m a grime fighter,” she summarizes with a smile.
Cheryl runs Home Clean Heroes the same way: “Everyone has to complete our Cleaning Academy videos before they’re hired, to make sure we provide consistent service no matter who’s on the schedule that day.”
Cheryl also accompanies each new ‘grime fighter’ on their first clean to provide in-person training. “And if I don't have something for them to do, then we're cleaning my house. I want to see what you do, and it's my house, so if something’s not getting done, I'm gonna know it.”
Home Clean Heroes background-checks all their employees too, and they’re fully bonded and insured. “Accidents happen, people make mistakes,” Cheryl says. “If something gets damaged or broken, we’ll repair or replace it.”
Cheryl’s family has always been self-employed, so her drive to succeed matches her zeal for cleanliness. “We're here so you can spend your free time on the things that matter most," Cheryl declares.
Before she quotes a price, Cheryl does a walk-through and gives a free in-home or in-business estimate: “I’m honest. With empty nesters, for example – your kids are at college, those rooms aren’t being used – I’m not charging you for the entire 5,000-square-foot house.”
Home Clean Heroes adjusts their cleaning products for their customers’ needs. “We carry an eco-friendly line,” Cheryl explains, “but if a customer says, ’Bleach the heck out of my bathrooms,’ that’s what you’ll get. Your house, your rules.”
The company shows up with all their own supplies, including vacuums, dusters and even color-coordinated microfiber cloths to protect rooms from cross-contamination. “Access, electricity and water are all we need from you,” Cheryl assures me.
Cheryl shows her gratitude to the community in multiple ways: donating fundraiser gift baskets to schools; sponsoring their events; supporting local churches; and giving back to first responders. “A portion of every service goes to First Responders’ Children’s Foundation,” Cheryl says, “and our corporate office matches it.”
In the past, Home Clean Heroes has offered a $5,000 scholarship for children or grandchildren of First Responders, as well as a contest where a First Responder and guests won a trip to New York City for Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
Cheryl also proudly supports Cleaning for a Reason, an international non-profit that offers free housecleaning services to women undergoing treatment for any type of cancer.
It's almost time to prepare for the family holiday get-togethers, and that means time to clean the house. Cheryl and her team are available for pre-cleanings – and the post-party scrubbing and cleansing once everyone has gone home.
I ask Cheryl for testimonials.
“My reviews on the website,” she replies, “are real people. There’s a relationship that gets built. Many clients aren’t even home when we arrive; they just give us their garage codes, their door codes, even the house key. That’s serious trust, and my team and I don’t take it lightly. We’re consistently respectful.”
And what is Cheryl grateful for?
“The clients I’ve come to know personally. They’re what keeps my business growing. I’m thankful for them!”
Get your free Home Clean Heroes of Oakland County estimate: call (248) 829-6659 or visit or homecleanheroes.com/oaklandcounty
“We're here so you can spend your free time on the things that matter most."