The Hipster Housecleaner

So there was this Craigslist ad.

Hipster Housecleaner H St NE

“Like most hipsters I spend my time being totally ironic and getting seriously awesome. I recently lost my job being hella tight, looking sweet while hanging out in American Apparel and started a business cleaning houses and doing chores. I offer services that are so basic it’s almost not funny; except it is, because while you’re at work you can think about how badass I’m being at your house. You can rest easy with the fact that a sweet dude in skinny jeans is totally taking out the garbage and cleaning your toilet etc. + If you tip me a 6er of PBR I’ll totally update your iTunes collection with the freshest jams so you can impress your friends with your new-found musical knowledge.”

I learned about him the way I learn about so many things, on the Moms on the Hill listserv. I thought the ad was hilarious. I live near and work on H Street, yet that is where my similarity to the hipster world begins and ends. The MOTH who posted the ad sang high praises of the HH’s services so I was intrigued…and I needed help. Could I ask a hipster to clean my messy house? Playing Wii with my kids I could see, but scrubbing my baseboards?

When not running a vacuum, the Hipster Housecleaner’s true identity is Philip Goyette, a twenty-something transplant from Minneapolis.  Philip came to DC two and a half years ago after spending some time running the PIRG program there. The long hours left him little time to enjoy the privileges of youth, so when he made the move to DC he chose to earn his living in a less stressful way. He worked at hipster staples Urban Outfitters, the Apple Store and, of course, that hella tight turn at American Apparel.

After the loss of the AA gig he turned to odd cleaning jobs from craigslist and began working for regular customers in the Palisades area. A friend suggested the name Hipster Housecleaner and on a whim Philip posted the ad.

At that moment, Aaron Cox-Richard’s partner Maria was posting that she was looking for cleaning help. She saw the Hipster ad and was amused by clever poster, and thought his retail management experience meant he was reliable and clever.

Philip has been cleaning for the family for a while and they are thrilled with his service. His original style extends to the services he provides. For the Cox-Richard family this means twice a week he shows up at 6pm just as they are finishing up dinner. While they spend some pre-bedtime playtime with the kids he tackles the kitchen. After bedtime, he heads to the living room. By the time they put their four children (under three years old!!) to bed the whole first floor is clean.

What’s it like having a hipster see your house and by extension your life at its least presentable? Cox-Richard said, “I just couldn’t imagine feeling comfortable with a super hip kid dealing with my messy house, but it’s worked out.”

Philip’s inbox filled up with requests after Maria posted her rave on MOTH. He absolutely cleans bathrooms and folds laundry, all those years in retail paying off. Shortly after his newfound celebrity with Hill moms Philip was hit by a car while on his bike. He should be up and scrubbing again soon though.

During our brief interview at SOVA he was polite, open, enthusiastic and intensely upbeat, betraying no attitude or snark. Sure, he was decked in skinny jeans, leather jacket, the ubiquitous t shirt and red kicks (his term but I knew what it meant because I watch Entourage.) He was easy to talk to and not at all condescending to to this person of advanced age despite the fact the she occasionally had to struggle to understand him. This happened when I asked, were I to slip him some PBR, just how would he update my iTunes. When he began talking about bands it was as if I was suddenly no longer a native English speaker. Ouch. I have homework to do.

I had to ask the Mommy-esque question–did he have  health insurance? Well, no. But he was quick to point out his ambitions for Hipster Housecleaner, for which he has purchased the domain and is finalizing a logo. Nearly at capacity with clients, he hopes to expand the brand and, yes, get insurance. Imagine a fleet of skinny pants-wearing happy hipsters cleaning the homes of DC! Maybe someday a line a ironic cleaning products??

Should your toilet need some badass cleaning you can reach Philip at hipsterhousecleaner{at}gmail{dot}com.