Published: November 08, 2009 04:52 am      

Wallflower focuses on all-natural cleaning

FAIRMONT — Petrina Hixenbaugh’s new business focuses on all-natural cleaning.

Her company, Wallflower Cleaning, has been offering both commercial and residential cleaning in Marion County since July. Hixenbaugh, who lives in Bunner Ridge, said she would also be willing to serve areas like Morgantown, Clarksburg and Grafton.

The business offers a clean sweep service that includes wall-to-wall, floors and ceiling cleaning. Hixenbaugh recommended this option for customers who want extensive spring or fall cleaning.

“It’s also great for clients who are just starting with us ... and need to make sure that everything is clean before they start doing a regular dusting or regular cleaning service,” she said.

Some of Wallflower Cleaning’s clients have the clean sweep service done quarterly or every six months. The company can also go into homes or businesses biweekly, weekly or monthly to perform basic cleaning duties.

Wallflower Cleaning strives to be as natural as possible. Hixenbaugh, who has been doing this work for about five years, said her idea of starting a natural cleaning company simply made sense.

“I really enjoyed it as far as the all natural side,” she said.

While Hixenbaugh had seen other companies offer natural alternatives, those businesses generally purchased expensive cleaning products to use and then billed them to the customer, which she didn’t think was fair.

In much of her cleaning, Hixenbaugh uses vinegar and water, which she said does a great job on floors and is an effective all-purpose cleaner and disinfectant.

“It’s safe around children and pets,” she said. “As far as allergies with adults and children and even pets, I haven’t run into any yet that are allergic to vinegar. It can be used for a lot more purposes that other products.”

Not only are these products all natural, but they’re a lot more affordable. Because it’s not a huge cost, Hixenbaugh doesn’t charge customers for the cleaning products — unless a client has a special request. Some clients ask that Hixenbaugh use other cleaning products for their home or business.

“I just would like to encourage certain all natural alternatives,” she said.

Wallflower Cleaning only cleaned two buildings during its first couple months of business, but it has gained a lot more customers on both the residential and commercial sides.

“It really panned out,” Hixenbaugh said. “I’ve gotten a very good response.”

She said her favorite part of cleaning is the finished product.

Hixenbaugh, originally from Waynesburg, Pa., moved to the Fairmont area in 2005. Prior to coming to West Virginia, she served in the armed forces. She was deployed in 2003.

“I was active duty Army, and that’s where I learned a lot of my leadership, communication skills,” she said.

Following her deployment, she lived in Morgantown for a year and then discovered that she really liked Fairmont. Hixenbaugh is currently in the National Guard.

For more information, call Wallflower Cleaning at 304-216-1339 or visit the company’s Web site at http://wallflowercleaning.com.

E-mail Jessica Legge Borders at jlegge@timeswv.com.