Tracy Parrott loves to clean. She snags pesky pet hair off the bottom of chair legs and steams kitchen appliances until they look like new. With grapefruit-scented spray, she makes every switch plate sparkle.

A Sacramento mother with two children, she fits cleaning in around chauffeuring her kids to school and sports practice. But her clean-freak passion has a dividend. She's also found a way to make her housework pay.

Parrott is a member of Mothers Cleaning Co-op, a profit-sharing house-cleaning cooperative of "soccer moms."

"We clean like moms," she said. "We likely have a home a lot like yours. We won't ding the furniture or scratch the floor. We're very careful and very thorough."

Mothers Cleaning Co-op fills a unique job niche for stay-at-home mothers who want to work part-time but still have the flexibility to drop their kids off at school, volunteer in the classroom and drive on field trips, Parrott said.

The co-op was founded by Carmichael's Betty Nicholson, who had managed a professional cleaning company for years before launching Mothers.

"When it comes to cleaning, I always felt that nobody did the job I could do," Nicholson said. "People think of house cleaning as a dead-end job, but this co-op allows us all to be partners in our success. We're all helping it to grow while doing what we love."

So far, 18 moms have joined the co-op. They work in pairs, building personal relationships with their clients and each other.

"People keep their house cleaners for years when they find someone good," said member Tish Fridley of Sacramento.

Danielle Mullineaux of Carmichael was looking for a new house cleaner when she stumbled on the Mothers Cleaning Co-op.

"I loved the name," said Mullineaux, herself a busy mom with two young children and a cat. "The concept of these soccer moms as cleaners appealed to me."

She found a perfect fit and like-minded helpers.

"They're thorough and always reliable," Mullineaux said. "I trust them. I also really like them. I have a lot in common with them."

The moms also could relate.

"For example, my son is a Lego fanatic," Mullineaux said. "He's very particular about his Legos and doesn't want anyone to touch them. Tracy's son went through the same Lego phase. She totally understood."

For the Mothers, the co-op allows them to earn money – $25 an hour – for the extras their children want and need.

"I'm spending the money on my children," said Nova Harris, who discovered Mothers after being laid off from her accounting job. "I don't have to feel guilty about paying for extra music lessons or another soccer jersey. And when I need time off to go on a field trip, I don't feel guilty about asking for it. Another Mother will step up and fill in."

House cleaning feels like a second job to many people.

"Let's face it, few of us look forward to cleaning the house and some of us just downright hate it," said Angie Hicks, founder of consumer rating service Angie's List, which offers customer reviews of professional cleaners and cleaning services.

Some rooms are more disliked than others.

"In a recent Angie's List poll, nearly 60 percent of respondents said their least-favorite room to tackle is the bathroom," Hicks said. "The most common complained-about areas are toilets and cleaning soap scum."

By comparison, cleaning the kitchen was liked least by 22 percent. Nearly 70 percent thought the kitchen was the room that needed cleaning the most often, too.

Hicks views these cleaning professionals as a way to cut down on stress. A pro can make faster work of the kitchen, for example, by tackling the big jobs. Then, it's a lot less work and stress for the homeowner.

And by taking tasks off your list, you have more time to spend with family or do things you actually like, she added.

Aside from typical services like vacuuming and dusting, many companies will design a cleaning plan catered to your individual needs, Hicks said.

They can tackle such tasks as laundry, making beds, polishing furniture and washing walls or baseboards, as well as such major jobs as cleaning appliances, carpets or window coverings.

"Be clear about what you want done," Hicks added. "If you have a seven-foot bookshelf you want cleaned every week, be sure to write it down (on the to-do list)."

Mothers' fees vary widely, depending on variables such as how often they come to clean and how large the house is. A weekly cleaning of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house costs $99; monthly cleanings of a four-bedroom, three-bath are $232.

"Excessive pet hair may incur additional charges," the Mothers warn on their website.

Trust underlines a housecleaner's duties.

"You have to be able to trust your cleaner," Nicholson said. "They're in your home. Dependability is very important."

Most of the Mothers met through their children. Nicholson recruited Adrienne Cummings at her daughter's birthday party.

"Betty asked me if I cleaned my kitchen myself," Cummings said. "I thought it was weird, but she was impressed."

Like the other moms, Cummings takes pride in her cleaning.

"I love to clean ovens," she said. "I love (client's) reactions when they see it sparkle like new."

Her secret? Steam. The moms steam-clean and sanitize appliances plus kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

"And you get a free facial in the process," added Marianne McMorris, another cleaning mom.

Besides helping other busy moms, the Mothers say they find a certain fulfillment that comes from a job well done.

Said Parrott, "It's almost more satisfying cleaning someone else's home than your own. When it's done, it's done. And you're not around to see it get messed up."

Tips for picking a house-cleaning service

Hiring a cleaner is a very personal decision. You need to get to know – and trust – the individuals who are going to do the actual cleaning, as well as the company or cooperative they represent.

Angie's List, the consumer rating service, offers this advice when hiring a house-cleaning service:

• Do interviews in person: It's important to not only talk to a representative from a house-cleaning service, but also the actual person who will be cleaning your home. You should be comfortable with them, especially if they'll be working while you're not there. Ask if the same crew will be at your home each time.

• Ask about background checks: You must trust your cleaners. They have access to your personal space and possessions. A service should do background checks on employees and maintain proper liability insurance.

• How much? Cost depends on the services you request, the frequency of visits and the size of your home. Ask if the service charges by the hour or by the project. Most house-cleaning services offer free in-home estimates.

• Establish clear expectations: Don't be shy talking about what you want. Put it in writing. Do a walk-through of your house and make a list of your priorities and desires. It may take a couple of cleanings for you and the company to get in sync.

• Make preparations: Put away all jewelry and valuables. This will keep them from getting misplaced or damaged.

• Who buys supplies? Some companies use their clients' rags, paper towels, cleaners and other household supplies. Be sure to ask whether they'll bring their own or if they need access to yours.

• "Green" clean: If you hire an environmentally friendly company, ask what specific products they use. Research those products if not familiar with them.

• Call ahead: Most house-cleaning services need at least two weeks' notice for an appointment.

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 321-1075.

• Read more articles by Debbie Arrington