by Jackie Norris

In 2007, after five years as a mortgage funder, Jennifer Troyer was devastated to learn she was being laid off. "I stayed in bed for a few days and had a pity party," she says. "When I came out of it, I decided to treat myself to a professional housecleaning."

Troyer says her frustrating search for an environmentally responsible cleaning company brought on a revelation. "Every company I called struggled to answer the most basic questions," Troyer says, adding most weren't able to tell her if their products were nontoxic or tested on animals. "I knew there had to be like-minded people in Seattle, so I decided to start my own green housecleaning company."

Within weeks of launching Seattle Green Cleaner, Troyer says her business blossomed and she was booked to capacity. Now, the company boasts multiple Super Service Awards.

Troyer says her organizational and customer service skills, and her ability to multitask have helped Seattle Green Cleaner win the Super Service Award two years in a row. “I tell my employees that I don’t expect perfection, but I expect excellence,” she says.

Angie's List member Robert O'Twomney says SGC keeps his Seattle home as clean as a whistle, and free of chemicals that could harm his family. "It's important to me because I have a toddler that touches, licks and rubs on everything," he says.

Most of SGC's clients share a concern about the environment - inside of their homes and out - says Troyer. "Green is important because we all share this planet and are responsible for handing it over to the next generation," she says. "If you're going to hire a house cleaner, why not hire one that has as little impact on the planet as possible."

Catherine Franklin of Seattle was initially attracted to SGC's services because of their eco-conscious practices, but she says she continues to employ them due to their thorough cleaning. "My house absolutely sparkles," Franklin says. "I'm even willing to give up lattes to have this as a regular service.