By Ellie Boeschenstein EBS CONTRIBUTOR
Clean Bozeman began as a simple idea born from a career pivot, but quickly evolved into a full-scale housekeeping and hospitality service. Since its beginnings, the company has grown with the demand for high end, daytime housekeeping and construction cleaning services. Today, Clean Bozeman sets itself apart with its reliable, locally rooted team, deep attention to detail, and ability to consistently deliver results for private homes, luxury projects and hotels across Montana. In this Making it in Big Sky, Clean Bozeman’s Zach Leipheimer chatted with Explore Big Sky about his devotion to clients in the Bozeman and Big Sky communities.
This series is part of a paid partnership with the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce. The following answers have been edited for brevity.
Explore Big Sky: What inspired the start of Clean Bozeman, and how did it all begin?
Zach Leipheimer: Is it not everyone’s dream to be a housekeeper? Well, it certainly wasn’t mine, originally…I’m from Montana, and I had been looking for a career change. I had a good few years of buying and renovating rental homes but it was tough work. I spent too much of my time dealing with bad tenants. I thought it could be a good idea to get into cleaning with a group of two to four staff. I wanted to have people cleaning at night while I worked at something else during the day. … However after getting started, it was clear the opportunity was in daytime large format housekeeping and hospitality. I literally dropped everything and jumped in full blast. Now we average roughly 20+ full time staff at any point of the year.
EBS: What sets Clean Bozeman apart from other cleaning services in the area?
ZL: Overall horsepower and consistency would be all of our staff’s answers. When we start working with a client, we take on most of the liability of having the home or project ready for the due date. … When Big Sky gets crazy each season, we have a track record of showing up and performing. It has allowed us to work with clients on a repeat basis and become part of their operations. Our whole culture is the secret sauce to us setting ourselves apart from other smaller companies. We want to be a part of the development of Big Sky.
EBS: What values or mission guides your work?
ZL: We have a huge sign in our office: “Be proud of the work you do.” At the end of the day some look at our trade as just the cleaners. However it is so much deeper than that. When we earn our clients’ trust, they allow us to work in unique situations.
EBS: What types of cleaning services do you offer (residential, commercial, deep cleans,move-ins/outs)?
ZL: While we are available for most cleaning projects, our work is split into two main divisions. High end “whiteglove” housekeeping and project and construction housekeeping.
Whiteglove housekeeping is typically private residences, [such as] maid work, recurring housekeeping and event help, like setting up for a corporate event or helping a family’s private chef in the kitchen. Our work is much more intimate than what it seems from the surface.
Our construction teams tend to focus on projects in custom homes, as well as a large portion of our work is in resort and large scale construction projects. We have projects across the state planned for 2026. In addition, we have been known to support numerous hotels when they are at peak reservations.
EBS: Do you use eco-friendly or non-toxic cleaning products?
ZL: Yes, we have a huge selection of products. Mrs. Meyer’s has turned into one of our mainstay brands. It has been a great product to use across all homes. However we also have some depth to our products. We can come into a home and not only clean it, but use the products that builders, and the designers call for. For example, wood floors have lots of specific requirements depending on the home. A lot of our focus in the early stages of a project is working with the material providers to ensure our products match their care instructions.
EBS: How do you build trust and long-term relationships with your clients?
ZL: Consistency. It’s easy to say, but it’s hard to accomplish. Cleaning companies are everywhere, but they don’t typically stay around for long. The whole key to success is simply taking care of the smallest details for a client. We try to work in a “roll up our sleeves” way where our team is out performing other trades on a job site. It gets noticed by our clients and their project managers.
Over the years, this level of trust has also granted us opportunities to do work for musicians, politicians, astronauts, and some of the world’s most influential that choose to live or travel in Montana.
EBS: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a local business owner?
ZL: Avoiding staff turnover in business has been so important. The challenge has been creating a fantastic opportunity for our staff to stay with us, while still growing and feeling challenged. It also continues to be a challenge sending four to five vehicles to Big Sky almost everyday. But if it was easy, everyone would do it.
EBS: Is there anything else you would like to add?
ZL: We are lucky to be able to do business in Big Sky and Bozeman. Our clients have given us an exciting opportunity that changes each week and it’s motivating.
