Behind the Scenes of Touch of Clean Aberdeen

Hi, I am Alessia, founder of Touch of Clean Aberdeen!

I'm so glad to see you made your way to my page. My name is Alessia, and I am the founder of Touch of Clean Aberdeen, an Aberdeen-based cleaning company. In 2013, I took the bold step to move from the country of my birth, Italy, to Aberdeen. I don't know what I was thinking, to be honest.

The changes I needed to adapt to were ginormous — the time zone, the weather, the food. It's been 12 years and I still haven't fully adjusted, but because Aberdeen is such a boiling pot of cultures and the people from all around the world add so much colour and warmth, I found reason to call it home.

When I arrived, my industrious self needed to hit the ground running, so I began working part-time in a fast food restaurant while building my business as a baby photographer, Alessia Galeffi Baby Photography.

When COVID Changed Everything

Then the world came to a halt when COVID hit, and no babies were coming for my cuddles anymore.

Like many small business owners, I had to let go of something I loved — my photography business. It wasn't easy, but I knew I had to keep moving. So I turned to something I could do from home: crafting. That's how The Crafty House Aberdeen was born. I started creating cake toppers, party bags, and handmade bits to bring joy into people's celebrations, even in the middle of uncertainty.

Later, through my church community, I felt inspired to start Worship with Paint — a small project where I designed Sicilian-style mugs and canvases featuring Bible verses. It combined my love for art and faith. While the business didn't take off the way I'd hoped, it was a special part of my creative journey.

The Moment That Changed Everything

Then came a moment that truly changed everything.

One day, I helped a Christian couple from my church (King's Church Aberdeen) clean their new home. I've always loved cleaning — there's something incredibly satisfying about creating order, bringing sparkle back to a space, and helping others feel at peace in their environment. For me, it never felt like a chore; it felt purposeful. After we finished, they insisted on blessing me financially to start my own business. That act of kindness gave me the nudge I needed.

I started with what I knew — cleaning homes. I worked long hours, often using harsh chemicals, but I didn't mind the hard work. I loved the feeling of making a space shine, of seeing a home transformed and knowing I'd helped someone breathe easier in their own space.

Growing with Purpose

Fast forward, and my business has grown in ways I never expected.

Today, I focus entirely on cleaning offices and commercial spaces. I begin work early in the morning, which gives me the rest of the day to spend with my husband and children — a rhythm that suits my life beautifully.

As the business grew, so did my awareness of how much plastic and chemical waste I was producing. That didn't sit right with me. I care deeply about the spaces I clean, but also about the planet we all share. So I began making the switch to eco-friendly products and sustainable practices.

My business now lives by a simple but powerful motto: "Fill. Refill. Respect."

It means one bottle for life, refilled locally, reducing plastic waste and doing my part for the environment. I believe every small action adds up to something meaningful.

Looking back, I never imagined that something as ordinary as cleaning would become a source of so much purpose and joy. But it has. Through every twist and turn — from crafts and canvases to cleaning contracts — my journey has been shaped by faith, community, and a love for creating beautiful, healthy spaces.

And I know this is just the beginning!