Window Cleaning Company Move To Dry Land

The offices of S&G Cleaning Services were submerged under 12 feet of flood water.

S&G Cleaning Services Makes New Home in Hillsborough: Flood-ravaged S&G Cleaning Services, forced to move out of Manville following the aftermath of Hurricane Irene back in August, has found a new home in Hillsborough. The business, owned and operated by Shirley Perlinsky and her husband, Gary, seems to be doing better than ever after a post-Irene transition that saw the business operate out of the couple’s Somerville home before moving into town in December.

“When we heard we were going to get hit hard by Irene, we just got our computers and took to my house in Somerville,” said Perlinsky. “I set up my office temporarily in there, and we took the cars out of Manville—most of them—so we could continue working the next day. On Monday, we were already servicing customers from my house.”

S&G Cleaning Services currently boasts a fleet of 18 workers and eight cars that travel anywhere from Short Hills to Frenchtown to provide carpet and window cleaning, post-construction and maid services to customers. In addition, the aftermath of Irene was useful in one way, as it helped the business add water damage restoration and mold remediation to its repertoire of services.

“We were basically forced to lean about water damage restoration after all the floods that we had in Manville to help ourselves and to help some other clients that need help with the damage,” said Perlinsky. “We are getting a certification on mold remediation, which is another thing that happens when you get dirty water in your house.” Besides giving us an opportunity to move to Hillsborough, one other good thing came with Irene, says Perlinsky. It inspired us to become certified in water damage cleanup

Clearly, the business has come a long way from the cleaning lady service begun by Perlinsky’s mother in 1987. Since buying the business in 2000, Perlinsky and her employees have become one of the most well-known and trusted cleaning services in the state. “We provide (our employees) with company cars, uniforms, insurance and everything that they need, all the supplies and everything, to clean people’s homes,” said Perlinsky. “They are all background checks. They’re family, too; we hired people that we really trust and have recommendations.”

Shirley Perlinsky, owner of S&G Cleaning Services. Perlinsky operated from her home for four months while awaiting assistance from FEMA.

In addition, all S&G Cleaning Services employees are trained in all aspects of the business with books and classes from the House Cleaning Association to ensure that they are knowledgeable about all aspects of their craft. “Even for window cleaning, I send people out to get trained,” said Perlinsky. “I care about the customers, and I care about their safety as well.”

Its own sense of community helps S&G Cleaning Services become involved in the surrounding community, as well. Perlinsky told Patch that the business has involved itself in many charitable causes, including local school fundraisers, Habitat for Humanity Fundraisers and Cleaning for a Reason, which offers free cleaning services to women affected by cancer. “(Community service) is a big deal for us; we love to do that,” said Perlinsky.

S&G Cleaning Services also offers discounts to seniors, while showing the courtesy and care that Perlinsky aims to continually establish as the calling card of her business. “We treat them like they are our grandfather and grandmother,” said Perlinsky. Due to all of these factors, Perlinsky hopes that S&G Cleaning Services is here to stay in Hillsborough. “It’s all about excitement,” said Perlinsky. “We should be able to work more professionally and more organized, and be able to serve the new demand that we have here.”