Kim and Aggie. About Kim, How Clean Is Your House

About Kim Kim Woodburn Biography

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Date Published:
07/07/2008

Kim was born in Eastney, near Portsmouth. She first noticed the joy of cleaning while watching her fastidious grandmother who cleaned schools for a living, soaking clothes, scrubbing the step and polishing like crazy.

However, Kim's first job after leaving school at 15 was in a high-class fashion shop, ironing the clothes that would be displayed in the window.

She took up her first live-in cleaning job after moving to Liverpool, cleaning from morning till night. A variety of jobs followed: at a toy factory, a holiday camp, as a beautician, a social worker and even a model in a clothes catalogue. Kim also started knitting, and founded a handmade knitwear company. In 1983 Kim made her television debut, modelling her range of knitwear on Pebble Mill At One with Jeff Banks. It was 20 years before television would rediscover Kim Woodburn.

Before the How Clean Is Your House? screen test, Kim was told she would be meeting someone called Aggie. 'I thought she was the presenter and I was the cleaner!' she says. As it happens they are both cleaners. Their appeal has also spread to America where they appeared for two years in their show How Clean Is Your House? They also filmed a six-part series for Channel 4 called Too Posh to Wash and in 2006 Kim and Aggie filmed a documentary, When Kim & Aggie Went to Hospital.

Their book How Clean Is Your House? was published in 2003 and became a best-seller. In 2004 they published a book, Too Posh to Wash to accompany their television series. This was then followed in 2006 by another book, Cleaning Bible. In 2006, Kim also published her autobiography, Unbeaten, a powerful and emotional story of a very difficult childhood.

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  1. Dear Kim and Aggie I am 10 years old and i love your show. I have some red furry gloves like yours. I enjoy cleaning and i always make sure my bedroom is nice and clean. Are you and channel 4 going to do a children's cleaning show? If you are i would love to help. I would be so excited if you got back to me. from gg
    Posted by Gigi on 23/11/2009 17:42:32
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  2. my 2 daughters love kim .They have been watching her on im a celebrity get me out of here !
    Posted by siobhan on 21/11/2009 19:03:26
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  3. I LOVE Kim and Aggie. I'd absolutely love them to come over to my house and sort me and my girlfriend out! My girlfriend calls them my 'other ladies'. Mind you that world of warcraft guys's house, and the one with the mumified rat traumatised me. BLURRRGH!
    Posted by RossFixxxed on 19/11/2009 11:56:48
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  4. I am really pleased to find that Kim and Aggie have a book out! I have always said they should put out a book of their cleaning tips - love them! I am going out this very week to buy their book, then! My friends and I all watch 'How Clean Is Your House' and talk about it! - We all enjoy it so much! The tips are SO helpful and GOOD! Moreover, Kim is great fun to watch! Well, they both are. Good and useful television - a rarity! Thanks, Teresa PLEASE KEEP THIS SHOW GOING!
    Posted by terscar on 19/10/2009 15:34:26
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  5. Me & my 5yr old daughter watch kim & aggies 'How clean is your house?' all the time she thinks its fantastic when it ends she keeps asking 'is there anothere one on mom' when the program is on its the quietest she's eva been! Kims our favorite! They're very brave going into some of the homes that are..... well absoultly terrible! Im quite house proud myself & even i woudnt attempt them! Anyway we just wanted to say we think your both fantastic & w enjoy watching ur program & will continue to do so aslong as u keep cleaning lol, jodie & cassidy xxx
    Posted by jodie hayward on 10/10/2009 14:04:09
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  6. Dear Kim and Queen Ags. I am the dirtiest of dirty beggars. Please visit me in Churwell. My home needs a good scrub. Or demolition Love Ali
    Posted by Alistair Law on 01/10/2009 15:14:17
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  7. i love you so very much, your my hero!
    Posted by sarah on 11/09/2009 11:24:55
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  8. hi i've watched your program religously for years, and want to thank you both even though i never had you round my house you helped me clean up my home, i use to be a slob and hated cleaning, but with your bright tips, i've managed to change my house hold habits i'm not perfect but its a damn site better than it use to be. depression was a big factor of my unclean home, now my children who are 5 years and two have a nice clean home. so i had to write to you to say a massive THANKYOU. i love your show and you. please keep up keeping britian homes clean regards katherine and children x x x x x
    Posted by katherine essex on 11/08/2009 17:28:01
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  9. I'm a huge fan of How Clean Is Your House? and watch it whenever my shifts allows. I have just finished, literally fifteen minutes ago, reading 'Unbeaten' and found it 'unputdownable'... it has made me an even bigger admirer of Kim than I was before. Many thanks to all concerned for conceiving such a great programme and for choosing Kim and Aggie as the presenters :)
    Posted by Lou Dowling on 01/08/2009 16:49:27
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  10. I would love to know when the next new series of HOW CLEAN IS YOUR HOUSE going to be on our tv screens. I just love it !
    Posted by tricia on 22/07/2009 20:16:26
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  11. When is the new series of how clean is your house starting? and how many programmes will there be?
    Posted by DAVID GRAHAM on 10/07/2009 15:06:41
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  12. Bless you for the tip about using cornflour with water on windows and rubbing off with a microfibre cloth. My windows are streak free for the first time ever!
    Posted by Sue on 08/07/2009 17:21:27
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  13. hello. i was just wondering how do you get the smell of cat wee out of the carpets. i love cleaning, i hate cooking thanxs x
    Posted by Rebecca jayne on 28/06/2009 13:10:18
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  14. Hi kim and aggie. I am a 22 year old from monroe ct. I am a huge fan of the two of you. You guys made me love to clean. But i need to know where you can get a pair of those fabulous gloves? Thank you for making cleaning fun.
    Posted by Heather on 25/05/2009 01:18:21
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  15. I love Kim & Aggie. They're down to earth, sincere and happy to impart techniques. More power to the show & staff!
    Posted by Brooke on 18/05/2009 08:24:26
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  16. I discovered Kim and Aggie qute by mistke and am I glad I did. They are the BEST.......I record every show when I'm not at home and play it over and over. Their cleaning tips are great. I love the way Kim gets all over these filthy people......She's a HOOT! Love you Kim and Aggie! By the way, my house is spotless. :0)
    Posted by Geri on 07/05/2009 21:13:41
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  17. I absolutely love Kim and Aggie,where do they get their fantastic rubber gloves from...I want a pair! Kim I read your autobiography,you are one inspiration to go through what you did and come out the other side a true lady.
    Posted by Julie on 19/04/2009 10:20:01
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  18. Dear Kim I am reading your autobiography at the moment. I can't believe you survived that terrible childhood and have become so happy and successful. You have all my admiration and respect. Best wishes Ellen
    Posted by Ellen on 11/04/2009 21:55:15
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  19. I live in the U.S. and T-vo your show everyday. I love the way that you gently yet firmly guide people to help them have a safer and happier home. Last week I came home from work (I'm a single mother) and my house was spotless! It seams my teenage daughter watched an episode of your show and was inspired. I can't thank you enough. After reading your bio. I wasn't surprised to see that you were a hairstylist. That's what I do for a living! God bless and keep up the good work! sincerly, Kelley P.S. I love the shows you do in the U.S. but would like to see you in other parts of our beautiful country besides southern ca.
    Posted by Kelley on 06/04/2009 21:01:22
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  20. Inspired by your cleaning tips, i am a working mum with a house to clean - and am enjoying spending less by using natural products e.g. vinegar and bicarb, olive oil and lemon! and learning how to use essential oils in the home - so much nicer than the noxious smells of commercial cleaning products - so thanks, i have learnt a lot, and saved money. I have just read that Kim is a knitter, the time is right for a resurgence of that art too, i am self-taught and only been knitting a year, but am inspired to learn that Kim has made a living out of knitting and cleaning - go Kim!
    Posted by lesley on 03/04/2009 16:46:19
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  21. Dear Kim I have been told about your biography but am partially sighted, so cannot read text.Is there anyway that it could be recorded onto an audio format? I'm desperate to meet you or speak to you as from what I've been told but obviously haven't been able to read for myself, I have had a very similar upbringing to yourself in Portsmouth. Please could you reply to this e mail Kind Regards Stephanie
    Posted by Stephanie Cokeley on 18/03/2009 12:02:06
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  22. Dear Kim and Aggie I just love your show I watch it everyday I am from the USA and am immigrating to this coulntry as we speak. I think u two are the funniest ladies when u walk into a nasty filthy house the comments u make is absolutely hillarious and I almost literally roll on the floor laughing. I think u guys are one of a kind and I love all the tips u give on cleaning. Me I am a clean freak I have to have a tidy house but one thing I am afraid of is the spiders. I feel bad when I have to kill them its not right to do taht I saw a show of yours once and it was those 2 poeple that had that sheep farm. Anyways u gave them a tip about keeping the beasties away and it was spiders. I cant remeber what u sue to keep the spiders away it was some type off oil mixed with something else. Also what can I do to keep out the nasty mosquitos in the summer time cause when we open the back door in the summer all the moths and mosquitos come in and Im so afraid of the them. Im afraid Im a chicken when it comes to bugs especially flying ones and those big awfull mosquito eaters. How can I prevent them from coming in the kitchen thats where our back doors are unfortunately. when I watch your show I cant imagine how poepl can live in the conditions they do its gross The things u guys go thru its so unbelieveable. I was raised by my grandmother who always had her house clean and tidy smelling good. So all my childhood years I grew up keeping a clean house. I ahve to ask u one more question and sometimes when I get thru mopping the kitchen floor even though I clean it it doesnt keep the smell from the floor cleaner that I use so how can I keep the kitchen smelling fresh day to day? As I said I watch yoiur show everyday and I hope u find more and more houses to clean. You are just a delight to watch everyday. I enjoy every episode u have. I had a step mother in my life who used to always stack her dishes in the sink and left them there for 3 days it was so disgusting. Ill never forget that smell. Well I just wanted to write u and tell u that I think your the best two ladies and brave I may add as well going into all thse filthy gargabe scouls as I would put it. Braving those horrible hovels and bacteria. Keep up the good work Ive always wanted to write u and ask your advice on the beasties that im so afraid of. Hopefull sometime can meet u two. I think your fabulous people. All the best Best wishes and cheers Luella McLauchlin
    Posted by Luella McLauchlin on 19/02/2009 13:31:43
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  23. Dear Kim & Aggie, I absolutely love your show and think you are both so funny, but please tell me, how do you go into these rancid homes with your lovely smart clothes and not catch anything distasteful??!! I would not enter these houses even if I had a protective suit made of lead!! I sometimes watch your programmes in shock at how people can live in such conditions and wonder why each and every one of them are not in hospital (the lady with the birds for example). You are both very brave ladieS!
    Posted by Natalie Court on 31/01/2009 12:47:07
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  24. I just wanted to say, I absoulutly, undoubtably, love "How clean is you house?". I watch the program on BBCA and I got hooked last year.We really enjoy all of Kim and Aggie's advice and they have inspired us to live cleaner. I just wish that when they came to America they couldve gotten ahold of my sisters house. The houses I saw them do here were NOT anywhere as dirty as hers.Any way We love them , and Hopefully Ill be able to find their books soon . Keep up the good work Ladies!! -Amber Woolsey
    Posted by Amber Woolsey on 29/01/2009 03:09:36
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  25. I really enjoy watching the two of you! I love to clean, clean and clean! I just want to know how you can bring yourself in such nice clothes and heels to enter some of those filthy homes. How on earth can people really live like that amazes me.
    Posted by dais on 15/12/2008 05:22:01
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  26. I love the both of you! My Mom and I watch your show all the time. If we aren't home we record it. My Mom calls me Kim and she is Aggie when a cleaning situation arises. I think you are both beautiful and so entertaining. I wish I could get a signed picture of the two of you. My house is always clean but after I watch your show it never fails I have to go try to dig up something to clean haha. By the way , my Mom is shocked that ya'll don't wear masks and protective suits in some of the houses. Thanks for a great show and I wish you two all the best in the world. Keep up the great work! Emily Tennessee,USA
    Posted by Emily on 07/12/2008 10:13:44
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  27. Kim and Aggie, I recenlty dicovered your show on BBC America, and I have to say that I LOVE IT! It usually puts me in a cleaning type mood everyday, and I have used your cleaning ideas around my own home. I get great laughs from kim's no-nonsense humor (i loved it when you told the american comedian to shut his cake hole!!) and Aggie's sweet demeanor (everytime you scream at a mouse it makes me laugh so hard). I just wanted to let you both know that you are wonderful and entertaining and help so many! thank you for all that you do!
    Posted by misty on 21/11/2008 16:37:35
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  28. Mrs. Aggie and Mrs. Kim, I would really like to personally talk with Yous'. I have been watching you rshow for about a year now and in all honesty I have been using each tip and natural cleaner you have both recommended on the shows. But with the allergies and asthma issues here with my littlest and my fiance I really need more help because I feel like I am loosing htis cleaning battle. It is honestly six against one here when it comes to cleaning and doing daily house work and tidying up. thank you so much you two are wonderful.
    Posted by momof5 on 10/11/2008 17:55:06
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  29. Love the show. I'm surprised that you don't wear protective gear, like face masks or even hazmat suits for some of the worst places! Any chance you might market some of your own cleaning products in the near future? I can't find essence of lavender, for instance, and I can tell from to previous posts that you could sell lots of your gloves to your fans. Also, I would love to see you come to America...you can start with my sister's house/hovel! LOL Keep up the good work.
    Posted by Jonna Cook on 21/09/2008 17:52:41
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  30. i live in the USA (alabama) and watch the show as often as posssible and love the gloves that kim and aggie use. i havae looked online and have come to the conlusion that they customize them. however i would like to know how the ladies attatch the feathers and things to the gloves. would appreciate any info
    Posted by john smith on 15/09/2008 19:51:53
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  31. Hi Tina I'll try to find out for you, but I think they're customised!! Glad you like the show!
    Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 02/09/2008 21:49:45
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  32. I live in the USA (Atlanta, Georgia). I watch you show everyday. I really like the cleaning gloves the ladies use. Is it possible for me to obtain a pair? If so, how? Tina Johnson (devoted fan)
    Posted by Tina Johnson on 26/08/2008 23:08:29
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  33. Dear Aggie and Kim, Thank you more than words can say for allowing me to realize that I am not the 'dirtiest begger' in the world and for giving me the incentive and tips to improve my less than pristine abode. I do agree with one of your homeowners that I find just about ANYTHING preferable to housecleaning, but you have given me the practical and very user-friendly tools and hints to make cleaning up less of a torture and my home more liveable and enjoyable. You are both brilliant inspirations...thank you for being everything we 'untidies' are not and helping us rise above the mess. ps-I used many of your cleaning suggestions when I went to help my daughter and her husband in their new old home. They were amazed at how very old stains and grot shifted without the necessity of caustic cleaning agents. This was especially important as my daughter was expecting her first child and could not be exposed to harmful substances. They now have a much cleaner and baby safe environment for their beautiful new baby boy. (It is funny, my own residence is quite cluttered, but I couldn't stop cleaning when it was for the benefit of my daughter and future grandchild) MANY MANY THANKS! ! !
    Posted by wendy woodward on 23/08/2008 21:02:43
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  34. Dear Aggie and Kim, Thank you more than words can say for allowing me to realize that I am not the 'dirtiest begger' in the world and for giving me the incentive and tips to improve my less than pristine abode. I do agree with one of your homeowners that I find just about ANYTHING preferable to housecleaning, but you have given me the practical and very user-friendly tools and hints to make cleaning up less of a torture and my home more liveable and enjoyable. You are both brilliant inspirations...thank you for being everything we 'untidies' are not and helping us rise above the mess. ps-I used many of your cleaning suggestions when I went to help my daughter and her husband in their new old home. They were amazed at how very old stains and grot shifted without the necessity of caustic cleaning agents. This was especially important as my daughter was expecting her first child and could not be exposed to harmful substances. They now have a much cleaner and baby safe environment for their beautiful new baby boy. (It is funny, my own residence is quite cluttered, but I couldn't stop cleaning when it was for the benefit of my daughter and future grandchild) MANY MANY THANKS! ! !
    Posted by wendy woodward on 23/08/2008 20:59:12
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  35. My comment is short and to the point ..I LOVE THIS SHOW!!! You two Ladies are so spot on with these people and there homes. makes me look around my home to be sure that I have hit each nitch and crevie. thank-you for showing the world that cleaning has CLASS!
    Posted by Renee Deal on 22/08/2008 18:33:10
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  36. Dearest Kim and Aggie, you two are my 'heros'. I have been often told I'm to clean. How can that be? I like clean, I have always been clean. So, when I first saw your show on BBC American I was hooked.I just enjoy how you teach people the importance of good cleaning.I enjoy your no-nonsence approach to good habits. I do have a question. Do you burn your clothes after visiting those nasty homes? Your wardrobes are fantastic, and those shoes are to die for! I scream when you walk through those homes. I shout,SAVE THE SHOES! I know you have to look good for the telly, but please don't ruin your clothes.As you may tell,I am a fashion bug as well as a clean-freak.I'm a seamstress by trade and I just hate to see beautiful clothing going into those ugly places. Anyway, when I clean I think of you two and I also hear that dreaming music when I'm done. You do the impossible with your clients flats and houses. Keep up the good work. Cheers to you both. Alice
    Posted by Alice Paul on 09/08/2008 16:34:32
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  37. dear kim and aggie i have never missed an episode of your show and have taped every programme made i have also read kim's book which i found very moving i have since told my friends about it and they to have bought it unfortunatley i have not read aggies yet keep cleaning
    Posted by leona on 05/08/2008 17:57:55
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