How Clean Is Your House: About Kim | 4Homes

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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Comments

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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