With 3.7 million people liking her TikTok videos, Mbali Nhlapo has become a household name. However, there is more to this young entrepreneur and businesswoman than just viral videos. Mbali is the proud owner of Sisters@work, a prominent cleaning and hygiene service. Her journey into the world of cleaning and creativity started at home in Soweto Diepkloof, South Africa, where her grandmother instilled a deep appreciation for clean spaces.

Who is Mbali Nhlapo outside of #cleantok?

My name is Mbali Nhlapho, and I was born and bred in Soweto Diepkloof, South Africa. I am an entrepreneur and businesswoman, specialising in running a cleaning and hygiene service. In addition to my professional endeavours, I am a sister to four siblings, happily married, and a proud mother of two sons.


When and how did you realise you have a passion for cleaning?

Growing up in a household where cleaning was an absolute necessity and a standard chore, I never had the chance to genuinely realise my passion for it. However, I owe my deep appreciation for clean spaces to my grandmother. She instilled a sense of pride and value in maintaining cleanliness within our home.


CleanTok is known for its positive and informative content. What inspired you to focus on creating clean and uplifting content, and how do you come up with your ideas?

My son recently suggested that I share my cleaning trials on social media after watching me work on different surfaces and with various cleaning products. His idea was to reach a wider audience and help more people benefit from my expertise rather than limiting it to our clients at Sisters@work. I aim to provide informative and uplifting content to my audience. At Sisters@work, I initially researched and performed DIYs and hacks for our clients. I made sure to stick to the content I was familiar with and resist the urge to engage in trends. It was also crucial to ensure the credibility and reliability of my posted content.


Tell us more about Sisters@Work

Sisters@work is a cleaning service I started in 2017 after leaving a career in sales and marketing. Initially, the service primarily catered to the household and office sectors, focusing on cleaning small to medium-sized homes. However, Sisters@work has experienced substantial growth over the years, mainly due to referrals. As a result, the company has evolved into one of the leading players in estate home cleaning. We currently have more than 50 employees and recently added the training of housekeepers to the overall offering.

Inspiration to start Sisters@work came from the need from people for the service. These people asked for the service after I had asked them to assist me with a nanny for my sister-in-law, who was returning to work after her maternity leave. This answers the second part of your question. It came about from a request from my sister-in-law for help with finding a nanny. These and further requests, coupled with my love for cleaning, were why Sisters@work was started.


What has sharing tips on TikTok done for your business as it has changed the game for CleanTok?

Sharing tips on TikTok has done wonders for the business as it exposed the business to more clients who want hacks, tricks, and DIYs to be done in their homes. This, in turn, has prompted re-training for our staff, who now have to learn how to do what I do on digital platforms.

What are two cleaning hacks that people are surprised at when they work?

The two amongst many would be.

1. The sneaker whitening hack and

2. The Water-stain on wood removal hack.