Meet Kaitlyn Martin and Shelly Schoff, Annapolis natives, moms, and the mother-daughter team behind our favorite local cleaning company, Crabtown Cleaning!
Shelly and her husband raised their family in Annapolis, knowing it was the perfect place to put down roots. After Kaitlyn graduated from college in West Palm Beach, she returned home and now lives locally with her husband and three young boys. Crabtown Cleaning was inspired by Kaitlyn’s grandmother, who struggled with her health and found real comfort in having a clean home. Wanting to honor her, Kaitlyn and Shelly built a business rooted in valuing people - both clients and employees - and giving back through initiatives like donating house cleanings to families in need. Their mission is simple: help homes feel calm, cared for, and supported.
Crabtown Cleaning is a local, women-owned business serving Anne Arundel County and recently expanded to Kent Island on the Eastern Shore. Their professionally trained team offers residential and commercial cleanings, move-in/move-out services, janitorial cleanings, and recurring weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or one-time options. Each cleaning technician completes extensive and ongoing training, and the team uses eco-friendly products that are safe for kids and pets.
Tell us a little bit about you and your family! Where did you grow up? How long have you lived in Maryland? How many kids do you have?
Kaitlyn: I was born and raised here in Annapolis. I’m 28 years old and lived here my whole life. I spent 4 years in West Palm Beach, FL for college, but moved back a week after graduating. I graduated from high school from AACS (Annapolis Area Christian School), where I met my husband, but we did not date in high school! We have 3 boys together (4,2, 7 months), and I LOVE being a mom.
Shelly: I grew up in Maryland and have spent most of my life here. I love this area and the community, and it’s truly home for us. My family and I have been here for many years now, and we’re raising our two kids here. Family is a huge part of my life, and everything we do—both personally and professionally—really centers around creating a good life for them.
Tell us all about Crabtown Cleaning! What makes you different from other cleaning companies?
Kaitlyn: Crabtown Cleaning is a locally owned and operated business, and women-owned. We use eco-friendly products.
Shelly: Crabtown Cleaning is a locally owned residential cleaning company that helps busy families keep their homes clean, calm, and running smoothly. We offer recurring cleanings, deep cleans, and move-in/move-out services with a trained, professional team. What makes us different is that we focus just as much on people as we do on homes. We invest heavily in training and leadership, care deeply about our team and our community, and deliver consistent, trustworthy service. Our goal is simple: give our clients peace of mind and make their lives easier.
What’s the biggest lesson you learned starting a cleaning business?
Kaitlyn: Something I never really understood before was what marketing is or could do. But since starting Crabtown I have gained a LOVE for marketing. Marketing plays SUCH an important part in your business - and it can be so much fun.
Shelly: The number one lesson I’ve learned is that this business is really about people, not cleaning. Systems and processes matter, but everything rises and falls on having the right team, training them well, and supporting them consistently. When you take care of your people, they take care of your clients — and that’s what truly builds a great company.
What inspired you to start a cleaning company together?
Kaitlyn: My inspiration comes from my grandmother who passed shortly before starting the business. She spent many years struggling with her health and the one thing that brought her joy was having a clean home. She would have LOVED to have someone to come clean her home. When we started the business we knew we wanted to also give back which is how we got involved in cleaning for a reason so that we could donate cleanings to individuals and families like my grandmother who all she wanted was her house cleaned.
Shelly: We were inspired to start a cleaning company because we wanted to build a business that truly values people — both clients and employees — and helps families feel calm and cared for in their homes. It’s been amazing to grow something that reflects our values and passion for helping others.
If you could clean one celebrity’s house, who would it be and why?
Kaitlyn: Thomas Rhett
Shelly: Lauren Akins OR Lainey Wilson
Do you have any “trade secret” cleaning tips you swear by?
Kaitlyn: Clean with eco-friendly products so when your kids lick the glass front door (which they will) you’re not having anxiety about chemicals.
Shelly: Absolutely! One of my go-to tips is to always clean from top to bottom — start with dusting high surfaces before moving to floors — so you don’t have to redo anything.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Kaitlyn: I’m a HUGE Disney fan. I LOVE Disney world specifically and never get tired of Disney movies. My favorite princess is Ariel. When I was little I wanted red hair so bad to be just like her.
Shelly: One thing people might be surprised to know about me is that I’m really into mindfulness and intentional living. I try to bring that same focus and calm into everything I do — whether it’s running a business, managing my family, or even just cleaning a home. It’s amazing how much it changes your perspective and energy.
Name something you hope your children look back and remember about their childhood and you as their mama.
Kaitlyn: I hope my children remember how special and loved they are.
Shelly: I would like my children to always remember all the family vacations we took together as well as all the time we spent together as a family whether its going somewhere special for dinner or just out for some recreational fun.
Best advice for mom guilt.
Kaitlyn: Oh gosh, when I figure that out I will definitely share with the world. I am so freshly postpartum that I have it every day. I think my biggest advice (what I share with my friends) is that you’re going to get it but don’t let it consume you because it doesn’t have to keep you from doing whatever it is that guilt is trying to keep you from doing.
Shelly: You have to give yourself grace and remember that life comes in seasons — some are difficult, some are challenging — but they all pass. It’s important to let yourself enjoy the moments you have now and not get too caught up in stress.
What have you learned from your children?
Kaitlyn: Love hard and love big. My boys are such sweet loving kids. They give hugs and smiles to everyone. They really know how to brighten a room and make everyone feel loved.
Shelly: My children have taught me so much about patience, perspective, and the little joys in life. They remind me to slow down, appreciate the moment, and approach challenges with curiosity and creativity. Honestly, they inspire me every day to be a better parent, person, and even business owner.
The greatest gift about being a mom.
Kaitlyn: Getting to watch them grow and do new things. Just last night I came across a video of my oldest at maybe 1 and it reminded me how much he has grown and it just made me feel so proud of how much all my babies have grown.
Shelly: Watch them grow up to develop their own personalities and opinions. It makes me so proud the people my kids have grown up to become as well as seeing my grandbabies grow up.
Who has most influenced you to be the mom you are today?
Kaitlyn: My mom (and my grandmas who would have LOVED to meet my babies and see me as a mom).
Shelly: My Mom Linda, she is the one who always inspired me while raising my children and still to this day I appreciate everything I learned from her.
We love supporting local businesses! What are your favorite places in the area to:
Get coffee:
Kaitlyn: Rise Up (especially the St Michael's one - we need a drive through one here!)
Shelly: Rise Up
Go on a date night:
Kaitlyn: Amalfi Coast in Stevensville
Shelly: Stoney River Steakhouse at the Annapolis Mall
Go out for a girls’ night:
Kaitlyn: Tsunami in DTA
Shelly: Mothers right off Richie Highway in Arnold
Go out to dinner as a family:
Kaitlyn: Ledo Pizza
Shelly: Sakura in Annapolis next to Staples
Shop for your kids:
Kaitlyn: Dream baby decor. I’m obsessed with them!
Shelly: Franklin Toys
Have fun as a family:
Kaitlyn: Anything water related or golf (swimming, fishing, hunting)
Shelly: Top Golf
Give back to the community: cleaning for a reason!
Want to meet other parents like Kaitlyn and Shelly? See all the Meet a Mom + Meet a Dad profiles!
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Crabtown Cleaning is a locally owned business offering professional cleaning services in Annapolis and throughout Anne Arundel County. Our focus is on exceeding customer expectations by providing quality and reliable service. We believe the heart of our business is our customers. We strive to meet each client’s individual needs through open communication and frequent feedback. Our team values your input and we encourage you to help us develop a unique cleaning plan tailored for your home, office, or workplace.
We are dedicated to hiring outstanding team members and providing ongoing training to ensure our teams perform at the highest level of industry standards. We appreciate the trust you place in us and take our responsibility to screen employees seriously. All prospective hires undergo a thorough background check, complete an extensive training program, and are bonded and insured. Our standard cleaning packages include basic cleaning, deep cleaning, and move-in or out packages. We can also customize any package to fit your individual needs. We offer weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and one-time cleanings. Our work is 100% guaranteed and you can cancel your service at anytime.
At Crabtown Cleaning, we are committed to our environment and our community. We choose environmentally friendly cleaning products to minimize our impact on the environment. We are also involved in our local community and support many charities, including Cleaning For A Reason.
Crabtown Cleaning
801 Compass Way | Suite 209 | Annapolis, MD 21401
Get a free quote or book a cleaning service
(use code AnneArundelMoms for $40 off your 1st clean!)
We are committed to building our business one satisfied customer at a time. Contact us at 410-279-1857 or fill out this form for a FREE estimate!
