Starting a business
How to start a cleaning business, step by step
A cleaning business is one of the simplest businesses to start. You don't need a shop, and you may already own most of the supplies. What separates the cleaners who stay busy from the ones who give up is the business around the cleaning: clear prices, a name people trust and a steady way to find new clients.
Here is the order to do it in.
1. Pick what kind of cleaning you'll do
Start with one kind of cleaning and get known for it. You can add more later.
- House cleaning: regular weekly or every-other-week visits. Steady income once you have a route.
- Deep cleans and move-in or move-out cleans: bigger one-time jobs, often booked by renters, landlords and real estate agents.
- Office and commercial cleaning: after-hours work, longer contracts, usually more paperwork and insurance questions.
- Specialty cleaning: carpets, windows, short-term rental turnovers. These need more equipment but face less competition.
2. Set up the business on paper
Decide whether to run as a sole proprietor or form an LLC, get a free EIN (tax ID) from the IRS if you need one, and open a bank account just for the business. Rules differ by state and city, so check your state's business website or ask an accountant. Our new business checklist lists every step.
Two extras matter in cleaning. Liability insurance covers you if something gets damaged in a client's home. Many cleaners also carry a bond, which protects clients if something goes missing. Saying "insured and bonded" on your website and cards answers the first question most clients have.
3. Work out your prices
Most cleaners price one of three ways: by the hour, by the size of the home (bedrooms and bathrooms), or a flat price per visit. Flat prices are easiest for clients to say yes to. Call or look up three or four cleaners in your area to see what they charge, then decide where you fit.
Write down exactly what a standard clean includes, room by room. It stops arguments before they start, and it makes a great page on your website.
4. Get your supplies
Start small. A vacuum you trust, microfiber cloths, mops, a caddy, and a short list of products that handle most jobs. Buy specialty equipment only when the work calls for it. Keep receipts for everything: supplies are a business expense.
5. Give your business a name and a look
People are letting you into their homes, so trust comes first. A clear name, a clean logo, matching business cards and a magnet or sign on your car tell people you're a real business, not someone from a classifieds ad. Read how to name your business before you order anything printed.
6. Get found online
When someone hears about you, they search your name. Make sure they find:
- A simple website with what each cleaning includes, your area, your starting prices and a quote request form.
- A Google Business Profile, so you show up on Google Maps.
- A business email at your own web address.
See what a cleaning business website should include.
7. Land your first clients
- Tell everyone you know that you're open, and ask them to pass your name on.
- Introduce yourself to real estate agents and property managers. They need move-out cleans all the time.
- Ask every happy client for a Google review. Reviews win more cleaning jobs than anything else.
- Post before and after photos (with the client's OK).
More ideas in how to get your first customers.