How to Start a Cleaning Business: 2025 Guide and Checklist 

1. Get to know your local market

Start by determining whether you’d like to focus on residential (house cleaning), or if you want to be a commercial cleaning business that serves other businesses in your local area.

• Residential cleaning might be a good fit if you work alone and want to clean smaller spaces (although you can do it with a team, too). You’ll most likely have at least a dozen homes that you clean every week or two, and you’ll get paid right after you finish a visit.
• Commercial cleaning requires a larger team to clean offices and retail spaces, as well as a vehicle to transport yourself and your supplies to the business’s location. However, you should only need a few regularly paying cleaning contracts to stay profitable.

Your service area may also dictate the whether you offer residential or commercial services. For example, if you’re targeting a downtown area, offering commercial cleaning will expand your pool of potential customers.

READ MORE: How to start a commercial cleaning business

When you’re deciding what type of cleaning business to run, you’ll need to understand the local market. Here are a few ways to do that:

• Google “residential/commercial cleaning businesses near me” and look at top competitor websites, pricing pages, and local reviews.
• Ask neighbors or local business owners about their experiences with cleaners or cleaning services. Ask what made their experiences great, and dig into any areas for improvement.
• Figure out who your ideal customers are and what they’re looking for. Do they want only basic cleaning services? Or are they looking for higher-end cleaning experiences?
• Look for any gaps in cleaning services and think about how your company can fill them. For example, if there’s no local option for upholstery cleaning, but neighbors or community members need that service, this is an easy way to meet that market need.

Once you know which type of cleaning business you want to operate, you’ll have a better idea of what cleaning services you should provide to your clients.

READ MORE: Learn how to create a residential cleaning business plan in 8 steps

2. Choose what cleaning services you’ll offer

Your cleaning business can offer a wide variety of services for clients. Here are some types of cleaning services you can provide:

• Basic residential cleaning
• Deep cleaning
• Maid service
• Spring or seasonal cleaning
• Sanitization services
• Move-out cleaning
• New home or construction cleaning
• Dishwashing
• Laundry services
• Eco-cleaning services

You could also offer one-off specialized cleaning services that give clients more flexibility.

Specialty add-ons can include cleaning business ideas like:

• Upholstery cleaning
• Carpet cleaning
• Window cleaning
• Pool cleaning
• Pressure washing
• Gutter cleaning

When you create your cleaning services list, look at competitors’ websites to see what they offer. This shows you which services are missing in your service area—and what you can offer to stand out.

Competitive research also tells you what services are in demand. A higher-income residential area might be interested in maid service, while a lower-income area may only need occasional deep cleaning.

Start small with just a few core options for your final services list. Think short and long term—what can you do now, and what can you do later when you have more money to invest?

Whatever services you offer, make sure you can do them well. Practice at home or in the homes of friends and family, and see how quickly you can work while maintaining a high level of quality.

READ MORE:How to create a winning cleaning business plan

3. Register your company name and choose a business structure

Next, you’ll need to register your cleaning business name with your local government. Here’s how to register your business depending on which country you’re in:

• United States: Make sure nobody else in the state is using your name, then trademark it and register your domain name.
• Canada: Does your business have the same name as you? If so, you don’t need to register it. But if not, register the trade name and trademark it to protect your brand.
• United Kingdom: Set up as a sole trader or business partnership, check your name availability, search for a trademark, and register your company name and business.
• Australia: If your business isn’t using your personal name, you’ll need to register your business name through the Business Registration Service, ASIC, or a private service provider.

Part of the registration process is deciding what your business structure will be:

• If you’re in the U.S. and you want complete control over your business, you might want to register as a sole proprietorship. However, being a sole proprietor means you’re also fully responsible for the business from a legal perspective—for example, if a client or employee ever sues your business—so be aware of that.
• If you’re opening your cleaning business with two or more people, you’ll have to register as a partnership.
• A limited liability company (LLC) is best for medium or higher-risk cleaning businesses. It protects your personal assets and separates them from the company.
• A corporation sets up your business separately from yourself and provides the strongest liability protection. That said, the cost of incorporating is higher than other types of business structures, and corporations require detailed records and reporting.

When you’re registering, you’ll need an employment identification number (EIN) for federal tax purposes if you have employees, operate as a corporation or partnership, or have a Keogh retirement plan as a self-employed person.

Depending on the location, your city or state may require similar business identification to file taxes in your area.

Pro Tip: Not sure what the local ordinances and regulations are for your cleaning business? Just Google “YOUR CITY NAME + business laws”.

READ MORE:Should I incorporate my small business?

4. Get a business license

You must have a business license before you start cleaning. This is what legally allows you to run your business. Without a license, you can face serious consequences (including fines and legal action).

Apply for a business license through your city’s business development department and provide information about your company, like its structure and the services you provide.

You’ll likely pay an up-front licensing cost, which varies depending on where you live. You’ll also need to renew this license in your city or county every year and pay the same fee at that time.

Need a business license but not sure where to start? Check out our guide to getting your cleaning business license in each state.

5. Get cleaning business insurance

When it comes to protecting your business and your future employees, cleaning insurance is non-negotiable.

The last thing you want as a new entrepreneur is to accidentally cause damage to a client’s home and not have insurance. In this scenario, you risk getting into debt when you cover the property damage out of pocket.

Your policy gives you peace of mind without costing too much. There are different types of insurance available, with variations based on your assets and the level of protection your business needs.

Consider getting a cleaning insurance policy that includes:

• General liability insurance
• Health insurance
• Vehicle insurance
• Business owners’ policy
• Workers’ compensation
• Employment practices liability

Shop around for the right insurance plan for your business and check out various providers in your area. Some cleaning business owners recommend using Thimble or Next Insurance.

6. Set up accounting and bookkeeping

You can’t run your business out of your personal bank account. Get a business bank account where you can accept payments and monitor cash flow separately from your personal assets.

From there, create an expense budget for purchases, equipment, gas, marketing, and any additional overhead. This is the budget you’ll stick to every month. Don’t worry, you can adjust over time if you need to!

One of the most important expenses is your own personal paycheck. Decide what you’ll be paid, then set up an automatic bi-weekly withdrawal so you can pay yourself from your profits. Do the same for employees or subcontractors if you have them.

Use accounting software to track your income and expenses so you can report accurately when it’s time to file your taxes. Depending on where you live and work, you’ll follow these avenues:

• United States: You’ll file business taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
• Canada: Go through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to file your business taxes.
• United Kingdom: The UK offers the Companies House online portal for you to send your company tax return.
• Australia: Lodge your business taxes with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

READ MORE:30 small business tax deductions to save money when filing

7. Stock cleaning supplies and equipment

While starting a residential cleaning business is a low-cost venture, you’ll need to buy items from this cleaning equipment list before your first job.

Here’s a sample checklist of cleaning supplies you might need:

• Face mask
• Rubber or latex gloves
• Trash bags
• Paper towels
• Sponges
• Cleaning towels or rags
• Microfiber cloths
• Scrubbing brushes
• Duster
• Extendable pole
• Vacuum cleaner
• Broom and dustpan
• Mop and bucket
• Bleach or disinfectant
• All-purpose cleaning solution
• Soap scum removal cleaner
• Toilet cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Spray bottle

Consider visiting a janitorial store and asking their staff what cleaning products they recommend. They know the ins and outs of the cleaning industry and can give you a list of the best products to use.

That said, you don’t have to get brand-name cleaning supplies, either. Head over to your local dollar store and get the generic versions of your favorite supplies for a much lower price.

8. Learn how to price your cleaning services and estimate jobs

It’s time to decide how much to charge for house cleaning or commercial cleaning services. Follow these steps to set your prices:

1. Research how much your top competitors charge for the same services, just to get a range for what’s expected in your area.
2. Within that range, determine the highest and lowest amount your ideal clients would pay for a specific cleaning service.
3. Choose a pricing structure, whether that’s hourly rate, flat rate, room rate, square foot rate, or specialty service rate.
4. Calculate how much the job will cost based on your pricing structure, including your cleaner salary, overhead, and taxes.
5. Factor in your profit margin and markup to ensure you’re making money from each visit.
6. Create an estimate using a free cleaning estimate template and send it to your client.

You can also use our free house cleaning cost calculator to accurately price out your cleaning visits and keep your work profitable.

9. Market your cleaning business and get your first customers

Marketing is essential for attracting potential clients and getting your first jobs. It might sound challenging if you aren’t a marketing expert, but don’t worry—you’ll get the hang of it quickly.

Try a few of these ideas to start drawing attention to your new venture:

• Create a strong business brand. Part of being a professional business is looking the part, from your business logo, signage, uniforms, and online presence. Building a strong brand will help you generate more trust with new clients.
• Use your personal network. Tell family and friends about your cleaning business and get them in as your first clients (don’t forget to ask them to spread the word, too!)
• Print off business cards and always carry some with you. You can hand them out at events, while networking with other business owners, or even in line at the grocery store.
• Deliver door hangers or cleaning flyers to residents in your desired service area. You can also leave these behind at nearby homes or businesses when you’ve finished a job.
• Referral programs are also helpful for encouraging cleaning clients to recommend your business to others. You can thank them with a service discount or other incentive.
• Add a vehicle wrap to your car so it becomes a moving billboard. Park it in public spaces so people passing by will learn about your business.
• Connect with local realtors and see if you can partner with them to provide move-in and move-out cleaning services.
• Attend a Business Networking International meeting. Your first meeting is free, and you’ll get to give out business cards to other entrepreneurs who want to help you succeed.

If you start a commercial cleaning business, cold call businesses you’d like to work with. Be prepared for many potential clients to say no, but the handful that say yes will be worth the effort.

10. Learn how to manage your cleaning business and client relationships

The key to running a successful cleaning business is to manage it well and keep your clients happy. Here’s how cleaning software like Jobber can help you run your business every day:

• Get new business: Potential clients can contact you through the online booking form on your website. This gives you all the information you need to get in touch and talk about job details (e.g., size of space, type of cleaning, frequency of cleaning).
• Manage clients: Every residential and commercial client has information associated with their jobs. Store all of those details in Jobber’s CRM, including their name, address, contact information, and service needs.
• Send quotes: Create a quote with custom line items for all your cleaning services and email it to the client. You can automatically send a customized follow-up if you don’t hear from the client in a while.
• Manage jobs: When a client approves your quote, convert it into a job and schedule the job in your calendar. Later, when you get to the job site, use a house cleaning checklist on the mobile app to remember every task and help you provide consistent service.
• Communicate with clients: Send a reminder text or confirmation email a day or two before the cleaning. You can also follow up after the job, ask the client to book their next visit, and request a review on Google or Yelp. (Bonus tip: listen to their feedback, provide great customer service, and address any concerns to maintain your good reputation.)
• Invoice clients: With user-friendly invoicing software, you can send an invoice when each cleaning job is complete. Use a cleaning invoice template to make the process even faster and easier.
• Get paid: For repeat clients who get recurring cleaning services, you can offer automated payments through a credit card on file using a tool like Jobber Payments. You’ll get paid almost four times faster than if you collected manual payments by check.

11. Hire and train cleaners so you can grow

Once the work picks up and becomes too much to manage on your own, it’s time to branch out and start hiring cleaners. This ensures your business can provide a consistent level of service, even if you get sick or aren’t available.

The process of recruiting, interviewing, and screening applicants can feel daunting, but bringing on new team members is a proven way to expand your business.

Here’s how to approach the process so that it’s beneficial for you and your future team:

• Figure out who your ideal employee is, what they need from a job, and where you can find them.
• Write a house cleaner job description so you (and your future employee) understand the role and responsibilities.
• Create a job posting and share it on job-finding websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, or other places where your ideal employee spends time.
• When you start getting applications, shortlist the best ones and interview the candidates. Include a paid audition as part of your hiring process to see how candidates work.
• Hire the best candidate for the job and do your best to keep them on the team.

Invest time and effort in training cleaners so they’re prepared to work out in the field. Tools like job checklists, employee handbooks, and regular evaluations will help you keep your cleaners’ skills sharp.