How To Start a Cleaning Business in 8 Practical Steps

Looking to start a flexible, low-cost service business that people actually need? Starting a cleaning business doesn’t require a storefront, fancy equipment, or a huge team. All it takes are some basic supplies, a strong work ethic, and a clear game plan. With the global cleaning services market valued at nearly $416 billion in 2024, countless opportunities exist to build your own successful cleaning business in this thriving market.

Whether you want to grow a profitable cleaning business from scratch or develop a lucrative side hustle, learn what types of cleaning companies are out there and discover proven strategies to launch your own cleaning company.

Types of cleaning businesses

Cleaning businesses come in all shapes and sizes, and choosing your specialty is one of the first decisions you’ll need to make. Here are a few ways you can make your mark in the cleaning industry:

• Commercial cleaning. A commercial cleaning service specializes in sprucing up office buildings, warehouses, schools, health care facilities, and other industrial spaces.

• Residential cleaning. These companies provide everyday people with general cleaning of their residential homes—whether a house, apartment, or condo.

• Window cleaning. Someone needs to serve homeowners, landlords, and business owners with large buildings and high windows. Window cleaning companies often have the equipment to clean high-rise windows on suspended platforms.

• Carpet cleaning. These companies offer deep cleaning for carpets, with specialized equipment such as steam cleaners and carpet rakes.

• Green cleaning. Green cleaning refers to companies offering environmentally friendly services by using biodegradable supplies and natural cleaning solutions. You can adopt a green stance whether you offer commercial or house cleaning services.

• Event cleaning. Cleaning businesses can also specialize in cleaning up after events like weddings, festivals, and conferences.

• Post-construction cleaning. These companies focus on working with construction crews to get rid of debris and trash from job sites.

• Move-in and move-out cleaning. These specialists work with landlords, homeowners, property managers, and tenants to handle residential cleaning after occupants move out and before new residents move in.

How to start a cleaning business

1. Research your local market
2. Write a detailed business plan
3. Establish your business structure
4. Get licensed and insured
5. Raise funds
6. Reach out to your target market
7. Set up your website
8. Optimize your online presence

Starting your own cleaning business takes hustle and elbow grease—but with the right approach, you don’t need a big budget to make a real impact. These proven strategies will help you build a thriving business without breaking the bank.

1. Research your local market

Perform market research on cleaning businesses in your target service areas. Make a list of all the cleaning companies in your target market; include as much information as you can gather about them from online research or interviews, including company size and services offered. Identify and define your cleaning company’s unique value proposition (UVP)—a clear statement about the specific value your business will offer customers that competitors don’t.

Complete a competitive analysis by focusing on your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, including unique offerings, target customers, and cleaning prices. What is the market demand for cleaning services in your local market? What’s the ratio between residential and commercial properties? Are there gaps in current cleaning service offerings where your new cleaning company could add value? For example, you might identify a need for specialized services for pet owners, where you use specific hair removal devices and pet-friendly cleaning chemicals.

2. Write a detailed business plan

Create a comprehensive business plan that outlines your cleaning business goals and the specific strategies for achieving them, along with a realistic timeline for implementation.

Include these key components in your business plan: your company description (business name, mission statement, etc.), the cleaning services you plan to offer, and your pricing structure. Your business plan should also include a breakdown of your financials, including projected earnings based on market research and a full budget of costs, including:

• Cleaning supplies

• Transportation costs

• Registration and insurance costs

• Labor expenses

• Equipment costs

• Advertising expenses

• Administrative costs

3. Establish your business structure

Decide on a business structure for your cleaning company. For example, a sole proprietorship might be easiest to set up if you’re the only one operating the cleaning business—but it does come with risks. For better protection, you might establish a limited liability company, which can offer a business owner advantages like personal liability protection and flexible taxation.

4. Get licensed and insured

Research all local regulations, rules, and business licenses required for cleaning service businesses in your local market. Determine what business insurance your cleaning company needs to legally operate in your area. For instance, most cleaning businesses need general liability insurance to cover any potential injuries or property damage, as well as workers’ compensation insurance if you’re planning to hire employees.

5. Raise funds

Startup costs for a cleaning business are fairly low, depending how much equipment and supplies your business requires. If you plan to launch a small cleaning service without any employees, you could potentially self-fund your business with a few hundred dollars for licenses, equipment, and supplies. However, if you plan to purchase industry-grade cleaning equipment for office cleaning or a company-specific vehicle for moving large equipment, consider crowdfunding or applying for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan.

Buy basic cleaning products from a big box store or online marketplace. Here’s a list of the most common supplies you’ll likely need for your business:

• Vacuum cleaner

• All-purpose cleaner spray

• Glass cleaner

• Disinfectants

• Microfiber cloths

• Brooms and dustpans

• Trash bags

• Paper towels

• Rubber gloves

• Buckets and mops

• Dusters

6. Reach out to your target market

Start finding potential customers to hire your cleaning services. Consider starting with your local network by asking friends and family to recommend your services to people they know. Post flyers or brochures for your cleaning service at local businesses and high-traffic areas—think local shopping centers, libraries, and supermarkets.

7. Set up your website

Set up a website for your business using a reliable platform like Shopify, where you can easily install appointment booking apps and set up automated confirmation emails. You can show real-time availability and let customers book time slots through a calendar widget directly on your website.

8. Optimize your online presence

Focus on your local SEO to improve rankings in search results on Google and Bing. When potential clients search for reliable and trustworthy cleaners in your area, you want your business to appear at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs).

Set up your Google Business Profile and include keywords related to your business, services, and area. Once you’re serving clients, provide thorough cleaning service and encourage satisfied customers to post positive reviews on sites like Google and Yelp.

Positive feedback from happy customers can boost your company’s credibility while enhancing your local SEO efforts and putting your business in front of more potential clients searching for cleaning services in your area.