How to Start a Cleaning Business From Scratch

Ever thought about turning your cleaning skills into a profitable business that you can run from the comfort of your own home? Well, you're in for a treat! I've spent years in this industry helping countless aspiring entrepreneurs transform their cleaning know-how into thriving businesses. And let me tell you, it's one of the most accessible and profitable ventures you can start with minimal investment.

Look, I get it. The idea of starting any business can feel overwhelming. But trust me, a cleaning business is different. You don't need fancy degrees, massive loans , or complicated equipment. What you do need is a solid plan, attention to detail, and the willingness to roll up your sleeves (at least in the beginning).

In this guide, I'm going to walk you through every single step of starting your own cleaning business from home. No fluff, no BS - just practical, actionable advice that you can implement today to start generating income within weeks, not months or years. Ready to start? Let's get started!

Why Start a Cleaning Business from Home?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, let's talk about why a cleaning business is such a fantastic opportunity, especially in 2025:

• Low startup costs: You can literally start with under $500 in many cases

• No special education required: No degree? No problem!

• Flexible schedule: Work when you want, especially as you grow

• Recession-resistant: People and businesses always need cleaning services

• Scalable: Start solo, then grow to a team of 10+ if you want

• Remote potential: Eventually, you can run it entirely from home

Here's what most people don't tell you though - cleaning businesses can be WILDLY profitable. I'm talking potential six-figure income even as a solo operation. And once you scale? The sky's the limit.

Planning Your Cleaning Business

Alright, first things first - you need a solid business plan. And I don't mean a fancy 50-page business plan that nobody will ever read. I mean a clear vision of what you want your cleaning business to become.

Choose Your Cleaning Niche

One mistake I see new cleaning business owners make is trying to be everything to everyone. Big mistake! Instead, pick a specific niche, especially when starting out:

• Residential cleaning: Regular house cleaning for homeowners or renters

• Commercial cleaning: Office buildings, retail spaces, banks (my personal favorite)

• Specialized cleaning: Post-construction, medical facilities, schools

• Vacation rental cleaning: Airbnb, VRBO properties (fast-growing niche)

• Eco-friendly cleaning: Using only green products (premium pricing potential)

My advice? Start with either residential or small commercial cleaning. They're the easiest to break into and require the least specialized equipment. Once you've mastered one area, you can expand.

Set Clear Business Goals

What do you want from this business? Write it down! Seriously, grab a piece of paper right now and answer these questions:

1. Do I want this to be a side hustle or my full-time income?

2. How much money do I want/need to make each month?

3. Do I want to clean myself or eventually hire others?

4. What hours am I willing to work?

5. What's my 1-year and 3-year vision for the business?

Having these goals written down will guide every decision you make moving forward. Trust me, this simple exercise has saved me from countless mistakes in my own business journey.

Legal Setup and Business Formation

Now for the "official" stuff. Don't worry - it's not as complicated as it sounds!

Choose and Register Your Business Name

Your business name matters, but don't get stuck in analysis paralysis. Here's what I recommend:

• Keep it simple and clear (e.g., "Pristine Home Cleaning" or "Metro Office Cleaners")

• Make it easy to spell and remember

• Ensure it clearly states what you do

• Check if the domain name is available

• Search your state's business registry to ensure it's not already taken

Once you've picked a name, you'll need to register it. This usually happens when you choose your business structure.

Select Your Business Structure

For most new cleaning businesses, you have two main options:

1. Sole Proprietorship with DBA (Doing Business As): Simplest to set up, but offers no personal liability protection. You and your business are the same legal entity.

2. Single-Member LLC (Limited Liability Company): More paperwork but provides personal liability protection. Your personal assets are separate from business liabilities.

My take? If you're just testing the waters, start as a sole proprietor. It's faster and cheaper. But once you're making regular income, switch to an LLC for protection. That's what I did, and it saved me a MASSIVE headache when a client tried to sue over alleged damage to an antique table (that was already damaged when I got there).

Get Your EIN and Business License

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is basically a social security number for your business. It's free to get through the IRS website and takes about 5 minutes.

For your business license, requirements vary by location. Google "[your city/county] business license requirements" or call your local city hall. The cost typically ranges from $50-$200.

Insurance - Don't Skip This!

I cannot stress this enough - DO NOT operate without insurance! You need at minimum:

• General Liability Insurance: Covers property damage, bodily injury, etc.

• Bonding (optional but recommended): Protects clients against theft

For a small cleaning operation, expect to pay $500-$1,200 per year for a good policy. Worth every penny for the peace of mind alone.

Financial Planning and Startup Costs

One of the best things about starting a cleaning business? The startup costs are ridiculously low compared to most other businesses!

Typical Startup Costs

Here's a realistic breakdown of what you might spend to get started:

Item	Low End	High End
Basic Cleaning Supplies	$150	$400
Business Registration	$50	$300
Insurance (1st month)	$50	$150
Business Cards/Basic Marketing	$50	$200
Website Domain & Email	$20	$100
Uniforms/Professional Attire	$50	$200
TOTAL	$370	$1,350

See what I mean? You could literally start this business with the money in your savings account. Compare that to franchises that can cost $10,000-$50,000 to start!

Setting Up Business Banking

Don't mix personal and business finances - it's a recipe for tax nightmares! Open a separate business checking account as soon as you register your business. Many banks offer free business checking for small businesses.

For payment processing, I recommend setting up multiple options:

• Cash: Always welcome, but less common these days

• Check: Great for regular clients

• Credit Cards: Square, PayPal, or Stripe (clients love this option)

• Electronic Transfers: Zelle, Venmo for Business, etc.

Essential Equipment and Supplies

Now for the fun part - shopping for your cleaning arsenal! Here's what you'll need to get started:

Basic Cleaning Supply Checklist

• Cleaning Solutions:

  • All-purpose cleaner

  • Glass cleaner

  • Bathroom cleaner/disinfectant

  • Floor cleaner appropriate for various surfaces

  • Furniture polish

• Tools and Equipment:

  • Microfiber cloths (different colors for different areas)

  • Mop and bucket system

  • Vacuum cleaner (residential or commercial grade)

  • Extension poles for dusting high areas

  • Scrub brushes of various sizes

  • Spray bottles

  • Rubber gloves

  • Trash bags

• Professional Image Items:

  • Cleaning caddy or cart

  • Professional attire (polo shirts, khakis)

  • ID badge

  • Shoe covers (for residential jobs)

Pro tip: Don't go crazy buying equipment right away. Start with the basics, then reinvest your earnings into better equipment as you grow. That $500 vacuum will make more sense after you've got steady clients!

Commercial vs. Consumer Products

When I first started, I made the mistake of using regular household products from the grocery store. Big mistake! Commercial cleaning products are:

• More concentrated (cheaper per use)

• More effective (better results)

• Designed for professional use (faster work)

Consider shopping at janitorial supply stores or even online at places Amazon Business . The investment will pay off in efficiency and results.

Developing Your Pricing Strategy

Pricing is where most new cleaning business owners get it wrong. They either:

• Price too low (can't make a profit)

• Price too high (can't get clients)

• Have inconsistent pricing (looks unprofessional)

Let's solve this problem once and for all.

Pricing Models

You have three main options:

1. Hourly Rate: Charging by the hour (e.g., $35-75/hour)

2. Flat Rate: Charging by the job (e.g., $150 for a 3-bed house)

3. Square Footage: Charging by size (e.g., $0.10-0.20/sq ft for commercial)

For residential cleaning, I recommend starting with hourly while you learn, then transitioning to flat rates once you know your timing. For commercial, square footage pricing is industry standard.

Setting Your Rates

 

Here's a simple formula I use:

(Your desired hourly wage + overhead costs + profit margin) ÷ efficiency rate = hourly rate

Let's break that down:

• Desired wage: What you want to make per hour (e.g., $25)

• Overhead: Business costs per working hour (e.g., $10)

• Profit margin: Extra for business growth (e.g., 20% or $7)

• Efficiency rate: Productive time vs. total time (typically 0.85 or 85%)

So: ($25 + $10 + $7) ÷ 0.85 = $49.41 per hour

Round up to $50/hour as your base rate. Then adjust based on:

• Your local market rates

• The difficulty of the job

• Special circumstances (pets, extreme conditions)

Proven Marketing Strategies

Now comes the part that makes or breaks your business - getting clients! The good news? You don't need a massive marketing budget to get started.

Local Marketing Tactics That Work

I've tried countless marketing strategies over the years. Here are the ones that consistently deliver results for new cleaning businesses:

1. Google Business Profile: Set up and optimize your free Google listing . This is ESSENTIAL in 2025!

2. Door-to-Door: Old school but effective. Create a simple flyer and target upscale neighborhoods or small business districts.

3. Referral Program: Offer existing clients 10-15% off for referring new customers.

4. Partnership Marketing: Team up with complementary businesses like real estate agents, property managers, or home service providers.

5. Nextdoor App : Create a business profile and engage with local community questions.

Online Marketing Essentials

While you don't need a fancy website right away, you should establish these basics:

• Simple Website: Even a one-page site with your services, about section, and contact info

• Google Business Profile: Complete with photos, services, and contact info

• Social Proof: Collect and showcase testimonials and reviews

• Facebook Business Page: Post before/after photos (with permission)

Focus on getting Google reviews early! Nothing builds credibility faster than a stack of 5-star reviews from happy clients.

Landing Your First Clients

Be prepared to hustle at first. Here's my recommended approach:

1. Start with friends, family, and neighbors - offer a discount for being "guinea pigs"

2. Ask for honest feedback and testimonials

3. Take before/after photos (with permission)

4. Request referrals and reviews

5. Use those initial successes to market to similar prospects

Remember - one great client who loves you can turn into 3-5 more through referrals. Focus on providing exceptional service rather than constant marketing.

Hiring and Growth Strategies

Once you've established a solid client base, you'll face a critical decision: continue working solo or start building a team. If you want real growth (and eventually to run this business remotely from home), you need to hire.

When to Make Your First Hire

You're ready to hire your first team member when:

• You're consistently turning down new business

• You're working more hours than you want

• You have stable, recurring revenue

• You can afford to pay someone for at least 10-15 hours/week

Employees vs. Independent Contractors

You have two main options:

Employees	Independent Contractors
You withhold taxes	They handle their own taxes
More control over work	They control how work is done
More administrative work	Less paperwork
Higher administrative costs	Lower administrative costs
May be more loyal	More flexibility

My recommendation? Start with independent contractors (properly classified according to IRS guidelines) and transition to employees as you grow. This reduces initial risk and complexity.

Finding Reliable Cleaning Staff

This can be challenging but is absolutely crucial. My best sources for finding great team members:

1. Referrals from current clients or friends

2. Local Facebook community groups

3. Indeed.com (paid, but effective)

4. Craigslist (hit or miss, be careful)

5. Local community colleges

Always conduct background checks and call references. And trust your gut - if something feels off during the interview, move on to the next candidate.

Training Your Team

Consistency is everything in cleaning. Develop simple, repeatable systems:

• Create detailed cleaning checklists for each type of job

• Develop a training manual with photos/videos

• Use the same products and color-coding system across all jobs

• Implement quality control checks (spot inspections)

• Create a feedback loop for continuous improvement

Building a Remote Operation

This is where the magic happens - transitioning from hands-on cleaner to business owner who works from home. This is how you scale to six figures and beyond while reclaiming your time.

The Three Phases of Remote Management

1. Phase 1: Working WITH your team - You're still cleaning but have help

2. Phase 2: Supervision and quality control - You stop cleaning but still go to job sites

3. Phase 3: Full remote operation - You manage everything from home

Essential Systems for Remote Operations

To successfully run your cleaning business from home, you need these systems in place:

• Client Management: Software like Jobber, Service Fusion, or even Monday.com

• Team Communication: WhatsApp Business, Slack, or similar platform

• Quality Control: Photo verification and occasional spot checks

• Automated Scheduling: Let clients book online

• Digital Payment Processing: No more collecting checks in person

• Virtual Phone System: Professional call handling without your personal number

My personal recommendation? Start with Jobber - it handles scheduling, invoicing, client management, and team coordination in one platform. Worth every penny once you have 5+ regular clients.

Common Questions and Challenges

Let's address some of the questions and challenges you're likely to face:

How much can I realistically make?

The numbers vary widely, but here's what's realistic:

• Solo operator: $40,000-$75,000 per year

• Small team (2-5 people): $100,000-$250,000 per year

• Larger operation (6+ people): $250,000+ per year

These figures represent revenue - your profit will depend on your expenses and efficiency.

How do I handle difficult clients?

Every cleaning business deals with challenging clients. My approach:

1. Set clear expectations in writing from day one

2. Document everything with photos when needed

3. Address concerns promptly and professionally

4. Don't be afraid to part ways with truly problematic clients

Remember - not every client is a good fit, and that's okay. As you grow, you can be more selective.

What about competition from big companies?

Big cleaning franchises have advantages (brand recognition, resources) but also weaknesses:

• They're often more expensive

• They typically provide less personalized service

• They have higher staff turnover

• They're less flexible with scheduling and special requests

Use these weaknesses to your advantage. Position yourself as the local, attentive alternative that provides superior service at a competitive price.

Taking Action: Your Next Steps

We've covered a lot! But knowledge without action is pretty useless. So here's what to do next:

Your 30-Day Launch Plan

1. Days 1-7: Research your market, choose your niche, write your business plan

2. Days 8-14: Handle legal setup (name, structure, EIN, insurance quotes)

3. Days 15-21: Purchase initial supplies, set up basic marketing (Google Business, simple website or social profiles)

4. Days 22-30: Secure your first 2-3 clients (even if friends/family), deliver exceptional service, ask for reviews and referrals

And there you have it - in just 30 days, you can go from reading this article to operating your own cleaning business. The key is to START. Don't get caught in analysis paralysis or wait for "perfect" conditions.

The cleaning industry isn't going anywhere, and the demand for quality cleaning services continues to grow. Will it be challenging? Absolutely. Will it be worth it? If you follow this guide and put in the work - 100% yes.

So what are you waiting for? Your cleaning business journey starts now. And I'm rooting for you every step of the way!

Got questions about starting your cleaning business? Drop them in the comments - I'd love to help!