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14 cleaning business ideas to start today

Rebecca Tomasis

cleaning business ideas

Cleaning businesses play a crucial role in maintaining a hygienic and organized work and home environment for their clients. With various cleaning business ideas, these businesses can offer a variety of services ranging from regular janitorial tasks to specialized cleaning solutions.


Starting a cleaning business can be an extremely lucrative venture, allowing you the flexibility to cater your hours (and income) to your lifestyle. Cleaning services are also in consistent demand, making it a good recession-proof business idea. 



14 cleaning business ideas


When starting a business, it’s important to find the right niche. Here are eleven cleaning business ideas to help you find your corner of the market.






01. Office cleaning services


You can offer comprehensive cleaning solutions for offices, including janitorial services, floor cleaning and sanitation. These kinds of services are usually on a long contract basis, meaning consistent business and income. 



cleaning business ideas - commercial and office cleaning



02. Carpet cleaning


Specialize in deep cleaning and maintenance of carpets for businesses, homes and other facilities. Sometimes specializing in a hyper-specific area can help you establish a good reputation and make you the go-to referral for others who need the same services. 



03. Industrial cleaning


Provide cleaning services for industrial facilities, addressing unique challenges such as machinery cleaning, grease removal and more. This may be a less competitive service to offer, meaning it might be easier to attract a consistent clientele. However, it may also require a certain degree of specialized skill and experience when it comes to industrial cleaning and the risks involved. 



04. Window cleaning


Focus on professional window cleaning services for commercial and residential buildings, ensuring a spotless and streak-free finish. Window cleaning takes a great deal of skill and experience, so make sure this is something you’re familiar with before starting. 



05. Medical facility cleaning


Specialize in cleaning medical offices, clinics and hospitals. Keep in mind, this will mean adhering to strict hygiene standards and regulations.



06. Restaurant and kitchen cleaning


Offer cleaning services for restaurants and commercial kitchens, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.



07. Event venue cleaning


Provide post-event cleaning services for venues, ensuring quick and efficient cleanup after conferences, seminars or parties.



08. School and educational facility cleaning


Specialize in maintaining cleanliness in educational institutions, including classrooms, corridors and common areas. This can be a great scalable business idea if you work with several schools within a county or city. 



09. Retail store cleaning


Focus on cleaning services tailored to retail spaces, ensuring a clean and inviting shopping environment. Lots of brands have multiple retail store locations, meaning you could build up a lot of cleaning work across all their stores. 



10. Hotel and hospitality cleaning services


Offer comprehensive cleaning solutions for hotels, ensuring guest rooms, lobbies and common areas are immaculate.



11. Green cleaning services


Differentiate your business by offering eco-friendly cleaning solutions, appealing to businesses with a focus on sustainability. This might mean using only environmentally friendly cleaning supplies or other measures to make your business green. This green cleaning company, Green Clover, does just that. 



12. Pet cleaning services


Offer comprehensive services to clean up after pets, including waste removal, grooming and even odor control. This unique niche addresses a common challenge for pet owners who often struggle with keeping their living spaces clean and hygienic.



13. Graffiti removal services


This comprehensive service not only removes unsightly graffiti but also implements preventive measures such as applying protective coatings. These coatings significantly hinder graffiti from adhering to surfaces, making future occurrences less likely. This service can be particularly valuable in urban areas, where graffiti can detract from the visual appeal and reputation of local businesses, potentially driving away customers.



14. Biohazard cleaning services


Consider offering biohazard cleaning services for crime scenes, trauma cleanups and hazardous situations. This niche field demands a solid understanding of safety protocols along with specialized training and equipment to tackle unique challenges. Technicians must effectively manage various biohazards, including blood borne pathogens and toxic substances, ensuring compliance with health regulations and safety standards.


Check out the best cleaning websites to get inspired and start creating your own standout site today.


Best beginner cleaning ideas


New to cleaning as a business? Consider one of these beginner friendly cleaning business ideas to get you started.


  • Residential cleaning, you can offer cleaning services to your neighbors or if you live in an apartment building, offer your services to your management company

  • Car cleaning, this is a popular service, especially if you live in a smaller community and you can offer to wash your neighbors cars to start off.

  • Moving in/out cleaning, this is a popular service for people moving in and out of homes. Reach out to local property agents in your area and see if there's demand amongst their clients for cleaning of houses as people move out and move into them.

  • Pressure washing, is a good cleaning business idea to start off with. You'll potentially need your own pressure washer and be pretty confident with using it.




How to get started with your cleaning business idea



Apply your industry knowledge and experience


You’ll need to develop a deep understanding of various cleaning techniques, equipment and industry best practices based on the services you offer. If you have specific experience, like window cleaning, start there as you grow your breadth of experience. 



Choose your specialization or niche


Consider specializing in a cleaning niche or industry to provide tailored services. This can help you gain a professional reputation as a well-respected expert. This can be especially successful if you identify and fill a gap in service providers in your area. 



Build a professional network: market and promote your cleaning business


Build a strong professional network to connect with potential clients. Consider creating a website to expand your online presence and market your services and cleaning business. 


Check out these best small website builders to get started.



cleaning business ideas - build a cleaning website


Choose a legal structure for your business


Decide on the legal structure of your business, such as a sole proprietorship, LLC or corporation.


You'll also need to license your cleaning business. In most states a general business license is a must, as is an Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you plan to hire employees.


Depending on the services you offer, you might need additional licenses. If you handle hazardous waste, you will need a specific permit in order to do so. But each state has its own regulations, so it’s important to check the specific requirements in your state.


If you need more precise information on licensing a cleaning business idea, it's advisable to consult with a local business advisor or legal expert.


           

cleaning business ideas - choose a legal structure for your business


Determine your pricing strategies


Choose your pricing model, whether it's hourly rates, monthly retainers or project-based fees. Then, set your rates and pricing. Be sure to lay all of this out in your cleaning business plan. 




Cleaning business examples (built on Wix) to inspire you




This cleaning service company offers a wide range of cleaning services—from deep cleaning to commercial and office cleaning. 




Tier One offers both office and home cleaning services. Their services range from one-time cleanings to more long-term contracts, appealing to a wide client base. 




This cleaning company specializes in home cleaning services. They also offer window cleaning, pressure washing and post-construction cleaning services.



Cleaning business ideas FAQ


What types of cleaning services can I offer through my cleaning business?

The cleaning industry offers a wide range of services to choose from. You can consider offering general janitorial services, carpet cleaning, window cleaning, industrial cleaning, medical facility cleaning, restaurant and kitchen cleaning, event venue cleaning and more. Choose a niche that aligns with your expertise, interest and target market.

How can I attract clients to my cleaning business?

What equipment and supplies do I need to get my cleaning business off the ground?

How do I determine pricing for my cleaning idea?

How can I ensure the safety of my staff?

How can I differentiate my cleaning business idea from competitors?

How can I grow my cleaning business idea?

Do I need any special licenses or permits to start a cleaning business?

What kind of insurance do I need for a cleaning business?

How can I scale my cleaning business over time?How can I scale my cleaning business over time?

What kind of software or tools can help run a cleaning business efficiently?

Is it better to start with residential or commercial cleaning?

What are some creative marketing ideas for a cleaning business?

What are the pros and cons of hiring employees versus working solo?



Other business ideas to consider



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