Starting a cleaning business is one of the most accessible ways to become self-employed in the U.S. It’s low-cost, always in demand, and can scale from solo work to a full-service company. Whether you want residential cleaning, office cleaning, or niche services, here’s a clear guide to getting started.
1. Choose Your Cleaning Services
First, decide what you’ll offer. Common options include:
Residential cleaning
Standard home cleaning, deep cleaning, move-in/move-out cleaning.
Commercial cleaning
Offices, retail stores, medical spaces, and small businesses.
Specialized cleaning
Carpet cleaning, post-construction cleaning, Airbnb turnovers, or eco-friendly cleaning.
Start with a focused list — you can expand later as demand grows.
2. Understand Startup Costs
A cleaning business has relatively low startup costs. Many U.S. beginners start with:
- Basic supplies ($150–$300)
- Cleaning chemicals ($50–$100)
- Vacuum/mop/buckets ($150–$300)
- Business registration ($50–$200 depending on state)
- Insurance ($300–$600 annually)
Most people can launch for under $1,000 if keeping it simple.
3. Register Your Business
To operate legally in the U.S., you’ll need:
- A business structure (LLC is common for beginners)
- A state business license if required
- An EIN from the IRS (free)
An LLC provides liability protection, which is important when working inside clients’ homes.
4. Get Liability Insurance
General liability insurance is essential. It protects you if:
- Something is damaged in a client’s home
- Someone gets injured
- A claim is made against your work
Most small cleaning businesses pay $25–$45 per month, depending on coverage.
5. Buy Your Supplies and Equipment
Choose reliable, professional-grade supplies so your cleaning results stand out.
Common items include:
- Microfiber cloths
- All-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Disinfectant
- Mop + vacuum
- Gloves and a cleaning caddy
Many U.S. clients also prefer eco-friendly or “green” cleaning options.
6. Set Competitive Pricing
Cleaning businesses typically charge in three ways:
Flat rate — common for residential jobs (ex: $120–$180 per home)
Hourly rate — used for variable jobs ($25–$50/hr per cleaner)
Per-square-foot — common for commercial cleaning
(usually $0.05–$0.20 per sq ft)
Research other cleaners in your city to stay competitive.
7. Build Your Brand and Marketing
To attract clients quickly:
- Create a simple website or Google Business Profile
- Use Facebook Marketplace or local groups
- Print basic flyers
- Offer first-time discounts
- Ask early clients for reviews
- List your service on apps like Thumbtack or TaskRabbit
In the U.S., word of mouth and online reviews drive most cleaning business growth.
8. Find Your First Clients
Start with people you already know:
- Family
- Friends
- Neighbors
- Local small businesses
- Real estate agents needing move-out cleans
Do a great job and politely ask for referrals — these early clients build momentum.
9. Create a Simple Operations System
As your cleaning business grows, you’ll want to stay organized. Track:
- Bookings and schedules
- Payments and invoices
- Supplies
- Customer preferences
- Repeat cleaning cycles
You can use simple tools like Google Calendar or cleaning-specific apps later on.
10. Add Staff and Scale Up
Once your schedule fills up, you can expand by:
- Hiring part-time cleaners
- Offering commercial contracts
- Adding specialty services
- Purchasing better equipment
Many U.S. cleaning businesses grow from solo operations to multi-team companies within 1–3 years.
Final Thoughts
Starting a cleaning business is low-cost, flexible, and scalable. With basic supplies, a strong work ethic, and consistent marketing, you can quickly land clients and build reliable income. Focus on great service, clear pricing, and professionalism — the cleaning industry rewards consistency and trust.
