• Sat, Feb 2026

How to Start a Cleaning Business?

How to Start a Cleaning Business?

Learn how to start a cleaning business with low investment. Step-by-step guide on costs, licenses, pricing, marketing, and profit tips.

How to start a cleaning business? In an industry where the global cleaning services are projected to be worth almost 416 billion in 2024 and expanding by  6.9 percent every year, this is the right time to venture into this stable industry. Time-conscious populace and business establishments require dependable services, and therefore, it is a practical business with a recurring client base and potential for growth. Residential or commercial, adequate planning would guarantee profitability at low startup costs, usually less than  $1,000 in the bare minimum. 

How to Start a Cleaning Business? 

Start by doing a study of your local market to figure out what is needed,  what the competition is , and  what is missing , such as  environmentally friendly products or  after-construction cleanups . Prepare a business plan with a description of services, intended  customers, cost, and other financial forecasts , such as introductory expenses to cover supplies, insurance, and marketing. If a simple structure, such as a sole proprietorship, is chosen or the protection of liabilities such as an  LLC , get your  business name, EIN , or similar, and licenses. 

 

The eighth step is  buying equipment and  establishing a bank account to isolate finances , and the eighth step is acquiring insurance, such as  general liability, to pay in the event of damage or injury . Establish pricing strategies either hourly ($20–$50), per project, or per square feet and sell through your own site, social media, and local community to get your first few customers. In India, GST registration, company formation through the  LLP or Pvt Ltd , and environmentally-friendly supplies are being offered to address the increasing hygienic needs after the pandemic. 

 

Through efficient scheduling software, employ quality personnel when there is high demand, train them on necessary protocols and hire other employees when the demand increases. Measures such as client retention can be tracked and revised according to the feedback and raised sustainably. 

Supplies and Equipment for Cleaning Business 

Necessity leads to effective, professional work without making unreasonable expenditures - shop together at a discount. 

 

  • Meal towels, wipers, streakless black scrubbers and squeegees.
  • Mops, buckets and high area extendable dusters.
  • Vacuum cleaners (HEPA-filter because of allergies), carpet steamers (rent at first).
  • Drill purpose cleaners, disinfectants, glass cleaners, bathroom cleaners, floor solutions and bleaches.
  • Personal protective equipment: nitrile masks and gloves, first aid kits, and aprons.
  • Spray bottles, paper towels, trash bags, and organization caddies or trolleys.
  • Have to work with specialized equipment: pressure washers, window kits, or steam cleaners. 

 

In regular employment, include sturdy vacuum cleaners and floor scrubbers. Use non-toxic products that are environmentally friendly in case you are aiming at green niches. 

Legal Requirements for Cleaning Business  

Requirement 

Description 

Applicability 

Business Registration 

Sole proprietorship, LLC, LLP, or Pvt Ltd; DBA if using a trade name. Check Companies House (UK) or MCA (India). 

All locations 

Tax ID 

EIN (US), GST (India), state tax ID. 

Required for banking/taxes 

General Business License 

Local/city permit; varies by area. 

Most municipalities 

General Liability Insurance 

Covers property damage/injury; $2,000–$4,000/year. 

Highly recommended 

Workers’ Compensation 

For employee injuries; legally required if hiring. 

If employing staff 

Surety Bonds 

Protects against theft claims. 

Residential jobs 

Specialized Permits 

Window cleaning license (Scotland), waste carrier (UK), and hazardous materials handling. 

Niche services 

ISO Certification 

Quality standard for credibility. 

India/commercial 

How to Start a Cleaning Business: Step-by-Step Guide 

  1. Research Market and Niche: Research competition and call businesses to price, participate in organizations such as ISSA, and conduct a survey of prospective customers on their needs. 

 

  1. Assess Skills and Plan: Practice on friends, work through temporary employment, write a business plan, and set objectives and a budget. 

 

  1. Choose Structure and Name: Select solo prop/LLC, brainstorm catchy name (add location to trust): Availability/domain/socials. 

 

  1. Register and License: IRS/state filing, obtain EIN/GST, permit/insurance applications. 

 

  1. Finance Setup: Open a business bank account, budget 200-500/month for supplies, and take loans when necessary. 

 

  1. Buy Supplies and Equipment: Initiate lean, invest in good-quality vacuums; meet health regulations. 

 

  1. Price Services: On an hourly, flat (per bedroom), or sq ft; additional services such as oven cleaning. 

 

  1. Hire and Train: Prepare job description, screen reliable, prepare checklists/safety. 

 

  1. Market Aggressively: Develop web/SEO, internet, fliers, Google account, referrals; first-job discounts. 

 

  1. Launch and Scale: Find contracts, Software to schedule, monitor reviews/profits. 

Scope of Cleaning Services 

  • Urbanization, dual-income households, and post-pandemic hygiene-related demand. 

 

  • Weekly/bi-weekly client recurring revenue, and 80 percent of two-income families might use services by 2024. 

 

  • Scalable: Experiment alone, hire employees/drivers for business deals. 

 

  • They have specialty segments such as green cleaning or vacation rentals that fetch a high price. 

 

  • India-specific: Pest control, sanitization booming, and low capital, high profit after establishment. 

 

  • International expansion: $415B market, timeless requirements not affected by tech like disruptions. 

Different Types of Cleaning Companies 

Type 

Description 

Target Clients 

Equipment Needs 

Examples 

Residential 

Homes, apartments, condos; dusting, vacuuming, bathrooms. 

Households, renters 

Basic vacuums, mops, cleaners 

House cleaning services 

Commercial 

Offices, retail, hotels; large-scale floor care. 

Businesses, schools 

Industrial vacuums, floor machines 

Janitorial firms 

Window Cleaning 

High/low windows, exteriors. 

Homes, high-rises 

Squeegees, poles, safety gear 

Specialized window pros 

Carpet Cleaning 

Deep steam extraction. 

Homes, offices 

Steamers, extractors 

Carpet specialists 

Green/Eco-Friendly 

Non-toxic, biodegradable products. 

Eco-conscious clients 

Natural solutions 

Sustainable cleaners 

Event/Post-Construction 

One-off deep cleans after events/builds. 

Venues, contractors 

Heavy-duty tools, pressure washers 

Move-in/out services 

Specialized 

Graffiti, medical, and industrial spills. 

Niche sectors 

Hazmat gear, certifications 

Biohazard teams 

Conclusion 

The question of  how to start a cleaning business is not so simple or difficult. Here is the answer: it is a business that  requires research, legalities, and smart marketing , but enjoys the  flexibility and profitability . Emphasize quality, customer relations, and niches in order to emerge as a leader in this industry worth more than 400B. Begin small, grow progressively, and fit in with the local demand, such as the Indian hygiene boom case, and succeed in the long-term. 

Amelia Williams

Welcome to Growveea — a growing digital platform led by Amelia Williams and the Growveea Team with over 10+ years of experience in content publishing. We create well-researched and engaging content across Celebrities, Business, Life & Style, Entertainment, Movies, Music, TV, K-Drama, and K-Pop, with one simple mission — to inform, inspire, and keep our readers ahead of trends.