If you’re wondering what the cleaning business profit margin is and which types of cleaning business you should start to make the most money from in this industry, then I must say starting a cleaning business is a safe bet. It’s one of those ideas that seems simple, manageable, and low-risk.
And in many ways, it is.
People will always need clean homes, offices, and spaces.
The demand is steady. The work is clear. And best of all, there’s real money to be made.
In the U.S., more and more people hire others to clean their homes. According to trends, that’s not slowing down.
For instance, when you see the trend for the phrase: Cleaners near me, it’s almost never down in the past 5 years.
Whether it’s busy professionals, seniors, or companies outsourcing janitorial work, cleaning is in demand.
The same goes for other countries as well. Big cities, smaller towns, it’s a service people need.
That’s why a lot of new business owners look at cleaning as a solid way in.
Besides demand and a decent profit margin, the other best part is that it has low startup costs, flexible hours, and no need for a fancy degree. You can start small and grow fast if you do it right without any degree or prior experience.
Now, let’s see, how profitable is it, really?
The real answer is, it depends.
Profits come down to just a few important factors:
- How much do you invest to get started?
- How many clients do you attract?
- How do you bill for your services?
- And how you manage your time and your staff.
So, while researching cleaning business profit margin, we found that some people make a couple of hundred dollars a week in a part-time capacity, while others are building full-fledged businesses that generate multiple six- or seven-figure incomes.
And to help our reader make the most from their cleaning business, we have discussed everything you might need to know about cleaning business profitability.
Let’s get into it.
On this page:
Is a Cleaning Business Profitable?
Absolutely, a cleaning business can be very profitable! It’s not just a belief; it’s a fact.
The global cleaning services market was valued at approximately USD 415.93 billion in 2024, with an expected growth rate of 6.9% from 2025 to 2030.
Analysts predict there will be consistent increases until 2028, notably in residential and commercial areas.
Why?
Because barriers to entry are low.
You do not need expensive equipment or even a store to get started. Most individuals start with just a few basic tools and then expand. Moreover, cleaning is something that is always needed.
It’s a no-brainer that homes always get dirty, offices must comply with health codes, and gyms, schools, and rental properties hire cleaners on a regular basis. Thus, all of them need cleaners.
The only thing you need to do is kickstart. When clients are satisfied, they continue to hire you.
There is also room for growth. You can begin as a solo cleaner and transition into an organization with a complete team.
And when income gets doubled, you can expand your clientele, introduce new services such as carpet or window cleaning, shoe cleaning, dry cleaning, pool cleaning, commercial cleaning, or even expand into different cities.
You might like to explore this business idea: Gas Station Business: Costs, Profits, and Challenges
Profitability Breakdown:
Starting a cleaning service could provide a good source of income and even create long-term wealth.
But how much money you will make and how quickly, depends on a few key things. Let’s discuss those key things.
a) Revenue Potential
The real question is, how much money can you really make from your cleaning business? Here is what cleaning businesses often make annually:
- Small cleaning services, typically operated by one person or a small team, typically earn about $35,000-$50,000 annually in the US.
- If you grow to a mid-sized company with several employees on staff, you can reach an annual revenue of about $150,000 to $500,000.
- The larger commercial cleaning businesses can potentially achieve $1 million or more, particularly when they have long-term contracts working with offices, schools, or hospitals.
However, none of this happens overnight. There are so many things that decide your fate. And the most important one is patience.
Factors Affecting Revenue
#1. Like almost all the local businesses, the area or location plays a huge part in the cleaning business, too.
There is generally a larger demand for workers in urban areas as well as higher rates. In rural or suburban communities, it may be less expensive, but there will be less competition.
#2. The size of a company is also a factor.
A single cleaner can only clean so many homes, but with a team of workers, you can book more jobs and cover more ground.
#3. Niche also matters when it comes to revenue.
Standard home cleaning typically earns you less per visit, but specialized cleaning services—deep cleans, cleaning post construction, and cleaning for biohazards—earn higher earnings.
#4. And lastly, pricing.
If you charge too little, you might not be able to pay yourself. If you charge too much, you might end up with no clients.
Here’s a look at the typical prices for both residential and commercial cleaning work.
The average rate for residential cleaning across the United States falls between $20-$50 per hour per cleaner. For example, for cleaning a 2,000 square foot home, the price range is generally $110 to $320 to clean the home in total. This is about $0.06 to $0.16 per square foot.
Commercial jobs are usually priced by the square footage of the project.
For example, cleaning a 1,000- to 1,500-square-foot office on a monthly or bi-weekly basis can generally range between $400 and $600 a month for that service.
Cleaning a 10,000- to 20,000-square-foot area may overall price out to be between $1,500 and $2,000 per month.
b) Profit Margins and Costs
Now, let’s talk about the profit margins and costs.
Small cleaning companies earn between 4% and 28%. If everything is running well, you could expect 10% to 28%.
This is a decent rate of return compared to other industries. However, you will also have some expenses to deal with, especially as you grow your business.
This is what you can generally expect at the beginning.
Regarding costs, a start-up cost includes a few knowns.
When you begin a business, you’ll need to register it and get some licensing for, generally, $100 to $500.
Depending on where you live, some places want you to be licensed; you’ll definitely want to think about insurance and even bonding.
If you decide to go for insurance as part of the licensing and bonding that you get, usually, insurance will be around $300 to $1,200 a year.
Insurance can save you and protect you against liability in case something goes wrong while working.
Next, you will need to consider equipment.
Start with items such as the vacuum, mop, cloths, spray bottles, gloves, and buckets. Their pricing depends on many other factors, like quality, size, etc.
You can expect to spend $300 to $1000 on all this. But if you are providing floor or carpet service, the investment will increase.
Now, the next big part is marketing. Branding and marketing could be anywhere from $200 to $1000. You will want something like a basic website, business cards, and possibly a uniform or logo on your vehicle.
Once you are operational, you will have ongoing costs as well.
Labor is the largest expense. If you hire cleaners, you would be looking at $15 to $25 hourly. This is a geographic and experience factor.
You’ll also need to cover transportation. That means gas, vehicle upkeep, or mileage if you drive to different jobs.
Cleaning supplies run out fast, so keep money aside for refills.
And don’t forget some small administrative things like a scheduling app, phone, or bookkeeping service.
Thus, if we look at the money needed to start a cleaning business, we get two ranges:
- Low-end estimate: $10,000 – $15,000 (including ongoing costs for labor, transportation, and supplies).
- High-end estimate: $30,000+ (if you have multiple employees, vehicle costs, or higher-end equipment).
You can also check the profit margins of the Laundromats, it’s huge.
c) Break-even Point
If you’re just getting started, the first thing you would like to know is, how quickly you can expect to turn a profitable business?
Most solo cleaners can expect to break even in just 1-3 months.
If you’re hiring employees and investing in branding, it could take six to twelve months before the profit starts to steady. So, in that case, there is a lot of patience required.
In fact, it’s all about how much you can earn by landing clients, taking appointments, and managing the business.
However, things usually take off once you get to that break-even point. It is all about getting regular customers who can fill your schedule.
The more “repeat business” you get, the less time and money you have to spend on finding new customers.
Types of Cleaning Businesses & Their Profitability
Cleaning companies aren’t created equal.
Some are simple to start up, based on a mop and bucket. Others need equipment, staff, and contracts or a commercial cleaning agreement.
Some make you money quickly, while others take longer to build a repeat business model, but will pay more in long-term contracts.
Let’s discuss the types of cleaning businesses. Each model has its own income potential, pros, and cons.
Residential Cleaning
It’s easy to see why so many people decide to begin their business career in residential cleaning.
The major benefits of starting a residential cleaning business are: the work is typically easy, customers are generally nice, and there is a consistent flow of income.
Most people want to have their homes cleaned weekly or bi-weekly. This gives you repeat jobs and consistent pay.
If you work alone, you can earn anywhere from $30,000 to $75,000 annually, depending on how many homes you clean and how much you charge each home.
Pros and cons of starting a residential cleaning business:
- Pros: low cost to start, no specialized skills needed, and the opportunity to develop good working relationships with clients.
- Cons: Pay per job is lower compared to other types of jobs, and you’ll eventually hit a ceiling unless you hire help.
Commercial Cleaning
Cleaning companies can make significantly more money if they go commercial.
Office buildings, gyms, schools, and restaurants require and are willing to pay for consistent, reliable cleaning.
Unlike homes, this work is usually paid by contract. One contract can pay anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 a month with one client or more.
All you need is more staff and better equipment. The returns, however, can be substantial.
Pros and cons of starting a commercial cleaning business:
- Pros: higher income, long-term contracts, and the ability to scale quickly.
- Cons: Higher starting costs. Requires teams, insurance coverage, and potentially night or early morning work.
If you’re exploring business ideas, you should check this one too: The Real Profit Potential of Starting a Cleaning Business
Specialized Cleaning
Specialty cleaning is not your run-of-the-mill dust and mop job. It is more focused, less common, and clients pay more for it!
Examples of specialty cleaning include carpet cleaning, post-construction cleaning, window washing, deep cleaning, pool cleaning, sanitizing, or eco-friendly cleaning.
All of these specialized cleaning jobs have high demand for services, can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000 per visit, and may be more effective at a day’s worth of work.
With specialty cleaning, you’ll need special tools and maybe even some training. The good thing is that the profit potential is much higher.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: less competition for business, higher rates, and the opportunity to develop a niche brand.
- Cons: requires more equipment and skill. Jobs may not be available as often, so you’ll be more reliant on marketing your service.
Franchise vs. Independent Cleaning Business
When you want to start a cleaning business, you have two options: Franchise or an independent cleaning business. Both have its pros and cons.
When you buy a franchise, such as JAN-PRO or Molly Maid, you are essentially purchasing a ready-made brand, proven systems, and support.
Note that this comes with a financial responsibility, as startup fees can range anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 (or even more).
And once you are operating, the franchisor will receive ongoing royalties, thus limiting your profits.
Here are the pros and cons of starting a franchise:
- Pros: A trusted name, an established training program, and your clients will come much faster.
- Cons: Expensive upfront and less freedom to run things your way.
With that being said, an independent cleaning business will give you complete control, from building the brand yourself to setting pricing and deciding how you want to grow.
The startup cost is much lower, too (most of the time under $2,000), but, again, the independent route requires more effort on your part as your brand will take longer to build, clients will not trust you right away, and you will have to do more marketing.
- Pros: More flexibility, lower costs, and you keep 100% of the profits!
- Cons: You don’t have the benefit of brand recognition right away, plus it will take a little more work to get going.
How to Maximize Profit in a Cleaning Business
Earning money in cleaning is more than hard work; it’s working smart. A few minor decisions can create a large change in what you earn.
Let’s talk about how to make more money without putting in more time.
Pick Profitable Niches
Not all clients are created equal.
If you want to get paid more, go where the money is.
- High-end residential clients pay well for quality and reliability.
- Medical offices and clinics pay well, as they have to have cleaning done in strict ways, consistently.
- Apart from that, post-construction cleanups are very messy, but they can be extremely profitable. Just one job can be between $500 and $2000.
Price It Right
Your pricing model matters more than you think.
There are different pricing models with their own benefits:
- Hourly rates are easy to understand, but can limit your earnings if you work fast.
- Flat rates are popular for residential jobs. They’re clear, and if you clean quickly, you earn more in less time.
- Per-square-foot pricing works best for commercial spaces. It’s great for large contracts and makes quoting simple.
Whichever model you choose, make sure it covers your time, supplies, travel, and a healthy profit.
Upsell Your Services
Go beyond just the standard cleaning: consider providing a couple of add-ons that people need but often ignore.
Things like deep cleaning, fridge or oven cleaning, move-in or move-out cleans, or organizing the garage or closets.
These tasks typically take no additional time or only slightly more time, but they provide an opportunity to charge $50-$200 or more for those extra services on a regular basis.
You can include them with your cleaning price or offer them as a special package for clients to select if they like.
Use Technology to Save Time
Time is money.
It is wise to use tools that help you run your business more efficiently, for instance, online booking systems, customer relationship software (like Jobber or Housecall Pro), as well as mobile invoicing and mobile payment apps.
These tools help with no-shows, client tracking, job scheduling, and business organization.
Reduced administrative time means more time earning.
Cut Costs Without Cutting Quality
The more you save, the more you keep.
Purchase supplies in bulk, and you’ll save money and avoid the last-minute run to the store.
Train your crew properly so they can work faster while wasting less. Use fuel-efficient routes to your jobs, and try to bunch your jobs together if they are in the same area.
Even a small savings each day can add up to thousands at the end of the year.
Entrepreneurs also like to read this: Coffee Shop Profits: Costs, Margins And Models Explained
Challenges and Risks in the Cleaning Industry
It may be fulfilling to run a cleaning business, but there are obstacles involved.
There are real issues to be aware of. Recognizing them early will help you succeed better.
High Competition
Most cities have multiple cleaning businesses.
In most cities, you’re not the only one offering cleaning services.
There are big franchises, small local teams, and solo cleaners. All are fighting for the same clients.
To stand out, you will need to offer something that sets you apart from others; is it faster cleaning, better cleaning, eco-friendly products, or great customer service?
Price wars are common. But in the longer run, competing for a better value is a better game than price.
Finding Good Staff
One of the biggest hurdles in the business? Reliable workers.
Cleaning jobs are hard to fill and even harder to keep filled.
People come and go. Some don’t show up. Others don’t clean well.
You’ll need a solid hiring process, good training, and a reason for people to stick with you.
Paying fairly, offering consistent hours, and treating staff with respect make a big difference.
Keeping Customers Long-Term
Getting new clients requires hard work. Losing one takes seconds.
Inconsistency in service, lack of communication, or minor mistakes can push clients away.
Therefore, your best opportunity to create a reliable income is repeat business. This means providing great customer service, arriving on time to clean homes, and delivering the same high level of service every time.
If customers trust you, they will stick around and refer you to their friends.
Seasonal Slowdowns
Cleaning needs can vary with the seasons.
Some months can be packed, like spring or holiday months. Other months can be slow, like mid-summer or January.
Residential work is especially slow when people are on vacation or are cutting back on expenses.
There are a couple of ways to counterbalance this. You can offer add-ons in any cleaning service you provide. You could also target commercial contracts or even run a few seasonal promotions to fill some of these provided gaps.
While these interruptions do happen in the cleaning business, they can be managed.
With a plan, a bit of patience, and the right mindset, each obstacle will be more manageable, and you will eventually find a more pronounced positive effect.
In fact, when we talk about cleaning businesses starting with very small amounts of money, lots of people have done it.
For example, one woman, a single mother, started her cleaning business with £20 and today has a cleaning business that makes about £3 million a year.
I know another person who invested just $1,500 to get started. He now consistently earns about $7,500 a month.
It just shows how a little start can lead to big success.