If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a business you can start with little to no capital, low risk, and guaranteed demand, you’re not alone.
Starting a cleaning service in 2025 checks all those boxes and more. With rising costs of living and people outsourcing time-consuming chores, cleaning businesses are booming—quietly making new entrepreneurs thousands in stable monthly income.
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know: what it takes to run a cleaning service, how to start for cheap (or free), and how to scale it into a six-figure business.
WHAT IS A CLEANING SERVICE BUSINESS?
A cleaning service business offers residential, commercial, or specialty cleaning services—either as a solo operator or a small team.
This could mean:
- Home cleaning
- Office or retail space cleaning
- Airbnb or short-term rental turnover
- Deep cleaning or move-out services
- Post-construction clean-up
The beauty of this business? You don’t need fancy certifications or equipment to start. Just reliability, trustworthiness, and hustle.
WHY START A CLEANING SERVICE IN 2025?
1. It’s recession-proof. Cleanliness is non-negotiable. In good times or bad, homes, offices, and rentals must be cleaned.
2. Minimal start-up capital. Most cleaning services start under $500—some even for free if you’re doing it yourself and using basic tools.
3. High hourly rates. The average cleaner in the U.S. earns $25–$65/hour depending on location and type of job.
4. It scales easily. Start solo, then hire others or partner with freelance cleaners as your bookings grow.
5. Demand is rising. With the rise of short-term rentals, remote work, and busy professionals, demand for reliable cleaners is exploding.
See: Forbes article on booming home services
WHO CAN START A CLEANING SERVICE IN 2025?
Anyone with basic physical ability and a desire to grow a stable business.
Ideal candidates:
- Stay-at-home parents looking for flexible income
- Young entrepreneurs with limited capital
- Immigrants or expats seeking reliable cash flow
- People who enjoy organizing and cleaning
Even if you’re not cleaning yourself, you can run it as a booking and operations business by hiring cleaners and managing the logistics.
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO START?
Now.
The barrier to entry is still low, but that’s changing fast. As more people discover how profitable and scalable this industry is, competition is creeping up. If you start in 2025, you’re still early.
Seasonal peaks (good to launch around):
- January (New Year decluttering)
- Spring (deep cleaning season)
- August–September (back to school)
- November–December (holiday prep)
WHERE CAN YOU RUN A CLEANING SERVICE?
Anywhere.
Whether you’re in Lagos, London, or Louisiana, people need cleaning services.
Best environments:
- Urban areas with lots of professionals
- Tourist hubs with many short-term rentals
- Residential communities with working parents
You can also run a fully remote cleaning business by marketing online and hiring freelance cleaners through platforms like:
WHAT SERVICES CAN YOU OFFER?
Standard Home Cleaning: Dusting, vacuuming, mopping, bathroom/kitchen cleaning.
Deep Cleaning: Full sanitization, appliances, baseboards, blinds.
Move-In/Out Cleaning: Essential for tenants and landlords.
Airbnb Turnover: Quick, efficient resets between guest stays.
Commercial Cleaning: Offices, coworking spaces, retail outlets.
Specialty Services:
- Pet stain removal
- Eco-friendly or chemical-free cleaning
- Post-construction cleaning
Related: 10 Cheapest Businesses to Start in 2025
HOW TO START A CLEANING SERVICE IN 2025: STEP-BY-STEP
1. Market Research & Niche Selection
Use Google Trends, Ubersuggest, and Reddit threads to find the most requested services in your area.
2. Register Your Business
You can start as a sole proprietor or register an LLC. Use platforms like LegalZoom or local government portals.
3. Get Basic Supplies
Don’t overbuy. Start with essentials:
- Gloves, buckets, mops, disinfectants
- Microfiber cloths, vacuum, spray bottles
4. Price Your Services
Look up your competitors on Thumbtack or local Facebook groups. Set hourly or per-job rates.
5. Create Your Brand
Name, logo (use Canva), and a basic website with contact form (via Wix or WordPress).
6. Promote Like a Pro
Start with:
- Facebook/Instagram posts
- WhatsApp status
- Google My Business
- Hand out flyers in your area
7. Use Booking Tools
Use tools like Calendly, Square Appointments, or Booksy to allow online bookings.
8. Collect Reviews
Ask every client to review you on Google and social media. Social proof drives bookings.
9. Upsell and Rebook
Offer discounts for bi-weekly or monthly plans.
10. Scale Smartly
Hire vetted cleaners as demand grows. Use Homebase for scheduling and payroll.
PAIN POINTS YOUR CLEANING BUSINESS CAN SOLVE
Time-starved professionals: Too busy to clean regularly.
Elderly or injured residents: Need reliable help with physical tasks.
Landlords/Airbnb hosts: Require consistent, fast turnovers.
Parents: Juggling kids and work with no time to scrub bathrooms.
Address these pain points clearly in your marketing.
WHAT TO AVOID (MISTAKES TO WATCH OUT FOR)
- Underpricing your services
- Trying to serve everyone (niche down!)
- Not insuring your business
- Hiring before you’re ready
- Skipping contracts or terms of service
TOOLS & PLATFORMS TO RUN YOUR CLEANING BUSINESS
- Marketing: Canva, Mailchimp, Google Business Profile
- Bookings: Calendly, Square Appointments
- Invoicing/Payments: Wave, Paystack (for Nigeria), Stripe
- Hiring/Freelancers: TaskRabbit, Upwork
MONETIZATION STRATEGIES
- One-time cleanings
- Subscription cleaning plans (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly)
- Add-ons: fridge cleaning, window washing, laundry folding
- Gift cards for new parents, elderly family members, etc.
Ready to launch your own cleaning service in 2025?
Still thinking it over? Bookmark this guide and come back with a broom in hand. Your six-figure side hustle is waiting.
