How do I start a cleaning business?

Part of: Cleaning Business Growth

To start a cleaning business, choose residential or commercial cleaning, register your business and get a free EIN from the IRS, then check your city, county and state rules for licenses and sales tax. Before your first paid job, buy liability insurance, set prices from your own costs, and set up a free Google Business Profile so local clients can find you. The SBA says license and permit rules depend on your business activity and location, so your own city and state have the final word.

This guide covers every step at a glance and links to our deeper guides in the Cleaning Business Growth hub.

What are the steps to start a cleaning business?

1. Pick residential or commercial cleaning, and the area you will serve.
2. Choose a business structure and register your name if needed.
3. Get an EIN from the IRS.
4. Check local licenses and your state's sales tax rules.
5. Buy insurance, and a bond if clients ask for one.
6. Set your prices.
7. Buy a starter kit of supplies.
8. Line up your first clients.
9. Set up your Google Business Profile.

Should I start with residential or commercial cleaning?

Most solo cleaners start with homes, because the equipment is basic and you can begin with a few clients. Commercial work (offices, shops, rentals between guests) can bring larger, steadier contracts, but buyers often want proof of insurance and bonding first. Oregon's state risk office, for example, lists janitorial services among contracts that call for crime protection and employee dishonesty coverage.

Pick one to start. Keep your service area tight so you are not losing hours to driving.

How do I register a cleaning business and get an EIN?

The SBA says you are automatically a sole proprietor if you do business without registering as another kind of business. That structure is simple, but your personal and business debts are not separate. An LLC protects your personal assets in most cases. If you work under a name other than your own, the SBA notes that some states, counties and cities require you to register it as a DBA, also called a trade name.

The IRS issues an EIN online for free, usually right away. The SBA warns never to use a website that charges a fee for one. The SBA says an EIN is used to pay federal taxes, hire employees, open a business bank account and apply for licenses.

Do I need a license to clean houses?

Cleaning is not on the SBA's list of activities that need a federal license, but your city or county may require a general business license, and some states tax cleaning. Texas, for example, says tax is due on the charge to clean a home, office, warehouse or any other building, and that maid and janitorial services should collect it. Texas exempts a self-employed person doing traditional housekeeping only when that person is an employee of the household, not working through a maid service.

Our cleaning business license guide walks through local licenses, DBAs and sales tax state by state, so check it before your first paid job.

What insurance and bonding does a cleaning business need?

The District of Columbia's insurance regulator publishes a fact sheet for cleaning businesses. It lists coverage to consider, including:

You may not need all of them. The SBA says businesses with employees are legally required to carry certain insurance, and that requirements vary by state. Get quotes from a licensed agent who knows cleaning businesses.

How much should I charge?

Price from your own costs: your pay, self-employment tax, supplies, gas, insurance and time between jobs. Then compare your number with what others charge in your area. Our house cleaning pricing guide shows national price ranges and how to turn an hourly rate into a flat price per visit.

What supplies do I need to start?

Start small and buy more as you learn what your clients need:

1. All purpose cleaner, glass cleaner and a bathroom cleaner.
2. Microfiber cloths, sponges, scrub brushes and gloves.
3. A vacuum, a mop and bucket, and a broom.
4. A caddy to carry everything from room to room.

If you want gentler products, the EPA's Safer Choice label helps consumers and commercial buyers spot products with safer chemical ingredients. Once you hire, OSHA's hazard communication standard says employers with hazardous chemicals in the workplace must have labels and safety data sheets for exposed workers, and train them to handle the chemicals.

Can I start a cleaning business with no money?

You can start with very little. Several key steps are free:

Your real early costs are supplies, any local license fee and insurance. Cleaning grants are rare, as our cleaning business grants guide explains.

How do I get my first cleaning clients?

Start with people who already know you: a short message to friends, neighbors and past coworkers saying what you clean, where, and from what price. Ask every client to rebook before you leave. Our guide to getting cleaning clients covers referrals, reviews and rebooking in depth.

Do I need a Google Business Profile?

Yes, if you want local people to find you on Google Search and Maps. Google says creating a Business Profile is free. You can run it from home, hide your address and list the areas you serve, as our Google Maps from home guide shows. Our cleaning business website guide covers what to put on your site.

What should I do next?

Once the paperwork is done, see how easy you are to find. A free website check shows what to fix first. If you want help with the rest, Momyntum is a $49 a month growth service that covers your website and hosting, outreach that brings in new customers, help getting found on Google and AI search, and a short weekly report by email, with a 14 day free trial and no card needed. You can start the trial here.

By Momyntum Team. Updated November 1, 2026. For: House cleaning.

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