4 Types Of Clients To Avoid In Your Cleaning Business

When I first started my cleaning business over 30 years ago, I made a mistake that many new business owners make—I said “yes” to everyone. I thought I had to. After all, I needed the work, I wanted to grow my business, and turning down a client felt like turning down money. But here’s what I learned the hard way: not every client is a good fit for your business.

Some clients will cost you time, energy, and even your sanity. They’ll disrupt your schedule, undervalue your work, and leave you questioning whether this business is even worth it. The good news? You can avoid these situations before they happen—if you know what to look for and put the right policies in place.

Here are the types of clients you need to avoid, why they can hold back your success.

1. Clients Who Book Irregularly

At first glance, clients who hire you every now and then might seem harmless. “It’s still money,” I used to tell myself. But irregular clients don’t provide consistent income, and consistency is what keeps your business stable and profitable.

When you rely on sporadic work, you’re constantly filling gaps in your schedule, and that makes it hard to plan, budget, or grow. Successful cleaning businesses thrive on recurring clients—those who book weekly or bi-weekly cleanings because they value consistency.

2. Holiday or One-Time Clients

Special events, holidays, or deep cleans can bring in quick cash, but they also come with a lot of stress. These clients often have sky-high expectations, tight deadlines, and homes that require a lot more effort than a regular client. And because these appointments are one-time jobs, there’s no ongoing income to make the extra work worthwhile.

When I first started, I took on every holiday cleaning job I could get, thinking it would boost my income. Instead, I ended up overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out.

3. Chronic Complainers

Early in my career, I wasted too much time on clients who were never satisfied. They criticized every little thing I did, no matter how hard I worked. At first, I bent over backward trying to please them, believing their complaints reflected poorly on me. But then I realized the truth: these clients often use constant complaints as a tactic to push for discounts or free services.

Working with clients like this will drain your energy, shake your confidence, and leave you frustrated. Instead of growing your business, you’ll feel like you’re constantly defending your work.

4. Clients Who Frequently Cancel

Clients who constantly cancel their appointments can be incredibly disruptive. When you’ve blocked out time for their cleaning and they cancel at the last minute, it’s more than just an inconvenience—it’s lost income.

Early in my business, I allowed too many cancellations, thinking I had to be flexible to keep clients. But what I ended up with was a chaotic schedule, unreliable income, and a lot of unnecessary stress. I learned to set a rule: no more than three cancellations per client.

The Solution: Strong Policies That Attract the Right Clients

Here’s the bottom line: having professional policies in place is one of the best ways to avoid the wrong clients. Policies aren’t about being strict or inflexible—they’re about setting clear expectations and protecting your time, energy, and income.

When you implement your business policies you naturally filter out clients who aren’t a good fit for your business. At the same time, you attract clients who value your time, respect your work, and provide the consistent income you need to grow.

Why This Matters

When I first started my cleaning business, I thought I had to say “yes” to everyone. But over time, I realized that every time I said “yes” to the wrong client, I was taking time and energy away from finding the right clients.

By learning to identify red-flag clients early on—and putting the right policies in place—you’ll save yourself frustration, stress, and lost income. More importantly, you’ll build a business that works for you.

Trust me: saying “no” to the wrong clients is one of the most powerful things you can do for your cleaning business. Every time you do, you’re creating space for clients who truly appreciate your work, respect your boundaries, and contribute to the success you deserve.

You don’t have to make the same mistakes I did. With confidence, experience, and strong policies, you can build a cleaning business that’s smoother, more profitable, and far more rewarding.

Havent started your business yet? Then my House Cleaning Business Starter Kit is just what you need....and it includes all my Business Forms including the Policies I used in my business. These policies are part of what helped me make More Money in Less Time!

Why try to do it alone and risk making mistakes that will cost you time and money!

This Starter Kit will give you everything you need to start and set your business up for success Fast!

Why wait any longer? Grab your Starter Kit today!

Related Articles

The Secret To A Profitable Cleaning Business

How To Start A Cleaning Business And Make Six Figures

For over 30 years, Trisha built and ran her own successful cleaning business, handpicking her schedule and consistently earning $5,000+ a month—all while working part-time as a solo cleaner. Now, she’s here to help you do the same! Whether you’re just starting solo or already have a small team, Trisha’s vast experience can help you grow your business and boost profits without adding more hours. She'll teach you how to avoid common mistakes new cleaning business owners make and run your business profitably from day one. With over three decades of experience, learning from Trisha is the fastest, most reliable way to launch or scale your thriving cleaning business!