5 Essential Tips for Starting a Cleaning Business
Start Your Cleaning Business Right: 5 No-BS Tips to Profit Fast
Thinking about starting a cleaning business?
It’s one of the lowest-cost, fastest-to-profit service businesses you can launch — even if you’ve never run a business before. No degree. No fancy website. No team required.
Just a smart plan, the right positioning, and the courage to say, “I got this.” And the best part? You can start solo and part-time — and still make full-time money.
But only if you set it up right from the start.
Here are 5 non-negotiables every profitable solo cleaner needs to know 👇
💥 1. Start Solo. Learn Fast. Stay Profitable.
Too many people rush to hire, outsource, or “scale” before they’ve even figured out how to run a smooth, simple solo operation.
Here’s the truth:
You don’t need a team to make great money.
Start solo so you can:
✅ Master your own systems
✅ Set your schedule
✅ Keep every dollar you earn
✅ Build strong client relationships that turn into referrals
You can always grow later — but profit and control start with YOU.
This is how I built a part-time cleaning business that paid like full-time — and never burned me out.
💥 2. Policies Protect Your Sanity (And Your Paycheck)
Want to work with dream clients who respect your time and your boundaries?
Then you need policies.
Think of them as your business’s “house rules” — the invisible guardrails that protect your time, energy, and income.
✅ What’s included (and what’s not)
✅ How payments and cancellations work
✅ How you handle keys, pets, and lockouts
✅ What happens when something breaks
Policies don’t make you look “strict.” They make you look like a pro.
Don't wait until you’ve cleaned 6 hours and someone refuses to pay. Put it in writing. Stick to it. Thank yourself later.
💥 3. Stop Charging by the Hour — Start Pricing Like a Pro
Here’s the biggest mistake I see new cleaning business owners make:
👉 They undercharge because they “just want to get clients.”
And then what happens?
They get clients.
But the money’s not worth the stress.
They’re working long hours. For low pay. With no end in sight.
Underpricing = burnout in disguise.
Flat-rate pricing solves that. You quote based on the job, not the hours, so you get paid for the value you deliver, not how long it takes.
When you price right, you:
✅ Attract better clients
✅ Stop resenting your own business
✅ Hit your income goals faster (without working more)
💡 Want help? My Flat Rate Confidence Guide teaches you exactly how to price like a boss, even if you’re brand new.
💥 4. Don’t Buy All the Things (You Don’t Need Them)
You don’t need to spend hundreds on fancy products, tools, or branding kits.
Start with:
A good multi-surface cleaner
Glass cleaner
Disinfectant or bleach alternative
A vacuum, mop, and solid microfiber cloths
That’s it.
Clean well. Show up on time. Communicate clearly.
That’s what people remember — not your mop brand.
Start lean, stay profitable. Add tools as you grow.
💥 5. This Industry Isn’t “Side Hustle Cute” — It’s a $1.2 Billion Beast
Let’s kill the myth:
This is not a little side hustle unless you treat it like one.
House cleaning is a $1.2 BILLION industry.And the demand for reliable, cleaners who actually know what they’re doing? 🔥
The clients are out there. You just need to show up like a business , not a “girl trying to make a little extra cash.”
Whether you want 2 clients or 20 — this business can change your life.
Start simple. Price like a pro. Set your boundaries. Stick to your plan.
🧼 Final Word: You Don’t Need Perfection. You Need a Plan.
The cleaning industry is booming. And if you're willing to learn, show up, and stop winging it — there's no reason you can't turn this into real income and real freedom.
👉 Start solo.
👉 Set clear policies.
👉 Nail your pricing.
👉 Keep it simple.
👉 Build a business that works around your life — not the other way around.
💡 Need help putting that plan together?
Grab my free 30-Day Cleaning Business Plan — it’s the exact roadmap I wish I had when I started.
✅ Week-by-week startup plan
✅ Setup steps, pricing prep, and client-getting tips
✅ No fluff. Just real steps that work.
👉 Click here to grab the free plan
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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!
