5 Ways to Get Cleaning Clients for Free
When you’re just getting started in your cleaning business, there’s one problem that matters more than anything else:
Getting paying clients.
You’ve got the supplies.
You’ve got the motivation.
What you probably don’t have is money for ads — or a clear plan that actually works.
Here’s the truth most cleaners don’t hear early enough:
The most profitable cleaning businesses get their first clients without spending a dime on marketing.
Below are five proven ways to book your first cleaning clients for free — the same strategies I used when I was building my business from scratch.
1. Start With Your Inner Circle
Your first clients are usually closer than you think.
Friends. Family. Neighbors. Church groups. School parents.
You’re not begging. You’re not selling.
You’re simply letting people know you’re open for business.
Keep it simple:
what you do
the area you serve
that you’re accepting new clients
You’d be surprised how often someone responds with:
“Actually… I’ve been thinking about hiring someone.”
That’s how momentum starts.
2. Use Local Facebook Groups (The Right Way)
Local Facebook groups are still one of the best free client sources for cleaners — if you don’t treat them like a billboard.
Join neighborhood, city, and community groups where people already ask for recommendations.
Before posting:
read the rules
note which days allow business posts
observe how people interact
When you post:
be clear, not salesy
say who you help and where
don’t overexplain
Photos help. Real ones — even your own home or your supplies.
The goal isn’t to post daily.
It’s to show up consistently so your name becomes familiar.
3. Drop Flyers Where Your Clients Already Are
Flyers still work — when they’re placed strategically.
Focus on places your ideal clients already visit:
salons
laundromats
gyms
coffee shops
libraries
apartment buildings
Keep flyers simple:
who you are
what you do
where you serve
how to contact you
Clean design > flashy design.
Refresh them every few weeks so they don’t blend into the background.
4. Offer a Small, Limited-Time Bonus
Early momentum matters.
A limited-time bonus gives people a reason to book now, not “someday.”
Examples:
first 5 clients only
limited-time add-on
referral thank-you bonus
This is not about underpricing.
It’s about reducing hesitation and building trust quickly.
Urgency works — when it’s real.
5. Turn Early Clients Into Referrals
Your first happy clients are your best marketing.
Don’t overthink it.
Just ask — confidently.
A simple follow-up message works:
“Thanks again! If you know anyone else who needs help, feel free to send them my way.”
You can add a small thank-you bonus if you want — but even without it, referrals happen when:
expectations are clear
service is consistent
boundaries are respected
That’s how sustainable growth starts.
Bonus: Give It 30 Focused Days
You don’t need hundreds of clients.
You need five yeses.
Commit to:
showing up locally
posting consistently
following up
staying visible
Do that for 30 days and your business will look very different.
Ready to Stop Guessing and Start the Right Way?
If you’re tired of piecing things together and wondering if you’re missing something important, start here.
🎁Cleaning Business Start-Up Checklist
It walks you through:
what actually matters when starting
what to stop wasting time on
how to set yourself up like a real business owner from day one
No fluff. No overwhelm. Just the right steps — in the right order.
Want the Full System?
If you don’t want to figure this out on your own, the No BS Cleaning Business Kit gives you the exact systems I used to stop winging it and start booking clients with confidence.
Inside the Kit:
flat-rate pricing templates
pre-screening and walkthrough scripts
client forms and agreements
boundary-setting language
checklists that keep your service tight and professional
👉 Check out the No BS Cleaning Business Kit here, grab the Kit here.
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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!
