How to Start a Profitable House Cleaning Business
Here's the truth no one tells you, so I will...
Starting a solo cleaning business is not the hard part.
Starting one that actually makes money, doesn’t drain you, and doesn’t trap you in survival mode?
That’s where most cleaners screw it up.
I owned a profitable solo cleaning business for over 30 years. I did it the broke way, the burnt-out way, and the “why am I working this hard for this little?” way — until I learned how to work smarter, price correctly, and take control of my income.
This post is for the cleaner who doesn’t want to stay stuck as “just the cleaner.”
You want to build a real business — not another exhausting job.
Let’s do this the smart way.
Step 1: Decide You’re a Business Owner (Not a Helper With Supplies)
Most cleaners fail before they even start — mentally.
They treat cleaning like:
a side hustle
a favor
something they’ll “take seriously later”
Here’s the truth:
👉 If you act like a cleaner, you’ll get paid like one.
👉 If you act like a business owner, clients treat you like one.
That means:
You charge confidently
You set policies
You don’t beg for work
You don’t explain or justify your prices
You don’t need permission.
You need decision-making energy.
Step 2: Go Legit From Day One (Yes, Even If It’s “Just You"
This is where a lot of people try to cut corners — and it always costs them later.
Bare minimum to start:
Business registration (LLC or sole prop depending on your location)
Business bank account
Basic insurance ( you can get this once you book your first clean)
Clear service offering ( what you do + what you don't)
Being legit does three things:
Protects you
Builds confidence
Justifies higher rates
Clients can feel when you’re winging it.
Step 3: Flat-Rate Pricing Only (Hourly Keeps You Broke)
Hourly pricing is for employees — not business owners, you ARE a business owner.
If you price by the hour:
You cap your income
You get punished for working fast
You attract price-shoppers
Flat-rate pricing lets you:
Earn more per job
Control your schedule
Scale without exhaustion
You price based on:
Size of the home
Condition
Type of clean
Frequency
Not just how long it takes you.
Speed = skill.
Skill deserves higher pay.
Step 4: Recurring Clients Are the Goal (One-Time Jobs Are Not Security)
One-time cleans feel good… until next week hits and your calendar is empty again.
Recurring clients = real money.
Weekly / bi-weekly clients:
Predictable income
Less marketing stress
Easier cleans
Better boundaries
Your goal isn’t to “book a clean.”
Your goal is to build a client base.
Every conversation should lead toward:
👉 ongoing service
👉 not random one-offs
Step 5: Stop Being Shy About Marketing (Confidence Gets Clients)
You do not need to dance on the internet or become an influencer.
You do need to:
Speak clearly
Sound confident
Stop apologizing for selling
Use a script at first until you feel more confident
Clients don’t hire the cheapest cleaner.
They hire the one who sounds like they know what they’re doing.
Confidence book cleaning jobs.
Clarity converts.
Silence keeps you broke.
Step 6: Set Boundaries Early (Or You’ll Regret It Later)
No:
last-minute changes
unpaid extras
emotional discounts
explaining your worth
Yes:
clear policies
written expectations
firm communication
respectful clients
Boundaries aren’t rude.
They’re professional and an absolute must for your business
Final Truth (Read This Twice)
You don’t need:
more motivation
another free video
permission from your family
You need:
a decision
clear systems
support from people who actually get this industry
You’re not “just starting a cleaning business...
You’re building something that can:
✔ support you
✔ pay you properly
✔ give you control over your time
But only if you stop treating it like a side hustle.
Ready to Stop Guessing and Run a Real Cleaning Business?
Most cleaners will read this…
nod…
and go right back to doing the same things.
The ones who actually want different results join Profitable Cleaner Society.
This is where:
pricing gets clearer
confidence gets sharper
and you take control of your income
You don’t need another blog.
You need to make a decision.
👉 Check out Profitable Cleaner Society here
Recent articles:
Why Most Cleaners Are Underpaid
Why I Stopped Offering Deep Cleans in My Solo Cleaning Business
For over 30 years, Trisha built and ran her own successful cleaning business as a solo cleaner handpicking her schedule and consistently earning $5,000+ per month without burnout.
Today, she helps cleaning business owners stop guessing, price with confidence, and run their businesses with structure, boundaries, and CEO-level clarity.
