22 Unique Cleaning Business Ideas to Kickstart Your Company
You’re thinking of starting a cleaning business, but how do you know what kind of cleaning business you’d enjoy running—and what will earn you the most money?
In this article, we’ll explore several different cleaning services business ideas, explain what services they offer, and show you which options are most profitable.
Try these unique cleaning business ideas:
Most profitable cleaning services
As a potential business owner, there are lots of different types of cleaning businesses you can start. Check out these cleaning business opportunities and see which ones feel like a good fit:
1. Residential cleaning
If you decide to start a residential cleaning business, you can offer basic house cleaning service and deep cleaning for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living spaces.
The average single-person cleaning business brings in around $56,000 USD per year, but you could make much more with added services and a larger cleaning crew.
READ MORE: How much to charge for house cleaning
2. Commercial cleaning
Commercial cleaning service usually includes cleaning offices, retail stores, schools, industrial facilities, and other commercial spaces. It can even include unique spaces like airports.
This type of cleaning takes time but can be profitable. In fact, just one commercial client could earn you upwards of $28,000 a year with the right cleaning contract. Learn how to start a commercial cleaning business.
3. Carpet cleaning
Carpets get dirty fast when people are walking on them all day—and they need a professional to get them clean again. You can also offer same day emergency carpet cleaning for clients who need a quick fix.
If you decide to start a carpet cleaning business, you can expect to make $21,000–46,000 per year on average (although some business owners’ salaries are much higher).
4. Window cleaning
You can clean window interiors and exteriors for both homes and commercial buildings.
Starting a window cleaning business is easy and can be highly profitable, earning you $25,000–54,000 per year.
5. Pressure washing
You can make money by pressure washing siding, fences, houses, roofs, sidewalks, driveways, and other exterior surfaces that build up grime over time.
Learn how to start a pressure washing business and make over $30,000 per year.
READ MORE: Is a cleaning business profitable?
6. Pool cleaning
Swimming pools, both residential and commercial, need to be skimmed regularly and treated with chemicals to keep the water safe.
The average pool cleaner makes more than $30,000 a year, but you can earn more if you start a pool cleaning business yourself.
7. Chimney cleaning
If there are lots of homes in your community with fireplaces and chimneys, there might be an opportunity for you to start a chimney cleaning business. This involves not just cleaning, but also inspections and repairs.
With hard work, you could even do as well as Patriot Chimney and make over $200,000 in your first year.
READ MORE: Cleaning company names: 50 ideas to get you started
8. Trash bin cleaning
Curbside residential trash bins are often sticky, smelly, and a breeding ground for bacteria. You can clean these bins with a specialized vehicle.
Assuming you clean 25 bins a day for $10 each, five days a week, that could mean a minimum of $65,000 per year as a trash bin cleaner. The only limit is how many bins you can clean per day.
Learn how these entrepreneurs started a trash bin cleaning business.
9. Gutter cleaning
If you’re comfortable with heights, you might be interested in removing leaves, branches, and debris from gutters.
The average gutter cleaning job pays $160, so you could be making over $40,000 per year if you complete five jobs every week.
10. Air duct and dryer vent cleaning
Dryer vents and air ducts build up dust and lint over time, so they need to be cleaned to reduce the risk of fire.
This should happen twice a year, which means you can easily win repeat clients as a duct or vent cleaner—and make more than $40,000/year on your own.
READ MORE: 12 best apps for cleaning services
11. Crime scene cleaning
Depending on the crime that happened there, some homes or businesses might need in-depth cleaning before they can be used again.
The average crime scene cleaner makes $25,000–57,000 per year. You’re likely to make even more as the business owner.
12. Disaster cleaning
Flooding, fire, mold, and natural disasters can damage homes and offices without destroying them—and they need to be cleaned before the owners can move back in.
You can make upwards of $3,000 per job as a disaster cleaner, meaning you could make $36,000 per year with just one job each month.
FREE TOOL: Try our free cleaning receipt template
Specialty cleaning service ideas
You can offer all kinds of specialty cleaning services to better meet your clients’ needs, no matter what type of cleaning business you actually run. Try these unique cleaning services:
13. Upholstery cleaning
Use specialized steam cleaning equipment to give new life to your clients’ couches, chairs, curtains, and fabric-covered items.
This removes stains, freshens them up, and makes the whole space smell clean.
14. Closet organization
Many people struggle to keep their closets and cupboards clean and tidy. You can offer organizing services to help get them back on track.
READ MORE: How to promote your cleaning business like a pro
15. Clothing services
You might find that some residential clients will pay extra for you to wash, dry, fold, and put away their laundry.
You could also offer dry cleaning drop-off and pickup, if you’re willing to add extra driving time to your day.
16. Mattress cleaning
Residential clients spend 6–8 hours a day in their beds. That means their mattresses need cleaning just as much as any other surface in their homes.
You can vacuum, steam-clean, and flip the mattress for a better (and cleaner) night’s sleep.
17. Green cleaning
Green cleaning services use eco-friendly cleaning supplies, which are often reusable, recyclable, and non-toxic.
Some clients prefer green cleaning because it’s better for the environment than typical cleaning products—and they’re willing to pay a bit more to get it.
FREE TOOL: Use our free cleaning invoice generator to get paid faster
18. Vehicle detailing
This one might sound strange, but detailing a vehicle is no different from cleaning any other space.
You can vacuum, clean surfaces, and remove stains to keep your clients’ vehicles looking and smelling like they’re fresh off the lot.
19. Move-in/out cleaning
Both residential and commercial clients may want their spaces cleaned before moving in or after moving out. This ensures they’re starting or ending with a clean slate.
Move-in clients may even ask for regular cleaning in the future, too.
20. Construction cleaning
A newly built home or office building is covered in dust, dirt, and construction materials. You can clean the space to make it ready for whoever is moving in.
READ MORE: How to get clients for cleaning business owners
21. Foreclosure cleaning
You can provide cleaning services in situations where the bank forecloses on a house. The home needs to be sold quickly, but it may not be clean enough for a realtor to list.
These homes can be in varying states of cleanliness or disrepair, so it’s good to be prepared for a thorough deep cleaning.
22. Niche services
If you serve one niche group—for example, professionals who work long hours—you can provide services that specifically apply to their needs.
They don’t even have to be cleaning related. Hardworking professionals might appreciate a house cleaner who also offers grocery shopping or is willing to walk their dog.
READ MORE: 20 cleaning industry trends and statistics to help you plan for 2022
Ready to apply these ideas for your cleaning company? Just choose the type of cleaning business you’d like to start and add on specialized services.
You’ll be ready to grow your cleaning business in no time.