64 Supplies for Cleaning Businesses of All Types
Getting all the right cleaning supplies just as you’re starting your cleaning business is a great call—for more than one reason.
Having a fully stocked closet will save you from scrambling for supplies at the last minute. And customers won’t even consider hiring your competition if you provide a high-quality clean the first time.
We’ve put together a few cleaning supply checklists you can follow to purchase what you need for residential cleaning, commercial cleaning, or both.
Lean on this guide while you’re setting up your cleaning business, and download this cleaning supplies checklist so you can keep track of what you have and what’s left to buy.
Basic cleaning supplies for all jobs
Here are the basic supplies you need to start your cleaning business, whether your team does residential cleaning, janitorial services, or both:
- Mop and bucket (including a wet mop and dry mop)
- Whisk broom and dustpan
- Lobby broom
- Dusters (short, long, or extendable)
- Vacuum cleaner (with attachments for hardwood and carpet)
- Microfiber cloths (color-coded for different rooms)
- Paper towels
- Glass cleaning cloths
- Detail cleaning brushes
- Sponges
- Scrubbers
- Squeegees and T-bars (if you plan to upsell window cleaning services)
- Laundry bag (for old rags)
- Shoe covers (to keep floors clean)
- Spray bottle (to store homemade products and all-purpose cleaners you need to mix with water)
- Garbage bags and trash liners (in various sizes)
- Bucket or container to carry supplies
Some supplies work just fine at low prices—like microfiber cloths and basic dish soaps—but you’ll generally get a more impressive, professional clean if you invest in high-quality tools you plan to use for a long time, like your vacuum.
Chemical cleaning products
Here’s every chemical cleaning solution—including sprays and other liquid solutions—that you might need for residential and commercial cleaning jobs:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Disinfectants spray
- Glass cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner
- Wood floor cleaner
- Window cleaner
- Carpet cleaner and deodorizers
- Air fresheners
- Tile and grout cleaner
- Mildew and mold removers
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Laundry detergent (if you offer laundry services)
READ MORE: 20 types of cleaning services you can offer
Kitchen appliance cleaning products:
- Oven cleaner
- Stainless steel cleaners
- Dishwashing soap
- Drain cleaners
- Degreaser
Eco-friendly cleaning products
Carry some eco-friendly products so you can offer green cleaning services. These services are good for the environment and attract eco-conscious customers.
Look for green cleaning products made with mostly natural ingredients and biodegradable material, including:
- Plant-based multi-surface cleaner
- Ammonia-free glass cleaners
- Eco-friendly dish soap
- Non-toxic oven cleaner
- Natural degreaser
- Natural fabric softener
- Eco-friendly stain remover
Pro Tip: Add images of your eco-friendly cleaning products to your cleaning estimates. When you build an estimate in Jobber, you can add those products as optional add-ons.
Customers can click and choose your green cleaning product upgrade when they look at your quote online.
Commercial cleaning supplies list
Running a commercial cleaning business? Purchase these additional, specialized tools to clean spaces like offices, clinics, hotels, and event venues:
- Push broom
- Pressure washers
- Floor scrubber, buffer, and polisher
- Carpet cleaning machine or carpet extractor
- Steam cleaners (for upholstery and certain types of floors)
- Squeegees and T-bars with extension poles (to clean large and high windows)
READ MORE: 12 best window cleaning tools for professionals
If you’re working with an office manager who handles cleaning supply purchases, keep in touch to let them know when your janitorial supply is running low.
Should you supply the cleaning products?
You should always supply your own cleaning products. Bringing your own supplies is more convenient for your customers and helps you:
- Look more professional and organized
- Charge more for your cleanings because customers are paying for added convenience
- Clean faster with products you’re already familiar with
If a customer insists you use their cleaning products, ask for a list of all their supplies so you can check that they have enough for you to do the job.
Protective gear for cleaning jobs
Have these safety supplies ready to keep yourself and your customer’s property safe:
- Disposable gloves
- Rubber gloves
- Goggles or face shields (for industrial cleaning)
- Aprons or coveralls
- Non-slip shoes
- Safety signage (like wet floor signs, caution signs, etc)
- First aid kit
Marketing supplies
Promote your cleaning company with these important marketing supplies that you should always keep stocked in your office:
- Cleaning flyers and brochures that list your services, pricing, and unique selling point
- Business cards that are professionally designed with your company contact information and branding
- Promotional postcards that you can mail to homeowners in your neighborhood and promote your residential cleaning offers
- Door hangers that promote your services on every door in your neighborhood or in community buildings
- Vehicle decals or wraps on your cleaning cars or vans that promote your services as you drive
READ MORE: 13 catchy house cleaning ads to copy in your next campaign
Business management tools
You can’t clean without mops and sprays, and you can’t run a business without organizational tools. Here’s what you’ll need to run the day-to-day of your cleaning business:
1. Cleaning business software
Starting a cleaning business on your own—or even with a partner—gets stressful. Equip yourself with scheduling and client management software, like Jobber, so you can avoid time-consuming admin work and start off organized.
Just like a high-quality vacuum or reliable mop, cleaning business software can help you save time, look more professional, and run a more efficient, profitable business.
Without strong scheduling and client management tools, it’s easy to let cleanings and customer requests slip through the cracks. Using Jobber helps you plan more profitable days and keep customers updated (automatically) at every stage.
2. Lead generation tools
Getting more customers through a lead generation platform helps more customers find you. On sites like Thumbtack, customers are actively looking for cleaning services.
On Thumbtack, homeowners list the cleaning tasks they need done. The site connects these homeowners with cleaning pros in their area, and alerts you when there’s a new job that you can bid on.
Plus: Thumbtack connects with Jobber to help you turn leads from Thumbtack into paying customers.
After Thumbtack matches you with the jobs you want, you can seamlessly manage these customers in Jobber, where you’ll track jobs from start to finish.
3. Accounting software
Every business needs accounting software to properly manage expenses, payments, payroll, and financial reporting.
QuickBooks Online is the most reliable and flexible option for small cleaning businesses that need to track supply expenses and get insights for improving profitability.
With QuickBooks Online, you can:
- Easily reconcile your cleaning supply transactions with your bank statement
- Snap and save photos of cleaning supply receipts on your phone, then easily categorize receipt photos to maximize your tax deduction claims
- Automatically track the miles you travel so you can turn your business trips into deductions
- Track billable hours to add to your invoices and customize your mobile timer with details for specific tasks
- Check pre-built reports that show you account balances, cash flow, and track your business finances in one place
Plus, QuickBooks integrates with Jobber so you can keep your customer, invoice, and payment information accurate without any double entry.
READ MORE: QuickBooks Online vs. Desktop: what’s the difference?
Getting the right cleaning supplies doesn’t just help you work more efficiently. This prep work will give you the confidence you need to keep your business running, improving, and growing.
Originally published August 2019. Last updated on December 15, 2023.