The Cleaning business (The Definitive Guide)

1- Types of Cleaning businesses

2- Cleaning supplies list

3- List of cleaning companies

The first thing we need to talk about is the different types of cleaning businesses, and there are so many. Starting off with Residential cleaning business there are many subsets here!

1-Types of Cleaning businesses

Residential cleaning

Commercial cleaning

Office cleaning

Carpet Cleaning

Floor Cleaning

Roof Cleaning

HVAC/Dust cleaning

Window Cleaning

Pool and hot tub cleaning

Janitorial cleaning

Restaurant cleaning

Laundry Cleaning

Chimney Cleaning

Construction Clean up

Disaster and flood clean up

Pressure washing and cleaning

Crime scene cleaning and clean up

Move in and out cleaning

Drapery and blinds cleaning

Tile and grout cleaning

Furniture and upholstery cleaning

Details around each cleaning business

Residential cleaning

Research Summary. Using a database of 30 million profiles,  estimates demographics and statistics for House Cleaners in the United States. These estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy:

• There are over 80,295 House Cleaners currently employed in the United States.
• 81.6% of all House Cleaners are women, while 14.0% are men.
• The average age of an employed House Cleaner is 47 years old.
• The most common ethnicity of House Cleaners is White (61.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (20.0%) and Black or African American (10.5%).
• The majority of House Cleaners are located in NY, New York and PA, Philadelphia.
• House Cleaners are paid an average annual salary of $23,393.
• House Cleaners average starting salary is $18,000.
• In 2021, women earned 96% of what men earned.
• The top 10% of highest-paid House Cleaners earn as much as $29,000 or more.
• 7% of all House Cleaners are LGBT.
• House Cleaners are more likely to work at Private companies in comparison to Public companies.

Questions Clients Ask About The Residential Cleaning Industry

Commercial cleaning – office cleaning, hospital cleaning, manufacturer, warehouse cleaning, school cleaning, senior care cleaning, nursing home cleaning, sports and gyms cleaning

As of May 2020, there were over 3.24 million people working in the cleaning services industry in the United States. Janitors and cleaners (not including maids and housekeeping cleaners) made up the largest portion of employees in this industry and earned a mean annual income of 28,950 U.S. dollars. Janitors and cleaners are largely employed within the services to buildings and dwellings industry and in elementary and secondary schools. In 2019, the revenue of janitorial services in the U.S. reached 61 billion U.S. dollars.

• The number of janitorial services businesses in the U.S. grew at a rate of 5.7% per year from 2016 to 2021.
• The commercial cleaning industry is expected to grow at a rate of 5.4% annually through 2025.
• Employment of janitors and building cleaners is expected to grow 4% per year through 2029.

Office cleaning

• watering plants (pruning as well)
• cleaning sinks, refrigerators, microwaves and toasters in office kitchens; clearing recycling and garbage bins

• dusting furniture and computer equipment (monitors and desk area, but excluding keyboards) and tables

Carpet Cleaning

Carpet cleaning is performed to remove stains, dirt, and allergens from carpets. Common methods include hot water extraction, dry-cleaning, and vacuuming.

Hot water extraction

Hot water extraction, sometimes mistakenly called “steam cleaning”, uses equipment that sprays hot water and detergent into the carpet and extracts it along with any dislodged and dissolved dirt. Many experts recommend hot water extraction as the most effective carpet cleaning method.

Hot water extraction equipment may be a portable electrical units, or for large jobs truck mount carpet cleaner with long hoses may be used as this may be faster and more effective than portable equipment.

A common process of hot water extraction begins with preconditioning. Alkaline agents such as ammonia solution for synthetic carpets, or mild acidic solutions such as dilute acetic acid for woollen carpets, are sprayed into the carpet, then agitated with a grooming brush or an automatic scrubbing machine. Next, a pressurized manual or automatic cleaning tool known as a wand passes over the surface to rinse out all pre-conditioner, residue, and particulates. If an alkaline detergent is used on a woollen carpet, a mild acetic acid solution will neutralize the alkaline residues and restore neutral fiber pH.

Thorough extraction is important to avoid problems such as mold growth and browning of wool. Carpet cleaning specialists try to find a balance between rapid drying (using less fluid) and the need to remove the most soil (using more fluid). Drying time may also be decreased by fans, de-humidifiers or simply opening windows.

Roof Cleaning

A dirty roof can lead to serious damage, void your roof’s warranty, and lower your home’s value. That’s why it’s essential you maintain your roof by cleaning it or hiring a pro. Follow these easy cleaning tips to remove roof stains, mildew, mold, and algae, to keep your roof looking polished.

1. Chemical-Free, Low-Pressure Roof Cleaning Method

Worried about the chemicals used to clean stains off your roof? Don’t be! Many roof cleaning companies offer chemical-free roof cleaning. Be sure to ask for this method specifically when hiring a roof cleaner in your area.

A chemical-free roof-cleaning should be free of the following:

Chlorine bleach

Phosphates

Vegetation-killing chemicals

Waterway-polluting chemicals

Another plus is that this method uses a low-pressure rinse finish to clean stains off your roof instead of high-pressure scrubbing and brushing.

Other perks of this roof-cleaning method include:

Instant results

Won’t damage shingles

Won’t damage surrounding landscaping

Be prepared to pay between $0.20 to $0.60 per square foot for this ultra-safe, eco-friendly roof-cleaning option compared to cleaning with chlorine bleach.

Make sure your contractor guarantees that algae, lichens, and moss will be 100% gone before they leave. Ask about signing up for an annual “roof stain” prevention program.

2. Chlorine Bleach Roof Cleaning Method

Have tough roof stains that you haven’t been able to remove in the past? Many professional roof cleaners offer a stain-removing option that consists of sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) and sodium hydroxide mixed with other chemicals like trisodium phosphate (TSP).

The chlorine bleach roof-cleaning method works like this:

Spray your roof with the formula

Apply formula a second time after drying

Lingering stains, moss, and lichens disappear gradually

Keep in mind that it can take months for lingering roof stains and growth to sluff off. While rain makes the process quicker, you’ll need to inspect your roof to monitor your progress with this method.

Lower cost is the perk of choosing the bleach method. A bleach-based roof cleaning typically costs between $0.15 and $0.30 per square foot. The big downside is that the results aren’t instant like they are with a low-pressure spray wash.

Here’s a look at some other things to be mindful of when choosing a bleach roof-cleaning method:

Possible strong odor

Exposure could harm people or pets

Bleach can hurt landscaping

Potential waterway leakage

If you’re avoiding a bleach roof-cleaning, ask your contractor about bleach usage ahead of time. Contractors that use runoff recovery systems, cover plants, or wet plants before, during, or after the job, probably use bleach.

The bottom line is that deciding to use bleach comes down to your home’s location and local environment.

Benefits of Roof Cleaning

Roof cleaning not only boosts your home’s curb appeal, it helps protect your investment.

3. High-Pressure Power-Washing Method

This roof-cleaning option “blasts” stains with high-pressure water. But it’s not right for every roof. The main concern is that high pressure can damage shingles. It also doesn’t get rid of the root systems of things growing on your roof. Algae often returns.

A good test is to ask your cleaning pro to use the sprayer on their own hand. If they can’t, it means the pressure is strong enough to harm your shingles.

4. Upgrade to Algae-Proof Shingles

If it feels like you can’t keep up with what’s needed to maintain your roof to get rid of algae black streaks, consider upgrading to algae-resistant shingles, which cost about 10% to 20% more than non-treated roofing materials.

Designed for climates that are susceptible to algae growth, these shingles feature copper granules mixed with standard roofing materials.

5. Get a Separate Estimate for Moss

If you have what looks like a moss infestation, you may need a local roof moss removal expert with a separate bag of tools.

Moss removal for your roof typically entails:

A special de-mossing spray

Low-pressure spraying to loosen moss

Getting on the roof to manually remove remaining moss

6. DIY Method for Roof Stains

If your roof angle is not too steep and you feel comfortable working up there, you can try to handle roof stain removal yourself. However, it’s always best to hire a roof-cleaning pro to ensure safety. If you decide to clean stains off your roof yourself, be sure to use safety equipment.

To DIY roof stain removal, you’ll need the following items:

Full-body safety harness

Hand sprayer

Cleaning solution

Gloves and goggles

Long garden hose with high-pressure nozzle

Whatever method you choose to remove roof stains, keep in mind that roofing is dangerous work with a high accident rate. Before you DIY, get a quote from a local roof cleaning contractor. You will probably find that hiring a pro is easier and safer than doing it yourself.

Additional types of cleaning services.

HVAC/Duct cleaning

Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to improve the quality of your indoor air. You have probably seen an advertisement, received a coupon in the mail, or been approached directly by a company offering to clean your air ducts as a means of improving your home’s indoor air quality. These services typically — but not always — range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on:
the services offered

Window Cleaning

Pool and hot tub cleaning

Janitorial cleaning

Restaurant cleaning

Laundry Cleaning

Chimney Cleaning

Construction Clean up

Disaster and flood clean up

Pressure washing and cleaning

Crime scene cleaning and clean up

Crime scene cleanup is a term applied to cleanup of blood, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). It is also referred to as biohazard remediation, and forensic cleanup, because crime scenes are only a portion of the situations in which biohazard cleaning is needed. Incidents which may require this type of cleanup include accidents, suicide (or attempted suicide), homicides, and decomposition after unattended death, as well as mass trauma, industrial accidents, infectious disease contamination, animal biohazard contamination (e.g. feces or blood) or regulated waste transport, treatment, and disposal.

Move in and out cleaning

Drapery and blinds cleaning

Tile and grout cleaning

Furniture and upholstery cleaning

List of Cleaning Companies

2-Cleaning supplies list

These are the basic cleaning supplies that you need to get started. Here are the cleaning products you need for cleaning your whole house from top to bottom.

• Rubber gloves
• Sponges
• Bucket
• Polishing Cloths (these microfiber cloths are great)
• Broom and dustpan
• Swiffer Floor Mop
• Duster (we use a Swiffer)
• Toilet brush
• Trash can
• Garbage bags
• Recycling bags
• Spray bottle
• Scrub brush
• Toothbrush
• Squeegee
• Mop and bucket
• Vacuum
• Glass scraper
• Microfiber cloths (we swear by these ones)
• Towels
• Rags
• SOS or Steel wool
• Paper towels
• Plunger
• Carry Caddy
• • Windex
  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Toilet bowl cleaner
  • Dish soap
  • White Vinegar
  • CLR
  • Lysol Disinfectant wipes
  • Hardwood floor polish
  • Furniture polish
  • Clean Magic Erasers
  • Clean (this one is Gain scented)
  • Vim
  • Scrubbing bubbles
  • Glass top cleaner for stovetop
  • Bleach
  • Oven Cleaner

3-List of Cleaning Companies

• Chem-Dry – a carpet, tile, wood, and upholstery cleaner based in Logan, Utah.

• Clean Harbors – a provider of environmental, energy and industrial services, including hazardous waste cleaning services and disposal.
• Coit Cleaners – a California-based specialty cleaning company founded in 1945 in San Francisco, California.
• Handy – an online two-sided marketplace for residential cleanings and other home services founded in 2012 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is now based in New York City and operates services in United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
• Helpling – formerly Hassle.com, a European online marketplace for household services.
• Homejoy – a former online platform which connected customers with home service providers, including house cleaners and handymen.
• ISS A/S – a facility services company founded in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1901.
• Jani-King – an American chain and franchise of cleaning services.
• Merry Maids – an international franchisor which sells and supports residential cleaning services franchisees throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, it was founded in 1979 and joined with ServiceMaster in 1988.
• Molly Maid – an internationally franchised company with over 400 individual franchisees throughout the world. They are listed on the Franchise 500 List and one of America’s Top Global Franchises by Entrepreneur Magazine.
• FastMaid Services – an American house cleaning service chain.
• New Britain Dry Cleaning Corporation – a New Britain, Connecticut-based company founded in 1912 by Rudolph J. Kloiber. It grew to become the largest dry cleaning company in the city and one of the largest in central Connecticut before it was sold in 1974.
• ServiceMaster Clean – a franchisor selling and supporting fire and water disaster restoration, janitorial, commercial, residential, and floor care services franchisees through the United States, Canada, and 10 other countries.
• Spotless Group Holdings – an Australian listed company that provides Integrated facility services in Australian and New Zealand through a number of in house brands.
• Superior Rug Cleaning – founded in 1946, later absorbed by the John Leavitt Rug Cleaning company.

• TaskRabbit – an online and mobile marketplace founded in 2008 that matches freelance labor with local demand, allowing consumers to find immediate help with everyday tasks, including cleaning, moving, delivery and handyman work.

Start up ideas

Thinking about Starting your own Cleaning Business?  If so, check out our guide to starting a cleaning business right here.