How to be a professional house cleaner?

Author: Shanie Gerhold  |  Last update: Monday, October 20, 2025

How to be a self-employed housekeeper
  1. Get experience. Most housekeepers spend several years working for a cleaning agency before starting their own businesses. ...
  2. Determine business requirements. ...
  3. Choose a company name. ...
  4. Get insured. ...
  5. Buy equipment and supplies. ...
  6. Set your rates. ...
  7. Market yourself.

How do you become a professional house cleaner?

Starting out with a cleaning agency is a good way to gain experience and develop your cleaning skills. House cleaners who choose to start their own house cleaning business need to have basic accounting proficiency and be able to cultivate relationships and attract clientele.

How do professional cleaners clean so fast?

Professional cleaners don't circle a room more than once. Taking their place before the bathroom sink, they'll spray and wipe the mirror, scrub the sink, wipe down counters and polish fixtures before they move one inch to the right or left. Don't get physical with your cleaning sessions—make every movement count.

What do most house cleaners charge per hour?

Hourly: $30 to $50 per hour, per cleaner on-site. Flat fee: $400 to $800 depending on the size of the job. Per room: $125 to $175 for an average single-family home. Per square foot: $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot.

What type of cleaning pays the most?

Generally, commercial cleaning businesses are more profitable than residential ones, especially when you add on services like floor waxing, window washing, and deep disinfecting. With that, several additional factors can impact the profitability of a commercial cleaning business.

How to Start a Cleaning Business and Make $1,000 A DAY

How to start a house cleaning business?

What do you need to start a cleaning business?
  1. Get to know your local market.
  2. Choose what cleaning services you'll offer.
  3. Register your company name and choose a business structure.
  4. Get a business license.
  5. Get cleaning business insurance.
  6. Set up accounting and bookkeeping.
  7. Stock cleaning supplies and equipment.

How do I quote a cleaning job?

First, take the square footage of your client's home and divide it by your rate of square feet cleaned per hour. Then, multiply it by your hourly rate. The total number is how much you'll charge for a single job in that client's home.

What do professional cleaners use to dust?

My #1 tool for dusting is a good quality general purpose microfiber cloth—but the real key here is using it DRY first! As soon as you wet your cloth or surface, dust turns into a paste-like substance that you'll just smear around, and in the end, it becomes much more challenging to clean off.

What should a cleaner get done in 3 hours?

What can be achieved in 3 hours?
  • Vacuuming the entire house.
  • Cleaning the bathrooms, including toilets, sinks, showers and baths.
  • Cleaning the kitchen, including mopping the floor.
  • Wiping surfaces down, emptying bins, clean mirrors etc.

What is the hardest cleaning job?

Deep Carpet Cleaning

Carpets are some of the most challenging surfaces to clean. They are prone to dirt, spills, stains, and dust. Deep carpet cleaning requires advanced cleaning equipment that goes beyond regular vacuuming.

Do you need a license to be a house cleaner?

California. To get your cleaning business started in California, you must apply through CalGold and the California Franchise Tax Board. Start by registering your business with the county and city.

How profitable is house cleaning?

It is important to note that a residential cleaning service likely won't make you rich. Your business can be profitable but most small cleaning businesses will make anywhere between $20,000 and $50,000 per year. Here are a few common services that residential house cleaners offer.

How to be a self-employed house cleaner?

How to be a self-employed housekeeper
  1. Get experience. Most housekeepers spend several years working for a cleaning agency before starting their own businesses. ...
  2. Determine business requirements. ...
  3. Choose a company name. ...
  4. Get insured. ...
  5. Buy equipment and supplies. ...
  6. Set your rates. ...
  7. Market yourself.

How much does a cleaning license cost?

Registering Your Cleaning Business

Sole Proprietorship: $0-100 (business license fees) Doing Business As (DBA): $65-100. General Partnership: $70-$150 filing fee. Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): $70 filing fee; $800 annual tax fee.

How do I get clients for my cleaning business?

How to Get Clients for a Cleaning Business: Established
  1. Expand your territory. Take on a larger area of work. ...
  2. Expand your network. Connect with networks that have a customer base matching your audience. ...
  3. Invest in technology. ...
  4. Purchase a competitor.

How often should a cleaning lady come?

The most common option chosen by our clients is bi-weekly cleaning (every two weeks). However, weekly cleanings are better if you have a large family or several pets. Another reason to have weekly cleanings is if you entertain often and need your home guest-ready at all times.

How much does Molly Maid charge for house cleaning?

Average Molly Maid prices

House cleaning by Molly Maid costs $60 to $100 per hour for a 2- to 3-person team, depending on your home size and needs. Most people pay about $120 to $300 per visit for a standard cleaning service that lasts 2 to 3 hours. Initial visits and deep cleans cost $300 to $500.

How long does it take to clean a 3 bedroom house?

3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home: If you have a typical three-bedroom home or apartment, you can expect to spend about three hours a week on basic cleaning. You should also set aside 1.5 hours when you do deep cleaning tasks.

Is cleaning a good side hustle?

Key Benefits of Choosing Residential Cleaning as a Side Hustle. Flexibility to set your own hours and work around other commitments. Low startup costs with minimal equipment required to begin. High demand for cleaning services offers consistent work opportunities.

Can you become a millionaire owning a cleaning business?

Starting a business can be challenging, time-consuming, and very demanding. While many people believe that only the lucky few are blessed with the capabilities to become millionaires, the truth is that anyone can build a successful cleaning business and become a millionaire.

How to start a cleaning business?

How to start a cleaning business
  1. Research and plan.
  2. Define your services and pricing structure.
  3. Obtain necessary licenses and insurance.
  4. Purchase equipment and supplies.
  5. Develop effective systems and processes.
  6. Build a strong team.
  7. Market your cleaning business.

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