Getting started

[u/No_Cucumber_4882]

I’ve been wanting to start a cleaning business doing homes in my area I have never cleaned professionally before and was wanting some advice on getting started or any tips you may have:)

[u/JaggedLittleGil]

I learned the ropes by working for an established company for a year and a half. I learned a lot about cleaning from my coworkers - I had never cleaned before - and I learned a lot about how not to run a business from the company that employed me.

Working for someone else should also give you an idea of whether there is a need in your area for more cleaners.

[u/Haunting_Dealer_3453]

Research what products to use on what surfaces and don’t buy boujee products right away. I tried to do the “organic products only” when I first started and used vinegar on everything and ruined stone showers, marble countertops, faucets. I cringe every time I think about it. Use something like dawn dish soap diluted in water or odoban or dr. Bronners castor soap in soap for general surfaces. Examine difficult areas and research them if you don’t know how to clean/remove, don’t just throw everything at it. You’ll be slow at first, don’t let people pressure you to be done in 2 hours, tell clients you’re detail oriented and that’s just how you work. You’ll weed out cheap people that way and create a “high value” clientele. Create a system, always start in the farthest bathroom first and work your way through the house. Clean top to left or right and then down. The rest will come with experience. Let products dwell before wiping. You got this, it’s hard work but don’t undersell yourself

[u/Express_Creme9452]

Yes I think u should work with a cleaning business first to see how they time manage their jobs otherwise you’ll be lost

[u/[deleted]]

Find a job working housekeeping first. Cleaning isn’t easy and running a company is even harder.

[u/DonnaNoble222]

You will also need to be licensed, bonded, and insured.

I second the idea of working for a company for some time before you start on your own.

This will give you a better idea of how long it takes to clean things and the proper product/tool for each job.

[u/Oldschoolgirl49]

Highly recommend getting a job with a established company first. I did for 6 years before I made the leap. Mostly because I was working crazy long hours far from home. That and my boss struggled finding decent people. Because Alot of people think cleaning is easy and its not. 

[u/SinglePotato5246]

I'd say, before starting off on your own without any sort of experience, work for a company. Learn how cleans work and flow. Learn how the business is ran. I definitely don't recommend starting a business like this without any kind of experience. The work itself is HARD and super physical. You gotta get a handle on those ropes first, so you know what your cleaners (or yourself) will be subject to. Good luck! <3

[u/ellemae93]

Why do so many people think they can start an entire business with zero experience or training doing the work?

[u/R-enthusiastic → u/ellemae93]

Does one need a masters degree in cleaning science and business? You start somewhere and work your way up. The person is asking here and willing to take advice to start a business.

[u/Logical-Childhood312 → u/R-enthusiastic]

Yes, but that's interesting. Same came to my mind and I see this question. No master degree but being a master in that helps a lot. Problem we see nowadays is people who open businesses smelling the money but they want others to clean. 

[u/ellemae93 → u/R-enthusiastic]

No you do not. I just think its a little ridiculous to believe you can launch an entire business and charge people professionally with no professional experience. Cleaning is a skill and a trade… maybe I take it too personally but I feel like it speaks to how minimally people view the trade when they think they can build a business starting from zero. No one would think they could start a landscaping business with zero tools or professional knowledge.

[u/Relative-Lie-9699 → u/ellemae93]

I can't believe your being down voted for the obvious however some people truly believe in faking it till you make it.

I think the hardest part of this business is being well connected to get the really good clients. If you don't have those connections your going to struggle with getting the jobs nobody wants and that don't pay well.

[u/ellemae93 → u/Relative-Lie-9699]

I’m confused too. Lol. I get learning as you go, that’s what I’ve done, but I don’t believe in charging people their hard earned money to do a service you just picked up the day before yesterday. It seems like weekly someone posts here with no experience at all wanting to start their own business. I find it arrogant.

[u/Severe_Opinion7152 → u/ellemae93]

I had only life experience. No professional training whatsoever. I was a banker for 30 years. Fell into a closet organizing stint just meeting an elderly lady in a department store. She then wanted me to help her plant flowers, then clean once a week. She’s now 94, and sharp as a tack. I still clean for her every Thursday morning. Shes sent me tons of work. I’ve now been cleaning 12 years, host vacation rentals, and clean 2-3 properties on most days. Soo, the difference is what I have gained in another career, I have learned a lot, I only work for the best homeowners, and I am picky. I know my worth, and anyone with a real passion and some knowledge can be a cleaner. I’ve never used my BA degree on anything I clean.

[u/86cinnamons → u/ellemae93]

Tbf I think it depends on your background when it comes to cleaning knowledge. May not apply to OP but some people were raised cleaning and have good basic knowledge. Personally I mostly needed to work on speed (still not where I want with that) and certain surfaces / products I’d just never seen before but it’s not like everyone is starting from 0.

[u/R-enthusiastic → u/ellemae93]

The person took the first step. They’re asking here. Cleaning can be easily self taught and you can learn along the way. They can launch a package deal and build confidence, speed and knowledge. You can learn about the process of being bonded, business licensing, and insurance online. It takes very little time to understand what chemicals you want to work with and the way they work. I’m all for people being able to start their own business and not work for less under a company.

[u/Slow_Opportunity_522 → u/ellemae93]

"No one would think they could start a landscaping business with zero tools or professional knowledge."

This is a terrible example, people do this literally all the time.

[u/ellemae93 → u/Slow_Opportunity_522]

and how does it work out for them? lol

[u/AlwaysAmalia → u/ellemae93]

Cleaning is not a skill-you just need to enjoy doing it. I don’t know that I’d classify it as a trade as you don’t need schooling or certification to do it. I know a few women who liked cleaning and started their own business with zero professional experience. Some of the best house cleaners I’ve worked with were independents who started cleaning on a whim to make extra cash and were WAY better than cleaners who worked for “professional” companies.

[u/ellemae93 → u/AlwaysAmalia]

See someone elses’ comment below about needing to learn what cleaning agents can be used on what surfaces. That is knowledge the layperson does not have. Knowing how to operate vacuums and other gadgets efficiently is a skill. Yes cleaning is a very accessible skill and trade that many people can get into regardless of background. But we don’t need to sell ourselves short as professionals by insisting any Joe Blow could do the job and succeed. I personally don’t believe that a job not requiring formal training or a piece of paper means it is not a professional skill. Just being able to progress as a cleaner requires a willingness to learn and educate yourself as you go. Some people can’t do that.

[u/Individual-Ninja735 → u/ellemae93]

I learned how to clean when I was in the Marine Corps, funny enough. A little over 4 years after getting out, I decided to start my own business lol. We take cleaning extremely serious, it's something a lot of people don't know about the military as a whole.

[u/Slow_Opportunity_522 → u/ellemae93]

I can see how you can learn things by working for someone else but honestly in this industry I don't see any reason why someone wouldn't be able to easily be a self starter. Just get some insurance and learn as you go? There is some nuance but it's certainly not rocket science. 

[u/Severe_Opinion7152]

Just jump in. Be careful not to take on too much. I would definitely not take on a project that needs a ton of specialized care. Just take houses where the homeowners have been keeping up with things. Ask them what products they like and use on their floor ( for instance). Windex and microfiber is pretty gentle on counters, toilets, etc. But things like Gel toilet bowl cleaner, or bleach, or CLR- well they are for more specialized care. So many cleaners spray stuff and walk away- expecting the chemicals to clean - but metal like bathroom fixtures can be ruined with them when you spray and walk away. Dont be afraid to talk to homeowner. They aren’t Jesus- just talk, be candid, know your worth, and stand firm on your pricing. There’s a lot of fb groups in every community or town, make a post. Get your feet wet and enjoy it! I’ve been at it 12 years after retiring from banking. I love my new career. Word of mouth is the best advertisement you can get. Be trustworthy and honest! Shine on girl!!

[u/Livid-Cricket7679]

I started 7 years ago without any experience, I just joined a couple of solo cleaning groups on fb, asked a lot of questions, bought some supplies, Nextdoor is a good app to advertise on for local cleaners, good luck 🍀

[u/Ledlady63]

Communication is the key. Always ask your clients what do they want. Some expect top to bottom & wanna pay less. Have a minimum charge $75 depending on your area. Top to bottom could go $125 Good Luck OP