How to Build a Thriving Cleaning Business

A Complete Guide On How to Become a Successful Cleaner

Working as a cleaner means that you’ll always be in demand. After all, with clients across the residential and domestic sector through to commercial, industrial and specialist industries, there’s no shortage of potential demand.

Discovering how to become a cleaner doesn’t have to be convoluted, and we’ve broken down everything you need to know in this handy guide.  

What does being a good cleaner include

Working as a cleaner can involve a very wide range of duties and activities. From simply tidying up to scrubbing, dusting, mopping, polishing, vacuuming and wiping the many different aspects of cleaning will be largely dependent on the particulars of the setting and application.

Some cleaners additionally empty bins and other waste containers, as well as offering various disinfecting and similar hygienic cleaning work. Cleaners who specialize in external cleaning may also engage in tidying up leaves and other environmental debris, or getting rid of graffiti. Ultimately, as a cleaner it’s up to you to ensure the area(s) you’re in charge of are free of dust, dirt, grime and germs.

Non-cleaning Related Work

In addition to general cleaning, cleaners often offer a wide variety of extra services such as refilling supplies, cleaning and otherwise. Some cleaners can reorder supplies and stock, check equipment operation and ensure that general health and safety protocols are followed and upheld.

Cleaning comes with quite a lot of responsibility as you will often have access to premises outside of normal hours and be responsible for locking up the location securely at the end of your cleaning shift.

When do cleaners work 

Cleaners are known to work irregular hours or after normal business hours, especially for commercial clients. Other cleaning companies operate on split or rolling/rotating shifts. There's enough variety of full-time, part-time and casual work as a cleaner for you to find the right work schedule for you.

What makes for a good cleaner

Being a good cleaner requires a number of skills and attributes.

If you are responsible and punctual, good at time management and trustworthy, your cleaning services are sure to be in demand.

Cleaners need to be meticulous and methodical with a high level of attention to detail to ensure that their cleaning is thorough and of a high quality. Whilst the cleaning tasks of any particular job do vary, most cleaning requires a significant amount of movement so a decent level of stamina, fitness and physical ability is required.

Here are a few key things to consider if you want to be the best at your job and running your business

Aim to always learn

Technology advances affect the equipment you use, safety issues affect the chemicals you clean with, and there will always be ways you can enhance your organizational and managerial skills. Read industry publications, go to meetings and conventions, participate in trade organizations and encourage your suppliers to keep you up to date.

Explore all the resources available

A wide range of associations serves various aspects of the professional cleaning industry. These groups can help with operational, marketing and management issues.

Clean like its yours

Regardless of what you're cleaning and whether you're doing traditional housecleaning, janitorial work or providing a specialty cleaning service, clean like you're cleaning your own home or office.

Develop the best Operations and Procedures

System provide a structure that allows you to work consistently and efficiently, and also lets your business continue to run whether you're there or not. Create systems for every function: cleaning, laundry, supervision, reporting, customer service, accounting and management.

Be careful!

Though time is your most valuable commodity, don't rush so much that you get careless. Customers will usually understand when accidents happen, but you're better off if you don't have to fall back on that. Also, the cost to repair or replace something in out-of-pocket cash, time lost and damaged customer relations is usually far more than the time you might save by working carelessly.

Don’t undersell yourself

When you're starting out, you may be tempted to try to undercut the competition's prices. A better strategy is to simply outperform them by providing quality work.

Find Your niche

Don't try to be all things to all people; pick the market you can best serve, and focus on that. For example, if you choose to service smaller office buildings, you may not be able to provide quality work at a profitable price level to larger facilities. Excel in what you're doing and build consistency in the services you provide. When you try to serve too many markets, you won't be successful in any of them.

Develop your digital skills

You need to be as skilled digitally as you are with a mop or buffer. The cleaning business may not be particularly high tech, but you don't have time to do estimates, billing, payroll, inventory control and other record-keeping by hand. Your business should also have an extensive online presence with a website, social media accounts.

Invest in customer service

The quality of your cleaning is important, but it's not everything. Building strong relationships with your clients requires a serious commitment to customer service. Don't assume that just because the work looks satisfactory to you that it is to your customers or that there's nothing else they want or need. Be sure to follow up with them consistently to find out how things are going.

Keep your eye on the economy

As long as things get dirty, they'll be a need for professionals to clean them. But economic changes can mean changes in your market. Residential cleaning services, for example, are often seen as luxuries, and an economic downturn could affect your customers' willingness and ability to pay to have their homes cleaned. When business profits shrink, companies look for ways to cut expenses, which means they may examine their budgets for services that can be reduced or eliminated.

Also consider how the world economy can impact your profitability. If oil prices skyrocket, you'll have to spend more to operate your vehicles, and your general utility costs will probably increase. When the cost of lumber goes up, so does the cost of bathroom tissue, paper towels and other disposable paper products you provide to your customers. You may be able to pass along some of those costs, but don't depend on a thriving economy to keep your business profitable. Have plans in place so you can shift your market focus if necessary.

Don’t take every job

If you can't make money on a job, or if the work is undesirable for any reason, turn it down. It's better to focus your time and energy on profitable work you enjoy.

How to become a cleaner

Required Qualifications

There are no formal qualifications required to become a cleaner. However, many cleaning companies do require a minimal education level as well as other certifications such as a National Police Clearance Check and/or a Working with Children Check if you’re cleaning an educational or childcare institution.

Optional Certifications

If you are looking to distinguish yourself from other cleaners, you can always pursue a relevant qualification by completing a course in Cleaning Operations. Some cleaners also opt to specialize in a particular type of cleaning like high-rise window cleaning or cleaning in specialist industries like hospitals, trauma or crime scenes, or bio-waste facilities. For these specialist cleaning services, completing a certification in the relevant cleaning management will help accelerate your career.

Cleaning Experience and Apprenticeships

Apart from a certificate in cleaning or other qualification, one way of ensuring you’re best positioned to kick start your cleaning career is to make sure you get relevant experience providing professional cleaning services. The more experience you get the more attractive your resume will be to both potential employers and clients. To find out more about more formal cleaning apprenticeships options, click here to read our handy guide. If you’re planning on operating as a cleaner solo and focusing on providing domestic cleaning services, your reputation is your greatest asset. The better your cleaning services the more likely your clients are to recommend and refer you to their friends and family.

Health and Safety Courses

Many cleaners who are looking to work specifically in industrial environments also choose to undertake health and safety courses which better prepares and qualifies them for operating in such industries.