–A comprehensive professional house cleaning supplies list.
As a professional house cleaner, you are expected to have the right supplies at the right time for the job. Your equipment and supplies are what assist you in providing that exceptional service that your clients want and expect.
Don’t show up to a client’s home without the needed cleaning supplies to clean a home. This comprehensive cleaning supplies list was created for professional house cleaners. You won’t use all of these supplies with each house you clean, but there will be times when you will need to use each of these listed.
Professional cleaning services that provide the cleaning supplies needed to clean a home. When pricing new cleaning jobs companies should take into account the cost of these supplies.
Choose equipment and supplies that will work for you so that you spend less time scrubbing. With the right supplies, you can clean faster, while still maintaining a high-quality clean.
Professional House Cleaning Supplies List
Please note, this article may include affiliate links. You can read the full disclosure at the bottom of the page.
50-foot extension cord – used to plug in vacuum and steam mop so that you can vacuum larger areas without having to find another outlet.
5 & 10 Gallon plastic bags – used to line bathroom garbage cans. The client loves the detail thought and makes it easier to empty and keep cans clean.
2-step step stool – used to reach high areas in a home. Usually, liability insurance will not allow higher than a 2-step ladder. Check your insurance if you decide to go with a larger one.
Heavy Duty Cleaner – used for tough jobs. Great for build-up in showers and bathrooms.
Glass Cleaner – Any glass cleaner will work. We diluted an essential oil cleaner and worked awesomely and smelled great. You can even use a mixture of vinegar and water.
Bar Keepers Friend – used for porcelain sinks or stainless steel. This was the best way we found to get porcelain sinks to look brand new.
Wood polish/cleaner – used on wood furniture only when the client requested it. This is a light cleaner that can be sprayed directly on your microfiber dusting cloth and does not take much buffing.
Toilet bowl brush – I highly recommend you use your clients. It is not fun carting around a used toilet brush. If you do though, purchase one with a sealed lid like the one shown in the link.
A few rules to follow when bringing house cleaning supplies to a clients home.
#1 Always use the same supplies.
All cleaning supplies work differently and leave a different clean. By using the same supplies, you’ll become very familiar with how to use them. And secondly, you will provide a consistent cleaning service. Once you find the supplies that work for you and your business stick with them.
#2 Always keep backup cleaning supplies.
You don’t want to arrive at a job and run out of toilet bowl cleaners halfway through the job. When we cleaned houses, we always kept backup cleaning supplies in the car. This way when we arrived at a house to clean, we would fill up our cleaning bottles before we went into the house.
#3 Use quality products.
Stay away from dollar store cleaners or off-brands. They do not clean as well as premium cleaning supplies.
By buying quality house cleaning supplies you will provide a better cleaning service for your clients. Plus you will have to do less scrubbing because the cleaning products will work better at cutting through soap scum, grease, and grim.
#4 Buy Cleaning Supplies in Bulk as much as you can.
Save money and the environment by purchasing your cleaning solutions in bulk and not by individual-use bottles. Cleaners that you buy at the store for single use are diluted with water and create lots of extra waste that ends up in the landfill.
Purchase quality reusable spray bottles (16 oz fits best when using a cleaning apron) and add your own water. This will save you lots of money in the long run. You can also be proud that your business is environmentally friendly by reducing the waste that it generates.
#5 Properly label all cleaning supplies.
When you are buying in bulk and diluting your own cleaning solution it is VERY important to label all spray bottles so that you know what cleaner is in them. Don’t make the mistake of spraying the wrong cleaner on a delicate surface that can be damaged.
Never mix cleaning solutions in your spray bottles. If a bottle was used for All Purpose cleaning ONLY fill that bottle with All Purpose cleaner. Cleaning solutions are chemicals and will create a chemical reaction when mixed, so never repurpose a spray bottle for a different type of cleaner.
#6 Maintain your equipment for cleanliness and safety.
Keep your equipment and supplies looking clean and in working condition. Don’t bring broken down and dirty equipment into a client’s home. They will notice and this does not look positive for your cleaning business.
Have a nightly routine where you clean out your vacuum filters. We always had extra so we could clean filters each night with hot water. Wipe down all other equipment including mops, steamers, dusters, and any other equipment you may have.
Wipe down all spray bottles after each cleaning service, you can do this while you are topping them off to prepare for the next house. Clean out your cleaning caddies each evening and never toss garbage or dirty towels in them to help keep them clean and sanitary.
Email Marketing for Maid Services: Looking to increase your customer service experience for your cleaning customers??? Competition is fierce, it is SOOO VERY important to constantly add value for your customers. Communication is key to keeping clients happy, this is why email marketing for maid services is important.
Improve your communication with your house cleaning clients with these emails to send to your house cleaning clients to keep them informed and up-to-date on their service. Receive frequent feedback, and provide a platform for increased client feedback, reviews, and even client referrals.
Sending regular emails is a simple way to add value by increasing your customer service and improving your communication.
Reminder Emails/Text messages prior to the Cleaning Service.
Reminder emails are super easy emails to add to your email marketing, but they are important ones. The email does not have to be fancy but just has to remind your customer of the scheduled cleaning they have coming up.
Also, use this email as a way to upsell and ask your client if there are any additional tasks they would like you to clean while you are there.
Why I love reminder emails. They serve several purposes…
They let your customer know you care about providing a high-quality service to meet their needs
It provides a platform for your customers to provide feedback
It provides a friendly reminder to your client that you or your cleaners will be there the next day.
It keeps our name in front of your customer. (You never know when they may run into a friend who is looking for a reliable house cleaner.
My clients LOVED the reminder.
They never forgot about the cleaning. It gave them time to get their house ‘cleaning’ ready. It significantly reduced the number of times I or my cleaners were locked out because the client forgot we were coming (this costs you LOTS of money BTW).
Payments were made in a timelier manner because clients were reminded to provide payment.
The emails also created more dialog between us and the clients. Clients would respond to the email as a way to let us know of any changes in the cleaning routine, so no surprises when we showed up. Like the kids will be home from school. Or, we have company, please don’t clean the guest room.
Follow up Client Emails to send after the Cleaning Service
Following up after the cleaning service is just as valuable as sending out a reminder email. What reminder emails do is improve your customer service as well as get very VALUABLE FEEDBACK from your customers.
When sending a follow-up email to your house cleaning clients you will ask how their service was AND ask your client to review their service.
When asking how their service was, remind your client that your House Cleaning Business offers a 100% money-back guarantee. If you forgot to clean a toilet (this happened to me!!!), then show up that evening or the next day and make it right by cleaning the toilet.
By asking your client upfront about how satisfied they were with the cleaning service, it allows you the opportunity to fix it. Everyone makes mistakes, it is how we correct the issue. If you correct it your client will appreciate and trust your service.
Then finish the email asking for a review and linking to your online review site of choice. I recommend funneling your reviews straight to Google, but you can add others.
Email marketing for maid services helps get consistent reviews which increase Google Maps Ranking. In your follow-up email to your house cleaning client, ask them to leave a review and include a link to your Google My Business Page.
Bottom line is, if you are not sending communications to your clients before and after the cleaning service, you need to start now.
Follow up after inactivity of service greater than 6 weeks
For clients who used your service 1 time, send them an email periodically inviting them to come back. You can offer a promo code or an enticing offer to make it appealing.
For clients you haven’t seen in a while, invite them back with an offer as well. But make sure to reach out and touch base before sending the offer. You want to let them know you care and want their business.
Some clients, will not have the budget to hire a regular cleaning service. Instead, they may hire a cleaning service just for holidays or maybe once every couple of months.
Sending periodic emails, keeps them thinking about you and provides an easy way for them to get in contact with you for their next cleaning.
Discounts and promotions/Holiday Specials
You can also use email to promote discounts and special promotions you are running. If you are going to offer a discount, I recommend making it significant like 50% off the first cleaning.
Make sure when sending promotional emails that the offer is an attention-grabber. Who wouldn’t want their house cleaned for half price?
You will want to send these types of emails sparingly as you don’t want to devalue your services. But, a well-timed promotional email can bring in some great new business!
Sample Email Subject Lines to use for emails to send to house cleaning client:
Time for a Spring Cleaning?
We’ve Missed You!
Your House Cleaning Service
Welcome Back!
Holiday Cleaning Specials
Gift the Gift of a Clean House
New Year, New You!
Spring Cleaning Discounts
Summer Cleaning Specials
Fall Cleaning Service
Winter’s Coming, Time to Get Your House Cleaned!
Have writer’s block and need some email templates to plug and play? I created these email templates just for you so that you can copy, paste, and send them to your clients.
How to send mass emails to your clients
There are many ways to send mass emails to your house cleaning clients. I recommend using an email marketing service like ConvertKit, Active Campaign, or MailChimp.
Each of these services has a free or reduced-price plan so you can test them out and see which one you like best. They all have slightly different features, but they will all allow you to easily.
Why you should not send mass marketing emails through your personal email account
If you don’t use an email marketing service and instead try to send mass emails through your personal email account, you are taking a big risk.
Your personal email account could get flagged as spam and you could get blacklisted by your email provider. This would make it very difficult to send emails in the future, not just to your clients, but to anyone.
Another risk is that your email could get hacked. If you are sending mass emails through your personal email account and it gets hacked, the hacker will then have access to all of your contacts. This could lead to a lot of problems down the road.
Choosing an email marketing program for your cleaning business
The program should be able to segment your list. Email segmenting for your cleaning business will help you to send emails to your list that are relevant to them.
For example, you would not want to send a 1 time cleaning special to your clients who already are on a bi-weekly cleaning service.
Email Segmenting could look something like this for your cleaning business:
those who have hired you before, but not on a rotational cleaning plan
those who have requested a quote but did not hire you
Those who are on rotational cleaning service
Those who signed up for your mailing list, but never requested a quote or hired you yet.
Look for a program that has forms and landing pages as a feature.
Programs like ConverKit and Active Campaign have easy-to-build forms that you can easily add to your website.
When website visitors visit your webpage they can sign up for your newsletter. Those sign-ups can be segmented and automatically imported into your email list.
Your email program must have automation
When you are a one-pony rodeo, you don’t have a ton of extra time to send out individual emails all the time.
Automation allows you to build an email funnel where you can assign an email sequence for your email list to send automatically for you. You create the emails, then schedule when they should be sent.
ConvertKit Review for House Maid Services
ConvertKit is an email marketing service that was originally designed for creators. But they have grown their audience and make a great option for small House Cleaning businesses looking to grow.
They offer a free plan for up to 300 subscribers. The plan includes segmenting, unlimited forms, landing pages, and broadcasts. You do have to purchase the $9 monthly plan to get the function of the automated sequence.
What I like about ConvertKit is that they make it very easy to segment your list and send targeted emails. They have an easy drag-and-drop platform. Meaning you don’t need to be super techy to use it.
Mail Chimp is one of the most popular email marketing services. They offer a free plan for up to 500 subscribers with 2500 emails that can be sent. The free plan does not include segmenting. But does include unlimited forms and landing pages. You do have to purchase the $11 monthly plan to get the function of the automated sequence.
Active Campaign review for Maid Services
Active Campaign is a great email marketing service for larger small businesses. Their billing is based on the # of subscribers you have.
What is nice about that is, you can get more functionality for a lesser price tag when you have a smaller list.
Their lowest plan starts at $9/ for up to 500 subscribers and gets you automation, segmenting, and forms. The lite plan however does not include landing pages if that is something you were looking to have.
When starting a cleaning business, one of the most common questions is, do I need to get bonded or what is bonding insurance?
Many people think that a bond is required to start a cleaning business, but this is not always the case. However, it is highly recommended to purchase a janitorial service bond when starting out in the industry.
This blog post will discuss what it means to have a bond as a cleaning service and how to get one.
Please note the information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with a legal professional to address your specific legal needs.
Bonding insurance provides peace of mind for you and your customers. When you hold a janitorial service bond, your customers are protected from theft by your business or its employees. This gives your clients peace of mind when hiring you and helps build a level of trust and assurance that you are a serious business owner who cares about your clients and their homes.
1. What is bonding and why do you need it as a business owner
This policy protects your customers from any financial loss they may suffer as a direct result of theft, fraud, or dishonesty on your part or that of your employees.
When an incident occurs, the bonding company will investigate the claim and pay out damages if your company is found liable for criminal acts.
For example, if one of your employees steals from a client, the bond will cover the cost of the damages. This type of coverage is important for businesses that deal with sensitive material or valuables.
The layer of protection gives your clients peace of mind knowing that there is protection in place in case of an unfortunate event.
Your client may feel more comfortable hiring your company over another knowing that you have taken the extra steps to protect their valuables by becoming bonded.
One difference between a bond from an insurance policy is that a claim that is paid by the bonding company has to be repaid. Whereas when an insurance claim is paid against a policy it does not have to be repaid.
2. How much does bonding cost and what are the benefits
The cost of bonding insurance varies depending on the size and scope of your business. For a cleaning business, the average bond purchased ranges from $5,000 to $100,000.
The cost of the bond will vary based on the amount of your bond, your company size, risk factors, where you are located, and other varying factors.
It is a good idea to purchase liability insurance in conjunction with your bond to better protect your business.
3 How to choose the right bonding company for your business
It is important that you do your research when selecting a bonding company as not all are created equal.
When I started my cleaning business, I first got a quote from my car insurance company. I then called around to a few local brokers to get quotes as well.
I ended up working with a local insurance broker who was able to shop around for my business needs.
Insurance Brokers are easy to work with as they can help you shop around for other business insurance as well that will better protect you and your cleaning business.
You can check with your local chamber of commerce to see if there are any registered insurance brokers that you can work with as well.
4. What to do if something goes wrong
Hopefully, you will never have to tap into your janitorial bonding insurance while running your business. But in the chance that you do, there are a few things you can do now to be prepared.
When something goes wrong and you need to file a claim against your bond, you will first need to file a police report. Many companies will not pay out a claim without a conviction.
Once you have filed the police report, you will then need to contact your surety company and provide them with a copy of the report.
Your surety company will then investigate the claim and if they find that your business is liable, they will pay out the damages up to the amount of the bond you purchased.
It is important to have a company policy in place in case something happens. Check with your bonding company on what they require for reporting purposes and use this as a guide to create your policy.
It is helpful to create an incident report form where you can record all the information revolving around the claim. As soon as your client reaches out to you regarding a possible theft (do this for damages as well) send them your incident form and have them record when the item when missing, a description of the item, and what value the item may be
5. What happens if you don’t get bonded when starting a cleaning business
In most cases, a bond is not legally required to start a cleaning business. But it is highly recommended to purchase a bond when starting a cleaning business.
1. You may not win the bid
When new clients are getting quotes from cleaning services, it is likely they will ask you if your business is bonded and insured.
The Cleaning Busines that can prove they are, will have a greater chance of getting hired for the job.
2. You may have to pay upfront when something goes wrong
If something goes wrong and you are not bonded, you may be liable for damages out of your own pocket when they occur. This can put a strain on a small business that may not have the cash to pay out for the loss of expensive items and ultimately ruin your business.
It is not worth the risk of not getting bonded when starting a cleaning business. The peace of mind and protection it provides is invaluable.
I hope this article has helped you understand why it is important to get bonded when starting a cleaning business.
The best all-purpose cleaner for cleaning services. Imagine, you’re cleaning your clients’ house and you realize that you’re going to need a special cleaner for the fingerprints on the window.
Do you have any cleaners that are safe to use around your children and pets? Will they clean fingerprints, dirt, and grease?
Not all cleaners are created equal, and using the wrong one can damage surfaces or leave behind streaks and spots. If you are a professional cleaner, it is important to have the best all-purpose cleaner for your cleaning service. You need one that is versatile, tough, but also safe for you and your clients.
In this blog post, we will discuss the best all-purpose cleaners for cleaning services. We will also provide tips on how to use them safely and effectively!
What to look for when buying the best all-purpose cleaner for cleaning services.
When you are looking for a new cleaner, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
The option to buy in bulk
It is important to purchase your all-purpose cleaner in bulk. This will help you save money in the long run and ensure that you always have enough cleaner on hand.
When I purchase my all-purpose cleaner I would use a gallon jug to create my mix. I would create a heavy-duty all-purpose cleaner for deeper cleanings or in bathrooms where soap scum builds up quickly. Then I create a lighter all-purpose cleaner that I would use for almost all of my recurring clients.
These gallons would ride along in the back of the car. This way when I was done cleaning a client’s house, I could top off the spray bottles before cleaning the next house.
Consider how easy the cleaner is to use.
The best all-purpose cleaner for cleaning services will not require a lot of scrubbing. You don’t want to have to spend a lot of time scrubbing surfaces or worrying about damaging them. Look for a cleaner that is tough and can cut through grease and grim often found in kitchens and soap scum build-up in bathrooms.
There is a saying in the cleaning industry: Use a cleaner that will work for you, not one that you work for it.
Find a cleaner that is safe on most surfaces.
Every professional house cleaner knows that no two houses are the same. Cleaning houses, you will come across many different surfaces. Think about what kinds of surfaces the cleaner is safe for. Look for cleaners that are easy to use and safe on a variety of surfaces. The last thing you want is to end up with streaks or damage because you used the wrong cleaner on a sensitive surface.
Avoid cleaners with harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your health and the environment.
Instead, opt for cleaners that are made with natural ingredients and are safe for both you and the planet. You will be exposed to these cleaning chemicals all day, several days a week. Respect yourself, and use cleaners that will not harm your health.
Environmentally friendly cleaners use to get a bad reputation for not being effective. You would have to use more elbow grease just to get the tough jobs cleaned. That is not the case anymore. With the new technology, these cleaners are just as tough on grime and dirt but are safe for you to use.
Consider the scent of the cleaner.
Some people prefer cleaners with a light scent, while others prefer ones that are heavy-duty and have a strong smell. You will be cleaning lots of different homes with lots of different customers. It is best to stick with a light-scented cleaner that most people can tolerate.
You will come across clients who will want you to use harsh chemicals, such as bleach. You will have to decide if this is something you are willing to do. If you are not, be sure to state this in your Client Policies that all new clients receive. This way the expectation is clear and upfront from the beginning.
How to use all-purpose cleaners effectively.
Now that you know what to look for to get the best all-purpose cleaner for your cleaning service, let’s talk about how to use them effectively.
Always read the label before using any cleaner.
Reading the label will give you important information about how to use the product safely and effectively.
Never mix your all-purpose cleaner with other cleaners. Mixing cleaners can be dangerous and can lead to harmful chemicals being released into the air.
Unless you have a chemistry degree and know what is safe and not safe to mix, always follow this rule. You don’t want your client to come home to you passed out on the floor.
Make sure you are using the right amount of cleaner.
More does not mean better when it comes to using an all-purpose cleaner. Follow the instructions on the label to avoid damaging surfaces or leaving behind streaks.
Using too much cleaner can leave behind traces of the cleaner. The leftover residue tends to attract dust and leaves surfaces looking dirty. This is when streaks can happen and that sticky feeling that can happen a surface is cleaned.
Have you ever walked over a recently mopped floor and your shoes stuck to it? What caused that sticky feeling is the floor cleaner was not properly rinsed and therefore left behind residue. This is a common complaint for wood or laminate flooring, so I wrote a bog post on how to best clean these types of floors, you can read it here.
How about granite. Have you ever cleaned granite countertops only to have streaks left behind? This doesn’t exactly give that sparkling clean look you want to be selling.
Using too little all-purpose cleaner will cause you to work harder. When you don’t apply enough all-purpose cleaner to the surfaces you are cleaning, or if you dilute your concentrated cleaner with too much water you are going to have to work twice as hard to get surfaces cleaned. Even the best all-purpose cleaner will not be effective if it is not being used at the correct strength.
So, when you are purchasing the best all-purpose cleaner in bulk, make sure you are using the correct water to cleaner ratio. This will ensure you use just the right amount of cleaner and leave behind shiny surfaces with no streaks or sticky residue.
The best all-purpose cleaner for cleaning services.
With so many options out on the market, I have narrowed down my top 3 best all-purpose cleaner for cleaning services that check off all the boxes listed above. Any of these cleaners I would use in my cleaning business.
Because there are so many choices, I recommend trying each out first to see which all-purpose cleaner works best for you and your cleaning style.
This natural all-purpose cleaner is very powerful. It can clean things better than cleaners that make your eyes water. Your clients will enjoy the soft scent of sage and citrus in this cleaner as well as the friendly ingredients.
Not only is this all-purpose cleaner powerful but it’s versatile too! You can spray it, wipe it, and see how it cleans scuff marks on the wall, spilled juice on the floor, peanut butter on the counter, bacon grease on the stove, toothpaste on the vanity, or coffee spills on the couch.
Eco Blast is a powerful, non-toxic cleaner that can be used for heavy-duty cleaning or light general cleaning. It’s safe to use around the house and has a light natural smell.
You can use Eco Blast for homes (kitchens, bathrooms, kids toys, pet messes), power washing, brick/masonry, spot removing, carpet, granite/stone, kitchen countertops, marine and RV’s, ovens/grills, toilets, tub/tile, upholstery, and wood. It’s the perfect all-in-one cleaner!
Red Juice is a powerful liquid cleaner that is biodegradable, odor-free, and safe for use around people. It is made from environmentally friendly ingredients such as seaweed and soybean extract. It is also non-toxic and unscented. Red Juice is a safe cleaner that you can use anywhere in the house. It will clean fingerprints, dirt, and grease. It is also safe to use on most surfaces in a house.
How to save money on the best all-purpose cleaner for your cleaning service.
Save money by buying in bulk
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good all-purpose cleaner. One of the most expensive ways to buy an All-Purpose cleaner is by purchasing them from your local grocery or box store.
These stores sell single-use cleaners that can cost upwards of $5 a pop and often you can use half a bottle in a client’s home. If you are cleaning 10 homes a week, that is $25 a week. And you still have to buy other cleaning supplies on top of that.
You can purchase a 1 gallon concentrated all-purpose cleaner for $70 and get 80 16 oz spray bottles. If purchased separately that would be $400! And then think, where would all those empty spray bottles go after each use?
Purchase with subscription services
If you are purchasing from Amazon, there is an option to select Subscribe and Save. This is just another option to save additional money. Before you sign up for this though, try out the cleaner to make sure it is a good fit for you. Once you find your perfect all-purpose cleaner then choose this option to save additional $.
Tips and tricks for using all-purpose cleaners safely and efficiently
Dilute according to product instructions
Be sure to read all labels correctly. Over diluting your all-purpose cleaner will make it less effective, creating more worth for you. If you find your all-purpose cleaner is not working very well, try adding a little more concentration to see if that doesn’t help get the job done.
On the flip side, not adding enough water can lead to using too much cleaner. This can damage more sensitive surfaces, leave behind streaky and stick residue and cost you more money in cleaner.
Create a heavy-duty and light-duty solution.
The heavy-duty solution can be used on tough jobs such as stoves and ovens. In bathrooms where there are hard water stains and soap scum build-up.
The light solution is what you will use for most surfaces when cleaning your regularly recurring clients. When a home is cleaned regularly a lighter cleaner will be sufficient enough to get the job done.
Use a damp microfiber with warm water when cleaning
This helps to rinse the surface off and leave behind a clean finish. When cleaning surfaces that tend to show water marks, I will follow up with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any standing water and buff surfaces clean.
For lighter cleaning, most all-purpose cleaners do not have to get rinsed off. Using a damp cloth and rinsing it regularly should pick up the cleaner and not leave any behind.
But with deeper cleaning like in sinks, bathtubs, and showers you will more than likely be using more cleaner than for vanities and kitchen countertops. In this case, giving a good rinse will help to wash away all the buildup that you just scrubbed off.
Wear gloves to avoid skin irritation.
Even though you will be purchasing an all-purpose cleaner that is made up of safe chemicals, they still can cause some skin irritation. It is best to wear gloves to avoid contact with your skin. Plus anytime you are cleaning someone’s house, you should always wear gloves.
There you have it, the Best All-Purpose Cleaner for cleaning services. What to look for when buying them, how to use them effectively, and little tips and tricks.
Should I bring my own cleaning supplies to clean a client’s house? YES!!!! Keep reading to learn why.
Most new house cleaners ask this question. It is an investment to purchase cleaning supplies for your new cleaning business. And what happens if the business doesn’t work out?
But on the flip side, if you use your own cleaning supplies, there is no learning curve. You already know how all the equipment works. You can clean faster and know what to grab for each surface.
If using your client’s supplies, you will have to read labels and learn how to use the equipment.
I did a survey of my email subscribers to get their answers to this as well. And it turns out 91% bring their own cleaning supplies to their client’s house.
This falls in line with the business model I teach. It’s what I recommend for those that are building a business and not just planning on cleaning part-time here and there. This post will help you decide which is best for your business.
When the Maid should bring the Cleaning Supplies
Bringing the cleaning supplies for cleaning jobs will work best for the following business models:
For cleaning persons that will be cleaning full time on their own.
Business owners who will be cleaning and eventually hiring employees to help clean.
Businesses that will only be hiring employees to do the cleaning.
It is easier to clean more efficiently and to maintain a consistent service when maid services bring their own cleaning supplies and equipment. When cleaning multiple homes a day the importance of cleaning efficiently becomes more important because when you save 15 minutes in one home that can translate to an hour a day or 5 hours a week. That’s like cleaning 1 to 2 houses in waisted time.
So here are my why’s to bringing your own equipment and supplies to each home you clean:
You can ensure that you know how to use the products and equipment
The more you use the same cleaning supplies and equipment, the more your cleaning routine becomes second nature. You’ll be able to clean with your eyes closed (NOT recommended though!).
When you use the same cleaning supplies over and over, you naturally get faster at cleaning. When you clean faster, you can clean more houses in a day and you will make more money.
You know that the equipment is properly maintained and will work
When bringing your own house cleaning supplies, you know the equipment is being taken care of. (Hopefully, you are servicing your cleaning equipment each evening and washing your towels.) With proper maintenance, you know that your cleaning equipment will be working properly….hopefully with no surprise breakdowns!
What if you get to the client’s home and their vacuum breaks, maybe the motor goes out or the electric source becomes loose and no longer works? You will be left without the proper equipment to finish the job.
Or, what if you get to the house and the homeowner is all out of bathroom cleaner. Maybe they forgot to pick some up before Cleaning Day. Or all they have is Windex. Have you ever tried to clean a shower with Windex? I don’t want to! I can’t imagine the soap scum will come off.
When a house cleaning service brings their own equipment they will have control over how well the equipment will work and ensure they have enough cleaning supplies to get the job done.
You know that you are using cleaning products that work effectively
Why do you purchase the All Purpose cleaner that you bought? More than likely, it is because you know it works, and it works well!
Your client may purchase cleaning products because of some fancy marketing, but it could be crap to clean with. Imagine scrubbing a shower and the soap scum doesn’t budge.
Your arm will hate you, and you will have wasted time cleaning that shower. If you had YOUR cleaner and maybe a razor blade, you could have had that shower cleaned in half the time…Am I right?
You become familiar with how the products work with the cleaning process that you have built and designed
You’ll know what products to use in the kitchen, and which products work better in the bathroom. Or think about your cleaning towels, do you have a favorite kind to use for bathrooms versus dusting? Do you like to use a feather duster, hand cloth, or hand-held micro-duster?
What about a long duster that is versatile, where you can extend to clean the tops of ceilings, but then bend it to dust the ceiling fans without getting a new tool?
By bringing your own house cleaning supplies and equipment, you’ll be able to build the cleaning process that you can use for each house you clean.
You can control the size of the bottles so that they fit into your apron
Your client is not purchasing cleaning supplies with your cleaning apron in mind. When you buy cleaning supplies, you should be buying in bulk and then filling smaller bottles that will fit neatly on hooks attached to your apron.
I recommend purchasing 16oz reusable spray bottles and filling them. Make sure to label them well with a printed label covered in tape. I tried using a permanent marker, but it has a tendency to rub off quickly from the cleaning supplies.
You wouldn’t hire a plumber and expect to provide the tools? You probably don’t even own the tools he would need to do the work. This is the same with your clients and house cleaning.
It allows you to charge more for the cleaning services
This is my favorite reason, it allows me to charge what other large cleaning services are charging. My clients will see me as a legit cleaning business and not just a lady that cleans their house for them.
By bringing your own supplies and equipment, you are investing in your business. You are saving your clients the time and money it would take for them to purchase the supplies. This equals a higher level of service and so, you are able to charge more to cover the cost to supply the equipment.
When the Homeowner should supply the cleaning supplies
If you are getting into cleaning as a part-time gig
For those starting a side hustle and only planning on cleaning for 5 or fewer clients, then I recommend using your client’s supplies. At 5 clients or less, it does not make sense to purchase the cleaning equipment (vacuum, mop, and cleaning supplies). It will take you longer to recoup the costs of purchasing the supplies and equipment.
If you are going to charge by the hour
If you are charging by the hour for cleaning tasks then it is ok to use your client’s supplies. Charging by the hour will ensure you are paid for the additional time it will take to learn how to use your client’s cleaning supplies and adjust to different products.
If you provide the client with a list of cleaning supplies to purchase
Some cleaning ladies/companies may decide to provide a list to the client on what cleaning supplies to purchase for them to provide for each cleaning. This is not a common practice. Many homeowners will not want to do this.
If you are part of the 9% who use their client’s supplies, make sure you follow these tips:
Charge an hourly rate rather than a flat fee for your cleaning services. You will not be able to replicate your cleaning system, therefore each home will be cleaned differently and will vary in how long it takes you to clean.
Etiquette when bringing cleaning supplies to your client’s house
Make sure the equipment is in tip-top shape.
Don’t bring broken down or dirty vacuums, in fact, you should be cleaning your vacuum filters out each day. I always kept extra filters for each vacuum that we had. This way I would wash one and while it dried, I would use another one.
Have the right supplies
Make sure you’re stalked with the right cleaning products to clean your client’s surfaces (stone countertops, stainless steel appliances, grout, and specialty surfaces). The best approach here is to purchase a safe All Purpose Cleaner that you can use on all surfaces.
Don’t run out of supplies
Stock your car each day so you don’t run out of cleaning supplies halfway through the day. In my business, we purchased most of our cleaning supplies in gallon quantities. So I kept a gallon of the cleaner in the car, and when we were packing up the car after a house, we topped off each cleaning bottle. This way we had plenty for the next house.
Keep your cleaning caddy neat and organized
Don’t bring a dirty cleaning caddy to your client’s home. Your equipment and supplies will be a reflection on you and your business and you don’t want to appear messy and unorganized. It’s best to wipe out your caddy each night as part of your end-of-day tasks. This way it is clean and ready to go for the next day.
The majority of cleaning companies are made up of small businesses. There can be little start up cost involved and as you grow your cleaning business, you can add on the fancy tools.
How to start a Cleaning Business in Colorado
This guide includes resources for starting a cleaning business in Colorado. Visit the states Business Organizations page to learn more about running a business in Colorado.
Decide what type of cleaning service you will offer
When choosing a name, you will want to consider SEO (search engine optimization, how new clients will find you on the internet) and the name should represent what your business does. This way when some one hears your business’s name, they know your are in the business of cleaning houses.
To brainstorm a name for your cleaning business, start with the words Maid, Cleaning and Service. Put these words at the top of a sheet of paper.
Then start writing as many adjectives and adverbs that match your company. This will help you to create a list of possible business names for you to choose from.
Choose a Business Structure for your Cleaning Business
Before registering your new cleaning business, you will need to know the legal structure for your business.
This structure will determine how your cleaning business will file its tax returns and how you as the owner will be taxed on your earnings as well.
It’s extremely important that you become familiar with and understand the different structures and how taxes are paid and filed with each. When choosing your business structure, consult with your tax professional. They can also help you file all the necessary paperwork.
The different structures include sole-proprietor, partnership, corporation, s-corporation or limited liability corporation. You can learn more about each business structure here.
Apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Getting an EIN for your cleaning business is a must if you will be hiring employees.
If you will be operating as a sole-proprietor and not hiring employees, you may be able to use your personal social security number when filing taxes and such for your business. But it is always best to talk to your tax professional to see which you will need.
To apply for an EIN you will file a SS-4 with the IRS. It is free and you can do so on the IRS website. If you file online you will get your number right away.
File your cleaning business with the state of Colorado
The state of Colorado requires that all businesses register at Coloradosos.gov.
If you are forming a Corporation you will file an Articles of Incorporation with the state. The fee to file is $50.00. For instructions on filing an Articles of Incorporation visit .
If you are not ready to file as a Corporation or an LLC, you are able to operate as a sole-proprietor. To file your cleaning business in Colorado as a sole-proprietor you only need to file a trade name on the Departments Website. The Fee to file a trade name in Colorado is only $20.00.
The State of Colorado offers a training that walks you through the process of registering your house cleaning business with the state. The training is called Starting a Business in Colorado.
Business licensing needs in Colorado
At the time this article was written, Colorado does not have state business licenses. Licenses are applied for at local municipalities.
I recommend checking with the states licensing need when registering a new business.
Insurance protects you and your business’s assets, or money in the event of a accident or other unplanned event.
Types of insurance your cleaning business may need include liability insurance, bonding insurance and commercial car insurance.
The easiest way to shop for business insurance is to start with an insurance broker and they will do the shopping around for you to find the best deal.
Additional Resources to start a cleaning business in Colorado
The Colorado Chamber of Commerce has lots of resources for small businesses in Colorado. They offer online training, new and existing business counseling, as well as business training and events.
The Colorado Small Business Development Center is a not for profit organization who offers free business consulting and low cost trainings for small business owners. Their mission is to help small businesses grow and prosper in Colorado.
Next Steps to start your cleaning business.
Now that you have taken care of the boring (but oh so necessary) legal steps to getting your cleaning business official, you can now start with the Cleaning!
Below are resources on how to operate a cleaning business successfully.
Purchase cleaning supplies and equipment
Now that you have started your cleaning business in Colorado, you’ll need to get supplies to start cleaning your first client homes. I have that taken care of for you.
You can’t start cleaning houses if you don’t tell people you have a cleaning business.
Your first step to marketing will be to tell all your friends, family and contacts that you have started a house cleaning business and you are currently taken new clients. If you don’t let everyone know, then they won’t be able to refer you to their friends.
Next get your business online. Most homeowners now search for services online before hiring a business. Make sure your business is visible online when a homeowner searches for cleaning services in your area.
Claim your My Business google profile. By claiming your My Business google profile your business will show up in searches when someone searches Cleaning Businesses in Town Name.
When setting up your Google Profile, make sure to add your contact information, a list of your services, and a an about me page where you introduce yourself. Include high quality before and after images of your cleaning.
Activate a Facebook Business Profile. Complete your profile completely including contact information, pictures of yourself and pictures of cleaning you’ve completed.
Price your cleaning services
Decide whether you are going to price your cleaning services by the hour or by a flat fee. Most cleaning businesses make between $25 – $75 an hour.
Charging by the hour for house cleaning services:
It is best to charge by the hour when you are offering services that will take longer to complete and when the tasks can vary each time you clean a house. When your cleaning times vary it becomes much more difficult to charge a flat fee per clean.
It is best to charge by the hour if you plan to offer the following tasks similar to the following:
laundry
dishes
picking up clutter/toys
organizing spaces
personalizing cleaning service to each client
Charging a Flat Fee
Charging a flat fee is the best way to streamline your business and start building more profits. But a HUGE disclaimer: Only charge a flat fee if you are completing the same cleaning service for each client.
This means you define the checklist and tasks that you will complete at the home. If you do not follow the same cleaning checklist for each client and each time you clean, DO NOT charge a flat fee to clean.
Check out the following articles for more information on Pricing Cleaning service:
If you plan to hire employees you will need to make sure you have filed for an EIN (Review step #4) and have proper insurance (Review step #7).
You will also want to have a training plan in place. In my experience it is best to have a 3 step training plan in place.
Have your new employee read through or watch a video that you have put together on how to clean your way.
Next, have the new employee follow you while you clean. Talk through all the steps they should be taking for each task and room in a home.
Now, you shadow the new employee for a few houses. It is important to correct a any movements that do not fit into your cleaning strategy. For this step you are helping your new employee to develop the same habits to clean a home your way.
Well Kept Clutter helps aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own cleaning business and start making money right away.
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A comprehensive professional house cleaning supplies list.
