5 Tips for Running & Growing a Successful Domestic Cleaning Business

Running a cleaning business is one of the most rewarding things you can do. You have the benefits of flexible hours, great clients, and the satisfaction of seeing the results of your hard work every single day. But it’s also a juggling act. There’s a lot more to it than just the cleaning itself! From client communication to admin, pricing, and growth, it’s a real business, and treating it like one is what sets the pros apart.

Here are five tried and tested tips to help you not just run, but grow your domestic cleaning business with confidence.

1. Get Organised Early, Your Future Self Will Thank You

If there’s one thing every successful cleaning business owner learns, it’s that organisation makes everything easier.

Keep track of your clients, schedules, payments, and supplies from day one. Even if you’re a one person team, act like a business. Use a digital calendar, label your invoices properly, and keep client notes handy.

Hack: Create a simple Client Preferences Sheet for each home, jot down their product preferences, pet names, or special requests. Remembering the small things makes clients feel valued and keeps your cleans smooth and personal!

2. Communicate Clearly and Consistently

Clear communication builds trust faster than anything else. Confirm appointments, explain your services upfront, and follow up to check clients are happy.

When you need to rearrange, a polite, professional message goes a long way. Life happens, what matters is how you handle it.

3. Know Your Worth, and Price Properly

It’s so common for new cleaners to undercharge just to get their foot in the door. But low prices don’t help you grow, they just burn you out.

Take into account all your time, travel, setup, cleaning, and packing up. Time your jobs for a few weeks so you know your true hourly rate.

Hack: Review your pricing regularly (at least once a year). As your experience, quality, and demand grow, your prices should too. And remember: confident pricing tells clients you’re professional and reliable.

4. Stay Consistent, Even When It’s Quiet

Every business has slow spells. What separates the long-term success stories from the rest is consistency.

Use quiet weeks to focus on the background work: update your socials, follow up with past clients, review your systems, or tidy your branding. Even small actions, done regularly create momentum. You don’t need to work 24/7, you just need to keep showing up.

5. Build Relationships, Not Just a Client List

Referrals are gold in the cleaning industry, and they only come when clients genuinely love your service. Focus on connection. Remember small details, say thank you, and celebrate loyalty. Even a handwritten note or small discount for referrals can turn one happy client into three more.

Hack: Consider adding a “Mini Maintenance” option, a shorter “freshen up” clean between regular visits. It keeps your schedule full and your clients feeling cared for.

Running a cleaning business is so much more than just cleaning, it’s about systems, communication, confidence, and consistency! Get those right, and you’ll have a business that doesn’t just survive, but thrives.

If you’d like a little help behind the scenes, that’s exactly what Cleaning101 is for, ready to use templates, planners, and tools to make the business side of cleaning simple, so you can focus on what you do best.