Commercial vs. Domestic Cleaning – What’s the Difference (and Which Should You Offer)?

If you’re just starting out in the cleaning industry, one of the first decisions you’ll make is what type of cleaning services to offer. Most new businesses will choose between domestic (house) cleaning and commercial (workplace) cleaning, or sometimes both.

Each type has its own pros, challenges, and customer expectations. So let’s break down what’s involved, and help you decide which path is right for your cleaning business.

 

Domestic Cleaning 

Domestic cleaning is focused on residential homes. It’s all about keeping someone’s personal space clean, tidy, and comfortable.

Services usually include:

Dusting, vacuuming, and mopping

Cleaning kitchens and bathrooms

Emptying bins

Making beds and light laundry

General tidying and surface cleaning

Most domestic clients will expect regular weekly or fortnightly cleans, with flexibility. You'll likely work alone or in a small team, and build strong one-to-one relationships with your clients.

Things to consider:

You likely need to provide your own supplies and equipment

Trust is key, clients are inviting you into their homes

Jobs are usually during the day, midweek

Can grow quickly through word-of-mouth and recommendations

 

Commercial Cleaning 

Commercial cleaning is all about workplaces for example offices, shops, schools, healthcare sites, factories, and more.

This type of cleaning can involve:

Sanitising shared areas (desks, kitchens, toilets)

Floor care using commercial machines

Restocking janitorial supplies

Health & safety compliance (especially in healthcare or food environments)

The scale is often much bigger than domestic cleaning. Clients may expect early morning, evening, or even overnight cleaning to avoid disrupting staff or customers.

Things to consider:

You may need to invest in industrial-grade equipment

Cleaning schedules are often stricter and more frequent

Jobs tend to be more long-term contracts

 

Choosing between domestic and commercial cleaning really comes down to what fits best with your lifestyle and long-term business goals. If you’re looking for flexibility, perhaps you’ve got a young family or want to work around school hours, domestic cleaning can be a great fit. It often allows for a more flexible schedule and can be easier to manage solo in the early stages. Commercial cleaning, on the other hand, is typically more structured and consistent, but you’ll likely need to bring in staff as the workload grows. It’s a better fit if you’re aiming to build a team and scale your business more quickly. Ultimately, both routes have plenty of potential, it’s about choosing the one that works best for you.

 

At Cleaning 101, we help new and growing cleaning businesses get set up with the right resources, templates, and practical advice to succeed.

If you’re still unsure which route to go down, or want to offer both, we’ve got guides, pricing calculators, checklists and 1:1 coaching to help.