Cleaning Business

How Profitable Is A Cleaning Business? (Updated for 2024)

Updated: October 5th, 2024

How Profitable Is A Cleaning Business? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a cleaning business?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are cleaning businesses actually profitable?

Especially considering:

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a cleaning business.

Let’s dive in!

Is a cleaning business profitable?

Yes, a cleaning business is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $2.1M per year with an estimated gross margin of 35%, you could expect to recover your investment within 6 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your cleaning business.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your cleaning business is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a cleaning business worth it?

If you’re wondering if a cleaning business is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With cleaning businesses, you have the potential to earn $2.1M per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a cleaning business to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful cleaning businesses case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Cleaning Businesses

Here are a few examples of profitable cleaning businesses, and a few more details about them:

1. The BBQ Cleaner ($840K/year)

Jeffrey Krentzman started The BBQ Cleaner in 2009 after cleaning BBQ grills in Northern New Jersey for four years and realizing the potential for replication in other markets. With over 240 locations across the United States, The BBQ Cleaner is the largest and most successful grill cleaning business opportunity, boasting a 99% and higher customer satisfaction rate. They have attracted and retained customers through word-of-mouth and referrals, eliminating the need for advertising since 2008. They continue to experience success and growth, with plans to expand their nationwide reach in the future.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $840K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K

How I Started A $75K/Month BBQ Cleaning Service And Grew It To 240 Locations

Grew BBQ cleaning service to 240 US locations with multi-unit businesses making six figures and boasting 99%+ customer satisfaction rate.

Read by 6,544 founders

2. Dermestidarium ($24K/year)

Carla Brauer, the founder of Dermestidarium, came up with the idea of using flesh-eating beetles to clean animal bones after attempting to clean a goat skull during an internship at a goat meat ranch. Despite initial doubts from others, word spread about her unique business and she has since grown her client base, been featured in various media outlets, and even gave a TEDx talk on her journey.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $24K/year

How I Started A Successful Side Business Cleaning Animal Skulls

Dermestidarium is a successful side business that uses flesh-eating beetles to clean animal bones for display, started by Carla Brauer who had no hopes of it turning into a business, but grew it into a busy side-hustle and more recently a primary work with client base growing each year.

Read by 9,614 founders

3. Hangover Helpers ($36K/year)

James Hookway, a qualified CPA accountant, and his wife came up with the idea for Hangover Helpers after hosting an event at their apartment and waking up to a messy space. They thought it would be great to have someone come in and clean up the mess while also bringing them breakfast and a Powerade. After researching the market and finding a niche for party cleaners, they launched their business, which quickly gained attention through word-of-mouth and media coverage. Despite being a side hustle, Hangover Helpers has been profitable, with a high rate of repeat business and a strong reputation for their friendly and fun service.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $36K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K

How I Started A $3K/Month Side Business Offering After-Party Cleaning Services

Learn how Hangover Helpers, an after-party cleaning company, started as a side business and generated monthly revenue of $3k with some months up to $7k during the busy summer period, attracting 60% repeat business with a self-described clean, friendly, and fun brand.

Read by 9,482 founders

Learn more about starting a cleaning business:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a cleaning business?
-> Pros and cons of a cleaning business

Need inspiration?

-> Other cleaning business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a cleaning business
-> Cleaning business slogans
-> Cleaning business Instagram bios
-> Cleaning business Instagram captions

Other resources

-> Cleaning business tips
-> Blog post ideas for a cleaning business
-> Cleaning business quotes

How much can you make with a cleaning business?

With a cleaning business, you can make an average of $2.1M revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $23. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 6 months.

How much does a cleaning business make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a cleaning business ranges around $43.8K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $175K.

To know if your cleaning business achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your cleaning business.

How much do cleaning businesses owners make?

The income of a cleaning business owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established cleaning business is about $43.8K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a cleaning business owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Cleaning Business Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a cleaning business can expect profit margin of around 35%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a cleaning business, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, cleaning business owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, cleaning business owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Cleaning business owner salary

The salary of a cleaning business owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established cleaning business, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $15.3K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a cleaning business may be a promising business to start - but the success of your cleaning business mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable cleaning business.