18 Successful Cleaning Business Stories & Case Studies [2024]
Starting a cleaning business is an excellent opportunity to be your boss and make money doing what you love. This business is relatively easy to create and does not require much equipment or funds.
There are many cleaning services, so deciding what services (or combination of services) you will offer and what hours of the day or week those services will be available is essential.
To start cleaning service, you’ll want to consider investing in professional cleaning equipment such as a vacuum cleaner, a quality mop, and a good cleaning bucket. You will also need to buy environment-friendly cleaning products such as detergent, bleach, paper towels, and trash bags.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a cleaning business to help you get started with your own:
1. MaidThis Franchise ($1.2M/year)
Neel Parekh started MaidThis as a side hustle while working at a private equity investment firm. After stumbling across a post on Reddit from someone who started a cleaning company, he decided to give it a shot and specialize in Airbnb and residential cleanings. MaidThis has since generated over $10 million in revenue and is now launching MaidThis Franchise, the first cleaning franchise specializing in vacation rental cleanings.
How much they make: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $800
Current team size: 9
MaidThis®, launched by Neel Parekh in Los Angeles with just one cleaner in 2013, has achieved over $10 million in total revenue by focusing on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, thanks to its successful remote business model and new-age marketing tactics, and has now launched MaidThis Franchise to expand the business further.
2. The BBQ Cleaner ($900K/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.
How much they make: $900K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
Current team size: 1
Grew BBQ cleaning service to 240 US locations with multi-unit businesses making six figures and boasting 99%+ customer satisfaction rate.
So... can you actually make money with a cleaning business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. Omegasonics ($8.5M/year)
Frank and Sandy Pedeflous purchased a small business called Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning Systems and transformed it into Omegasonics, a company that manufactures industrial ultrasonic equipment for environmentally-friendly cleaning. With annual revenues of approximately $10 million, the couple has found success in various industries, including Indy race car teams, the military, aerospace, and the PPE market. Their early adoption of internet marketing and strategic advertising have contributed to their growth and market share.
How much they make: $8.5M/year
How much did it cost to start: $700K
Current team size: 25
This case study follows the story of a couple who bought a profitable but limited manufacturing company for $535,000, revamped it, and took it in a new direction to grow their annual revenues to approximately $10,000,000 by developing ultrasonic equipment that addressed industrial cleaning using water-based detergents instead of environmentally toxic solvents.
4. DeluxeMaid ($1.2M/year)
How much they make: $1.2M/year
Current team size:
Engineer turned entrepreneur launches local house cleaning business and achieves $60,000 in monthly revenue within a short launch period of 27 days.
So... can you actually make money with a cleaning business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. Two Maids & A Mop ($7.2M/year)
After seven years of saving $150K, Ron Holt decided to enter the residential cleaning industry and open Two Maids & A Mop in Pensacola, FL. Recognizing the stagnant nature of the industry and the lack of standout national cleaning brands, Ron saw an opportunity to disrupt the market and provide a much-needed service to homeowners. Today, Two Maids & A Mop operates in 82 markets across the country and generates over $25M in annual revenues.
How much they make: $7.2M/year
Current team size: 500
A cleaning business founder, inspired by Warren Buffett, shares how he turned a $150K savings into Two Maids & A Mop, generating $25M in annual revenues, with 82 locations and almost 400,000 homes cleaned last year, by outworking and outpassioning others, and creating a customer feedback system that directly controls employee wages.
6. CleanLots.com ($720K/year)
Brian Winch, the founder of Cleanlots, started his business in 1981 as a side hustle with little money, education, and skills. He came up with the idea after remembering his dad's side gig of cleaning up litter outside a shopping plaza, which he found easy and enjoyable. This led him to test the market for this service and eventually grow it into a successful full-time 6-figure business that keeps his city litter-free.
How much they make: $720K/year
Current team size: 1
This case study follows Brian Winch, who started Cleanlots in 1981 as a side hustle for $250 startup capital and now generates over $500,000 yearly revenue cleaning 150 cities' commercial properties, sharing his experience through his book Cleanlots – America’s Simplest Business (https://cleanlots.com/).
So... can you actually make money with a cleaning business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
7. Go Green Cleaning & Maintenance Services ($360K/year)
Nicholas Ciano, founder of Go Green Cleaning & Maintenance, started his exterior home cleaning company after working in the industry for a few years. Realizing he could contribute a lot to the industry and wanting to focus on environmentally responsible and customer service-based services, he combined what he liked about his previous employer's business with his own ideas. With a small advertising budget and a truck, he started the business and has since grown it to generate an average of $20,000/month.
How much they make: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
Current team size: 3
Aiming to be environmentally responsible and customer-focused, Nicholas Ciano's exterior home cleaning company averaged around $20,000/month after incorporating all the aspects he liked with a previous employer, so he set out to do it better with a small advertising budget and a truck, offeringspecials and discounts for first-time customers as well as offering a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all services.
8. 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.
How much they make: $36K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
Current team size: 2
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.
9. 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.
How much they make: $24K/year
Current team size: 1
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.
10. Go 2 Girls ($996K/year)
How much they make: $996K/year
Current team size:
Go 2 Girls is a woman-founded, women-operated house cleaning service in Wake County, NC that supports nonprofits, offers free cleanings to women undergoing cancer treatments, and prioritizes client and staff satisfaction.
11. Mrs Buckét ($3M/year)
How much they make: $3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $23
Current team size: 48
Discover how this founder turned a humble £20 investment in a hoover and some flyers into a multimillion-pound company winning multiple awards and servicing commercial buildings and educational institutions across south Wales and Bristol.
12. Bright & Beautiful ($5M/year)
How much they make: $5M/year
Current team size: 800
Bright & Beautiful is a UK-based professional housekeeping franchise with over 50 locations, founded by Rachel Ray in 2007 after quitting her consulting job to meet a need for eco-friendly cleaning products.
13. Wolf's Auto Detailing ($36K/year)
Joey Sanchez, the founder of Wolf's Auto Detailing, came up with the idea for his business while working for a company that overworked him. Realizing his passion for cars and the satisfaction he got from detailing them, he decided to quit his job and start his own auto detailing business. With a focus on quality work and convenience, Wolf's Auto Detailing has achieved success, making $3,000 a month by working only three days a week.
How much they make: $36K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 1
Joey Sanchez turned his love for car detailing and buying and selling cars into a successful mobile auto detailing business in Phoenix, Arizona, making $3K a month working only 3 days a week, with plans to eventually open a shop location.
14. Queen Bee Cleaning Service ($1.5M/year)
In 2015, Cristobal Mondragon and his wife decided to start a cleaning business despite having no experience in the industry. Within just three months, they generated an impressive $26,576. Today, Queen Bee Cleaning Service has made over $5.8 million in sales and generates $1.5 million per year.
How much they make: $1.5M/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K
Current team size: 25
From humble beginnings with only $1,000, Queen Bee Cleaning Service went on to generate $26,576 in just 3 months, and now boasts over $5.8 million in sales per year,offering Airbnb and housecleaning services under the guidance of Cristobal Mondragon.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
