How to Start a Cleaning Business

So You Want to Start a Cleaning Business?

If you're good with elbow grease, like things spotless, and fancy being your own boss, starting a cleaning business might be just the job. It's low-cost, high-demand, and surprisingly scalable. Whether you're cleaning houses, offices, rental properties or post-reno chaos, there's always mess somewhere waiting to be sorted—and someone happy to pay for it.

But it’s not just turning up with some Dettol and a Henry hoover. There’s a business to build, clients to impress, and yes, red tape to deal with. Here's how to start a cleaning business in the UK that shines, legally and literally.

What Does “Starting a Cleaning Business” Actually Mean?

At its core, it means getting paid to clean other people’s spaces—homes, offices, commercial units, holiday lets, you name it. But on a business level, it means setting up a professional service with structure, branding, pricing, admin, and legal cover. You’re selling reliability, results, and trust—because people don’t let just anyone into their homes or businesses with a bottle of bleach.

Some cleaning businesses stay small—just you and a few clients. Others grow into multi-staffed teams with vans and uniforms. You decide how far you want to take it. Either way, it all starts with knowing what kind of cleaning you want to do, and setting up properly.

How Does It All Work?

First, choose your niche. Domestic cleaning? Office cleaning? End-of-tenancy jobs?Builders' cleans? The kit, timing, and pricing all vary. You can do it solo, or set up a limited company if you’re planning to grow fast or hire staff.

You’ll need to register your business, open a separate business account, and get insured (more on that shortly). Then it’s onto marketing—word of mouth, leaflets, Facebook groups, local directories, and a simple but clean (pun intended) website.

Clients book you in, you do the job, then you invoice—unless you take payment up front. Keep records, stay consistent, and always clean to the standard you’d want if it were your own home or business.

What Licences Are Needed to Start a Cleaning Business?

Good news: in most cases, you don’t need a specific cleaning licence to start a cleaning business in the UK. But—big but—you do need to cover the legal basics.

Here’s what you do need:

• Public Liability Insurance – non-negotiable. This protects you if you break something, someone gets injured, or you accidentally stain a carpet with a dodgy product.

• Employer’s Liability Insurance – if you hire staff, you legally need this. Even if they’re part-time or casual.

• COSHH Compliance – if you use any chemicals (and you will), you must follow the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations. Know your products, label everything, and train yourself and staff.

• DBS Checks – not legally required, but highly recommended if you're entering people’s homes. It builds trust.

• Waste Carrier Licence – if you dispose of clients’ waste (e.g., builders’ dust bags, heavy rubbish), you may need this from the Environment Agency.

You should also register with HMRC if you're earning over £1,000/year (which you probably will be). As a sole trader or limited company, you’ll be expected to file tax returns and keep proper books.

What Are the Benefits?

This business is all about low barriers and high demand. You don’t need a fancy degree or loads of startup capital—just the right attitude, basic supplies, and good time management. Work can be flexible, regular, and lucrative. Most clients want weekly, fortnightly, or monthly jobs—meaning recurring income.

There’s also room to grow. Start alone, bring on a few cleaners, expand into new areas, or even go commercial. It’s one of the few businesses where word of mouth spreads quickly, and a good reputation is gold.

And yes—there’s satisfaction in turning total chaos into something that gleams.

Understanding the Process

It’s not all dusting and smiling. You’ll need to price competitively but fairly—undercutting the market will burn you out and bankrupt you. You’ll have to deal with cancellations, tricky customers, and the occasional weird mess. (You’ll learn to bring gloves everywhere.)

Scheduling is a juggle, especially if you scale. Cleaning takes time, energy, and a strong back. You’ll need to be reliable, organised, and firm about payment terms. Oh, and if you're using your own supplies—factor them into your pricing. That mop head won't pay for itself.

Advantages:
It’s low-cost to start, scalable, and always in demand. You don’t need special qualifications, and you can often set your own hours. If you’re efficient, organised, and personable, you’ll build a solid client base quickly.

Disadvantages:
It’s physically demanding, sometimes awkward (people have strange homes), and you’ll deal with no-shows or slow payers. The admin—insurance, invoicing, schedules—can sneak up on you. And growth means people management, which isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Things You Should Know About Starting a Cleaning Business

1. You Don’t Need a Formal “Cleaning Licence” – But You DO Need to Be Legally Set Up

There’s no official “cleaning business licence” in the UK, but you must:

• Register with HMRC as a sole trader or set up a limited company via Companies House.

• Get insured. Public liability insurance is crucial. One bleach spill or broken vase could cost you more than a year’s profit.

• If you hire even one person, Employer’s Liability Insurance is a legal requirement. It’s not optional.

• If you transport waste (say, from deep cleans or end-of-tenancy jobs), you may need a Waste Carrier Licence from the Environment Agency—especially for commercial or construction cleaning.

• Using chemicals? Then COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) compliance applies. Even basic products like bleach count. Know what you’re using, and train your team if you have one.

• Going into people’s homes? Basic DBS checks (Disclosure and Barring Service) aren’t legally required, but clients—especially landlords, estate agents, or vulnerable individuals—often expect it. It helps build trust.

2. Insurance is More Important Than You Think

You’ll need more than just public liability if you want to play it safe:

• Product Liability Insurance – protects you if a cleaning product damages a surface or appliance.

• Tools/Contents Insurance – if you store equipment at home or in a van, this covers theft or damage.

• Business Vehicle Insurance – if you’re using your car or van for work (like carrying equipment), you need commercial cover.

3. Choose Your Business Type Wisely

Sole Trader: easier to set up, but you’re personally liable for all debts and legal issues. Good for small, local setups.

Limited Company: more admin, but separates your personal assets from the business. Looks more professional to bigger clients and lets you scale with more credibility.

4. Create Service Contracts and Clear Terms

A lot of cleaners skip this. Don’t. Create a basic terms of service document that covers:

• What’s included and excluded

• Cancellation policies

• Payment terms (weekly/monthly/in advance)

• Damage or accident procedures

It protects you and sets expectations. Verbal agreements will burn you eventually.

5. You’ll Need More Than Just a Mop and a Smile

To get started, you’ll need:

• Cleaning supplies (some clients provide their own, but it’s better if you come prepared)

• Microfibre cloths, mops, hoover, gloves, and PPE

• A way to take payments (bank transfer, mobile card reader, or online invoice)

• A branded email address and phone number (don’t use your personal ones long-term)

You don’t need a website on day one—but eventually you’ll want one. It helps with credibility and Google search visibility. And yes, people do still Google "cleaner near me".

6. Start Small, Grow Smart

The best approach is to start small—just you, a few clients, and a well-managed calendar. Focus on doing every job really well, getting reviews, and learning the ropes. Then, when demand builds, hire carefully. Vet people. Train them. Pay them properly. A flaky team member can damage your rep faster than you can say "limescale remover".

If you're thinking about expansion, keep an eye on:

• Software for scheduling, quotes, and invoicing (Jobber, FreshBooks, or even a Google Sheet to start)

• Uniforms and branding—logos on shirts, flyers, van graphics

• Regular clients vs. one-off deep cleans—build recurring income first

Recap on Licences and Legal Bits

To clarify and keep things clean (pun intended):

What you need

• HMRC registration (or Companies House if going limited)

• Public liability insurance

• Employer’s liability (if hiring)

• COSHH compliance (if using chemicals)

• A Waste Carrier Licence (if transporting rubbish)

• DBS checks (optional but highly recommended)

What you don’t need:

• A general cleaning licence

• Any formal qualifications (though training always helps)

Summary

Starting a cleaning business in the UK is a smart, accessible way to become your own boss. It’s honest work with real potential—especially if you're professional, reliable, and savvy with pricing and planning. Get your legal bits sorted, build trust with every clean, and soon you’ll be running a business that’s tidy in more ways than one.