How to Start a Cleaning Business in the UK

In the UK, one of the highly rewarding business ventures to explore is a cleaning company.  It offers the advantage of low start-up costs, steady and growing demand, strong profit margins, and the flexibility to shape your own schedule while scaling at your own pace.

So, how can you grow a successful cleaning business? 

In the following sections, we walk you step-by-step through how to start a cleaning business in the UK.

Step 1: Conduct Market Research

At the very start of launching your own cleaning business is understanding your market, target audience, and competitors. 

Here’s everything you need to know about conducting market research. 

Understand the Local Market

Not all cleaning companies are the same. In the UK, some of the variables you can see include basic cleaning services, specialist cleaning services, domestic cleaning services, and commercial cleaning services. 

But that’s not all.

These categories can be split down further, going into even more granular services, like kitchen cleaning, carpet cleaning, and more. 

To create an appealing service, you’ll first need to find out everything about your local market. Are there specific hygiene challenges circulating around your local area? Does the geographic location of your city demand specialised cleaning solutions? Would a home cleaning business be more in demand than a commercial cleaning business?

Understand the demand for cleaning services around you and find out what the top-preferred solutions are (like deep cleaning, eco-friendly cleaning, or others). 

Analyse Competitors

Once you have an idea of what people in your area are looking for, examine other cleaning businesses. 

How are rival cleaning companies positioning themselves in the market? How many residential cleaning businesses are there as opposed to commercial cleaning businesses? What are their pricing structures? How do they target customers, and how are their services executed?

Answering these questions will help you get to know your competition and most importantly, sport weaknesses that you could fill with your offering. 

Define Your Target Market

Who are your potential customers? What age groups do they fit into? Are they married or single? Do they live in houses or flats? What are your ideal customers’ spending abilities? What type of cleaning problems or challenges are they facing? 

Based on all of the collected data from above, you should now be able to decide whether you’ll be focusing on:

• Residential clients – families with busy schedules, working professionals, elderly customers;
• Commercial contracts – offices, retail stores, schools, gyms;
• Specialised clients – Airbnb hosts, landlords, post-construction sites.

This decision is essential for all other pieces of the puzzle, from marketing to execution. 

Register Your Business

Next, to start running your own business, you’ll need to make it official by registering it. The registration process varies by country. 

Here’s how you can register a UK cleaning business.

Choose a Business Structure

In the UK, you can register a cleaning company as a partnership, limited company, or self-employed. The right choice of business structure will depend on your plans for the future, preferences, and requirements.

For example, if you’re earning more than £1,000 from self-employment in the UK, you’ll need to register as a sole trader. If you’re providing your cleaning services on your own and don’t intend to grow a large business from your expertise, this is probably one of the most reasonable types of registrations. The setup is simple, and taxes are lower. However, keep in mind you’ll need to complete a self-assessment tax return. 

On the other hand, if you want to avoid personal liability, it’s recommended to register a limited company. This means that your business will be considered a separate legal entity or that your personal assets will be protected. 

Last but not least, you can register a partnership if you plan to share responsibilities and profits with other co-founders. 

Business Name

Choosing a business name or trading name is also a fundamental part of starting a cleaning business.

You can be as creative as you want, but there’s one condition – the name must not be used by another business. You can check if the business name you’re considering is available by contacting Companies House. 

To learn more, see our full guide on registering a business name in the UK.

Register with HMRC

After you’ve selected the appropriate business structure and a business name, you’re now ready to register your new cleaning business with the HMRC. 

This registration will enable you to trade legally. If you register with the HMRC as an employer, you’ll also need to collect tax and national insurance for your employees using a payroll system. 

In the UK, if your total taxable turnover for the last year exceeds £90,000, you’ll also be required to register for VAT.

Ensure Compliance and Obtain Necessary Permits

Just like with any other new business, it’s crucial to ensure you’re compliant with all UK laws and regulations in regards to operating a cleaning business. 

Most cleaning business owners aren’t required to have a specific business licence for running a cleaning company (apart from the standard licences for trading as a business). 

However, you may be subject to additional regulations or mandatory permits in case you’re:

• Working with cleaning chemicals (must comply with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations);
  
• Conducting commercial waste disposal (may require a Waste Carrier Licence from the Environment Agency);
  
• Providing food premises cleaning;
  
• Offering cleaning services in hospitals and schools (a Disclosure and Barring Service check may be required).

Don’t forget to abide by all UK employment laws when hiring staff. 

As of April 2025, the hourly rate for the national minimum wage is as follows:

• £12.21 (for employees aged 21 and over);
• £10 (for employees aged 18 to 20);
• £7.55 (for employees aged under 18);
• £7.55 (apprentice rate).

In addition, certain business insurance requirements must be met by cleaning companies, like public liability insurance and employers’ liability insurance, which we mentioned earlier. You can explore other non-mandatory but recommended insurances, like vehicle insurance, professional indemnity insurance, and tools and equipment cover. 

Step 4: Develop a Business Plan

The business plan is equally important to you and potential investors. It will guide you towards achieving your goals and will present your objectives and strategies for growth to external investors. 

A business plan should consist of the following sections:

• Executive summary
• Business description
• Market analysis
• Products and services offered 
• Marketing strategy
• Operational plan 
• Management 
• Financial plan and funding 

Although all parts of the business plan have substantial weight, let’s focus on three that are core for cleaning businesses.

Outline Services

How you form and present your services will ultimately make or break your name on the market. 

Earlier, we noted that there are diverse cleaning services you can provide as a cleaning company. Make sure you outline those you choose to develop and describe them in detail. 

Here’s a recap of the major cleaning categories and all they include:

• Domestic cleaning – can include regular domestic cleaning, deep cleaning, carpet and upholstery cleaning, window cleaning, oven and kitchen appliance cleaning, mattress cleaning, curtain cleaning, green cleaning, tenancy cleaning;
  
• Commercial cleaning – office cleaning, retail cleaning, industrial or warehouse cleaning, school cleaning, healthcare and medical cleaning, hospitality cleaning, event cleaning, public sector cleaning;
  
• Specialist cleaning – biohazard and trauma cleaning, graffiti removal, pressure washing, roof cleaning, pest control cleaning, and others.

Make sure to define the scope of services in your business plan. Set short-term and long-term growth targets for each service to track performance over time. 

Financial Projections

Another fundamental part of creating a business plan is setting a realistic estimate for your startup costs and making revenue forecasts based on your target market size.  

Whether you’ll be working with basic equipment or require specialist equipment, outline all your upfront spending. This will allow you to select adequate pricing models and potentially boost your returns in the future. 

Some of the must-have cleaning equipment to factor in includes:

• Equipment trolleys 
• Vacuum cleaners 
• Mops, buckets, brooms, dustpans, gloves, spray bottles, microfibre cloths, dusters, and other cleaning supplies
• All-purpose cleaners, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, disinfectant, floor cleaner and other cleaning products
• Specialised cleaning equipment (like carpet cleaning machines, steam cleaners, pressure washers, floor polishers, and others)

Research the prices for these products and note down your expected costs. After you’ve set your service prices, you’ll be able to calculate how many customers you’ll need to earn the profits you’re after. 

Funding Options

Even if starting a cleaning business is considered a low-startup-cost initiative, it still requires an investment. 

Some owners prefer to explore small business loans and government grants for financial support. Others, in contrast, can rely on personal savings. 

The right approach will ultimately come down to your startup costs and available finances. 

Step 5: Accepting Payments and Managing Finances

The next step to starting a successful cleaning company is one that owners often underestimate: payment solutions and managing finances. 

There’s one thing all cleaning companies share in common – they’re always on the move. Your cleaning professionals will constantly be moving from one location to another, performing cleaning services for your clients.

This dynamic environment demands flexibility, reliability and security when it comes to payments. Invest in a portable card machine or online payment gateway that will enable you to accept payments seamlessly wherever you are. Familiarise yourself with the available options for accepting contactless payments, debit and credit cards, and digital wallets. For corporate clients, it might be a good idea to consider offering PayPal or bank transfers. 

Ideally, partner with a payments provider like myPOS with an established reputation that will help you build trust and confidence with your consumers. 

Set up invoicing systems for commercial contracts and recurring clients. This will ensure that you’re collecting payments on time, preventing delays which can disrupt normal business operations. Sophisticated accounting software can make significant contributions, allowing you to keep an eye on cash flow and send payment reminders to customers. 

This brings us to the next important point. Open a dedicated business bank account and monitor cash flow separately from your personal assets. 

Step 6: Marketing and Customer Acquisition

Both cleaning companies and other businesses have one common task when launching products or services – nailing their marketing strategy. Create a comprehensive marketing plan that ensures your business grows, and there’s enough work for both your domestic and commercial cleaners. 

Local Advertising

When it comes to marketing for a cleaning business, one of the first steps is to experiment with local advertising. This is a powerful approach for this type of business as it can prove to be an affordable way to win new clients.

Take advantage of flyers, community boards, and local newspapers to advertise your brand and services. Make sure to present your offering in an appealing way, making potential customers see why your services are a must-have. 

Where possible, visit local events and network with local businesses for potential partnerships. For example, realtors can recommend you to tenants for tenancy cleaning, while construction workers and renovators can direct clients to your renovation cleaning services. 

Online Presence

In 2025, growing a business without having a solid online presence is a mission impossible. Make your cleaning business visible online and build a memorable brand that locals will remember. 

When creating your online presence, the channels you should focus on include:

• Professional website – build a business website that tells visitors who you are, what you offer, and what pain points you help solve. Make your contact information visible, show your expertise, and don’t forget to point out the online payment options you support.
  
• Google Business Profile – set up your Google Business Profile to improve your local SEO and make your business discoverable in your area.
  
• Social media – platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X are great ways to build a community and share your brand stories with potential customers.
  
• Email newsletters – regularly engage with existing and potential clients by sending out informative and value-adding newsletters that can inspire action. 

All the above steps can help turn your cleaning business into a visible brand that your locals love and appreciate. 

Building a Reputation

Today, building a reputation is more powerful than ever. Businesses are actively competing for attention via paid advertisements, often neglecting reviews and testimonials.

The truth is that a satisfied customer can do a lot more for your business than any paid ad. 

Encourage existing clients to share their feedback about you and your cleaning business, both online and offline. You can incentivise them with special discounts or referral rewards to attract more customers and build your client base. 

Step 7: Monitor Growth and Scale Up

Last but not least, don’t fall victim to the comfort zone. Monitor your growth and performance, and once you’ve achieved your short-term goals, make adjustments and climb to new heights. 

For example, if you’ve launched a regular domestic cleaning service that’s performing well, expand your services, tapping into niche solutions like carpet cleaning, window cleaning, or eco-friendly options. Identify opportunities for upselling to existing clients by launching new services. 

Keep your employees happy by developing training programs that will also keep your service quality high. Automate where possible with solutions like cleaning business software that can help you manage schedules and employee tasks. 

When you’ve set the foundations and are comfortable with your team and services, seek larger, long-term cleaning contracts with businesses or property managers for even higher profits. 

Conclusion

Starting a profitable cleaning business in the UK is not just possible for large corporations with significant financial backing. Regardless of the competitive business arena, you can turn your cleaning company into a dream come true with the right structure and step-by-step process. 

Stand out from the crowd by offering flexible payment solutions, providing high-quality services, and constantly adapting to the changing market needs in the cleaning industry. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of cleaning businesses in the UK?

The different types of cleaning businesses are categorised into domestic, commercial, and specialised. For example, domestic cleaners perform cleaning services in customers’ homes, which can include general cleaning or specific cleaning (like window cleaning or carpet cleaning). Commercial cleaning services are performed in business premises, while specialised cleaning businesses can offer multiple services, like chemical cleaning, graffiti removal, or biohazard cleaning.

Why is starting a cleaning business in the UK a good idea?

The British Cleaning Council (BCC) has revealed that the cleaning, hygiene, and waste industry is worth £59bn, making a significant contribution to the UK economy. This industry employs nearly 1.5 million people, shaping around 5% of the UK workforce.

What are the advantages of starting a cleaning company in the UK compared to investing in a cleaning franchise?

Starting your own cleaning company gives you full control over branding, pricing, and operations. You can build the business at your own pace with lower upfront fees. A cleaning franchise, on the other hand, offers a proven business model, brand recognition, and support, but typically comes with ongoing fees and less flexibility.