Cleaning Houses

Do you have a passion for cleaning? Are you detail-oriented, meticulous, and dedicated to providing exceptional services?

If so, cleaning houses might be the perfect fit for you.

Use these qualities to your advantage and start your journey towards a successful house cleaning side hustle.

An Overview of Cleaning Houses: A Primer

With the right strategy, cleaning houses can be a lucrative and flexible way to earn extra income.

You don’t need formal qualifications or experience to get started. As long as you have a strong work ethic and good attention to detail, you’ll thrive in the business.

The demand for house cleaning services is at an all-time high, with industry trends showing a 20% growth year over year.

By 2024, up to 80% of households are expected to use some form of house cleaning service, whether it’s cleaning windows, cleaning pools, or other house cleaning jobs.

Lots of people, especially those with big families or busy lifestyles, are willing to pay a premium for the convenience of regularly having their homes cleaned.

How Much Can Cleaning Houses Earn You?

According to Indeed, full-time house cleaners earn an average annual salary of $25,000 to $35,000, depending on the location, the services offered, and the number of clients served.

As a side hustle, cleaning houses can get you anywhere between $15 to upwards of $35 per hour.

This number will go up if you offer special services or add-ons, such as post-construction cleaning, pet-specific cleaning, or deep cleaning.

These premium services command rates above the typical hourly range, allowing you to significantly boost your day-to-day earnings.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Side Hustle Cleaning Houses?

Most businesses come with overhead costs, and cleaning houses is no different. Luckily, starting a house cleaning business doesn’t require a high upfront investment. 

To get started, you only need basic cleaning supplies and equipment. This can include:

• High-quality vacuum: $200 to $300
• Cleaning solutions (dishwashing liquid, floor cleaner, etc.): $30 to $50
• Cleaning supplies (broom, mop, duster, etc.): $50 to $100
• Safety equipment (gloves, masks, disinfectant): $20 to $50

Advertising is optional but recommended to gain momentum and earn clients.

If you invest in online advertisements, you’ll be able to reach a wider audience and generate leads more effectively.

Depending on your platform of choice, advertising can run between $100 to $200.

Where Can You Find Gigs Cleaning Houses?

There are various avenues to find house-cleaning gigs. Whether you’re looking for part-time work or starting a cleaning business, here are some platforms to get you on the right foot:

Where to Independently Find Gigs Cleaning Houses

Freelance websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Thumtack are excellent resources for finding cleaning work. These sites not only allow you to create an online profile and showcase your cleaning services but also find customers looking for part-time and full-time house cleaning jobs.

The same is said for online job boards like Indeed, Flexjobs, LinkedIn, Simply Hired, and Monster. These sites streamline the job-searching process because they let you search by job type and apply for work directly through the site.

You can also set alerts when new jobs become available in your area and get notified by email, making it easier to stay up-to-date on cleaning gigs.

Gig Economy Companies That Offer Gigs Cleaning Houses

Clients who are particular about their house cleaning requirements often search for freelancers and professional cleaners on websites that specialize in these services.

Examples of such websites include:

• Housekeeper.com
• Care.com
• Merry Maids
• Molly Maid
• Hire a Maid

Housekeeper.com is arguably one of the most well-known and widely used online platforms for connecting freelance housekeepers with clients.

As of September 2023, the website has over 10,000 listings available in the US alone. Most of the clients pay handsomely, with offers ranging from $20 an hour to more than $50 an hour.

Care.com is another popular website dedicated to helping people find various caregiving services, including house cleaning. The site has more than 30 million subscribers across 20 countries and has been around since 2006.

Freelance housekeepers can create detailed profiles on the website, showcasing their skills, experience, and hourly rates. It also has a messaging system that allows housekeepers and clients to communicate and discuss job details and terms.

Why You Should Consider Cleaning Houses As a Side Hustle

Here are some of the biggest reasons why you should consider cleaning houses as a way to earn extra cash:

• Low start-up cost: House cleaning gigs have a relatively low start-up cost. You can start cleaning homes with a capital as low as $50, which covers the cost of basic cleaning supplies like cleaning agents, tools, and equipment.  
• Work availability: As long as there are homes, there’s a need for house cleaning services. They’re always in demand, so if you’re dedicated to the job, you’ll never run out of work.         
• Flexibility: As a freelance house cleaner, you’re your own boss. You have control over your rates and adjust your services to align with the market demand and your personal goals. If you end up working with a cleaning agency, many allow you to choose how many days and hours you’re able to work in a week.

Problems With Cleaning Houses

As with most side gigs, cleaning houses has its own set of disadvantages that may affect your decision to pursue it.

• Physically demanding: Cleaning houses is a physically demanding task. It involves lots of lifting, bending, and repetitive motions, which can lead to aches and pains. If you’re not used to non-stop, hours-long manual labor, you might want to reconsider cleaning houses as a side gig.
• Inconsistent income: Unless you’ve fully established yourself in the industry, your income can be somewhat inconsistent. Some weeks may be busier than others, which can make budgeting and financial planning challenging.
• Difficult clients: As a house cleaner, you’ll inevitably encounter difficult clients with unrealistic expectations of what can be accomplished in a single cleaning session. Some might even be unwilling to pay what you feel is a fair rate.

Frequently Asked Questions