“What do I actually need to start?” It’s the question that stops most people before they begin — not because the answer is complicated, but because nobody gives it to you straight. Here it is: the real checklist, nothing padded, nothing missing.
1. Cleaning Supplies (The Actual Essentials)
You need enough to clean any normal home well. Not a janitorial warehouse — a caddy’s worth:
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Microfiber cloths (a big pack — you’ll go through them): https://link.amazon/B0978PkiC
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Spin mop and bucket: https://link.amazon/B08NMMJ9X
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Stick vacuum (light and fast for maintenance cleans): https://link.amazon/B0B9V6WR1
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Spray bottles with all-purpose cleaner (buy concentrate, mix your own): https://link.amazon/B00lp6tCO
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Scrub brushes for grout, tubs, and detail work: https://link.amazon/B0cBXFGL6
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A cleaning caddy to carry it all in one trip: https://link.amazon/B00heKm28
Total: roughly $100–$200. That’s your equipment investment. Done.
2. A Business Name
Pick something simple, local, and easy to spell. Check that the name isn’t taken in your state, and grab the matching Google Business Profile the same day.
3. A Business License
Usually $50–$100 from your city or county clerk. It’s unglamorous paperwork, but “licensed” is a trust word clients look for.
4. Liability Insurance
About $30–$40/month for general liability. Not required everywhere, but the moment you’re in someone’s home around their belongings, you want coverage. “Licensed & Insured” wins jobs.
5. A Way to Get Paid
Keep it simple at first: cash, check, Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle. When you’re ready to look more professional, add card payments through Square or Stripe. Always give a receipt.
6. A Pricing Method
Don’t guess, don’t copy the cheapest competitor, and don’t charge hourly for recurring work. Learn the flat-rate formula: price by the home’s size and condition, charge the first visit as a deep clean, and put every price in writing before you start. I break the whole method down here: /blog/how-much-to-charge-for-house-cleaning
7. A Plan to Get Clients
Supplies don’t matter without customers. Your first 10 clients come from: Google Business Profile, Nextdoor, local Facebook groups, referrals from everyone you know, and simple flyers. Full breakdown here: /blog/first-10-clients
8. The Right Mindset
You’ll be bad at quoting at first. You’ll underprice a job and kick yourself. Every cleaner does. The ones who make it are the ones who learn the lesson once and adjust.
What You DON’T Need
An LLC on day one. A wrapped vehicle. A professional logo. Expensive software. Permission from anyone.
The Bottom Line
Supplies, a name, a license, insurance, a way to get paid, a pricing method, and a client plan. That’s the whole list. Most people can check every box in a week.
Want it all in one place — the 69-page playbook plus the pricing calculator that does the math for you? That’s the Cleaning Business Launch Kit: https://www.cleaning-r-us.com
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Want the shortcut?
The Cleaning Business Launch Kit ($67 one-time) puts the systems from these guides into one 69-page playbook plus the Excel pricing calculator.