Are Cleaning Franchises Profitable?

By Franchise Gator

Posted : January 23, 2023

Category : Franchise Experts

Are Cleaning Franchises Profitable?
cleaning franchises

Everyone likes having a clean home, as well as clean grocery stores, offices, hospitals, airports, hotels–you get the idea. But even though everyone likes clean surroundings, around 73% of Americans hate cleaning. 51% said cleaning their homes for holiday guests in particular is one of the most stressful events of the year. Are you someone who actually enjoys cleaning? Then you might be here looking for cleaning franchises for sale.

For those who don’t mind the work, a cleaning franchise is an excellent way to meet the needs of busy people or those who need or want a professional.This work comes with the rewards of knowing you are helping others…but how much does a cleaning franchise make in return? And does an owner get to keep all that money? Read on to learn more about the profitability of cleaning franchises and some of the best franchises for sale in the market.

How Much Can You Make Owning a Cleaning Franchise?

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a cleaning franchise owner in the United States is a little over $80,000. However, that is just the salary of the owner. Much more of the revenue from a cleaning franchise will be reinvested into the business through paying employee salaries, buying inventory, marketing (including fees paid to the parent company), and more.

These additional costs are why a better reflection of the profitability of these franchises is their profit margins. A profit margin is the difference between the cost to run your business and the revenue it brings in. If you spend more than you are making, you will have a negative margin. Controlling costs is where choosing a franchise over starting your own cleaning business can be a major competitive advantage. Bulk buying power and the support of an established brand name that customers trust both help you maximize the margin with minimum expense.

Like any small business, a 7-10% cleaning business profit margin is considered healthy. Learn how to calculate profit margins here.

How Much Does it Cost to Buy Into a Cleaning Franchise?

Buying into a cleaning franchise can cost anywhere from $20k to $100k in minimum available cash, plus any additional fees and costs. There are a few variables that affect how much your cleaning business startup costs will be, including whether you want a commercial cleaning franchise or a residential cleaning franchise.

Residential vs Commercial Cleaning Business

How much does a cleaning franchise make? Residential and commercial cleaning businesses can both charge $40 or more an hour for services, and as the business grows, additional cleaners means revenue grows. But what is different is how residential vs commercial cleaning services get paid. Residential cleaners are often paid by the job or day, while commercial cleaners will be on a contract and monthly or annual retainer with their clients. When you own a franchise, it’s lucky that the franchisor will have tried-and-tested practices for billing and payment whether you choose residential or commercial.

What Is the Best Cleaning Franchise to Own?

The best cleaning franchise to own is one where you like the products and approach to customer service. Some cleaning franchises handle all kinds of cleaning while others are specialized. Here are just some of the cleaning franchises available.

  • The Maids: Ranked #1 by Entrepreneur Magazine for residential cleaning franchises, The Maids has a proprietary 22 Step Cleaning Process to guide you and future employees through delivering consistent service. Brand relationships with market leaders like Mr. Clean and Amazon Home Services help their franchise owners compete like a big business.

  • Home Clean Heroes: This brand is committed to breaking the mold and stereotypes of a traditional “maid” franchise. They say that each franchisee is in business for themselves, but not by themselves. There is even an on-call support staff for owners with questions or concerns. This is also a mission-driven business that gives donations back to first responders with every home cleaned.

  • milliCare Floor and Textile Care: A national franchise that is exclusively focused on commercial floors, milliCare has been a well-known name in facility management for 25+ years. The global network of franchise owners contains relationships with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, hospitals, airports, hotels and other commercial facilities.

  • ChemDry Carpet Cleaning: Founded in 1977, ChemDry’s patented method of Hot Carbonating Extraction removes dirt, dust, oil, and more from carpets. They have even been awarded the Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval. An organic cleaner means no exposure to harmful chemicals and soaps within the carpet, and their process means carpets dry faster than other cleaners.

Explore More Cleaning Franchises for Sale on FranchiseGator.com

These are just some of the cleaning franchises that could be a great fit for you, your community, and your goals. Take a look at our full list of cleaning and maintenance franchises which can be sorted by geography and/or investment level.


This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Review our cookies information for more details.

We are asking for your phone number so the businesses you have requested more information from can call/text you to chat with you more about their opportunity. We do not share your phone number with anyone other than the specific businesses you are interested in learning more about.