When it comes to cleaning services, certain types of cleaning tend to be more lucrative than others due to their complexity, specialization, and higher demand.

Here’s a rundown of the types of cleaning that can bring in the most money…

Post-Construction Cleaning

• Why It Pays Well – After construction or renovation projects, properties need a thorough cleaning to remove dust, debris, and leftover materials. These jobs are often large in scale, time-consuming, and require specialized equipment.
• Rates – Post-construction cleaning typically commands higher rates because of the specialized work involved. Rates can range from $0.25 to $0.75 per square foot depending on the scope and location.
• Who Hires – Contractors, construction companies, or homeowners after a major renovation.

Deep Cleaning (Move-In/Move-Out)

• Why It Pays Well – Deep cleaning involves cleaning every nook and cranny of a property, which takes more time and effort than regular cleaning. Move-in/move-out cleanings are often needed when people vacate a rental property or when new tenants move in, and they typically require cleaning ovens, refrigerators, cabinets, carpets, and more.
• Rates – This type of cleaning can be priced per hour or flat rate, with prices ranging from $150 to $500 or more depending on the size and condition of the space.
• Who Hires – Realtors, property managers, homeowners, or tenants.

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

• Why It Pays Well – Carpet cleaning is often done with specialized equipment and chemicals. This service can be high-ticket, especially if you’re using top-tier machinery and offering stain removal or high-end upholstery cleaning.
• Rates – Carpet cleaning typically runs between $100 to $500 for an average home, depending on square footage, while upholstery cleaning can be priced at $30 to $100 per piece.
• Who Hires – Homeowners, hotels, office buildings, and property managers.

Window Cleaning (Especially High-Rise or Commercial)

• Why It Pays Well – Window cleaning, particularly for multi-story buildings or high-rise apartments, requires special equipment (like ladders or scaffolding) and can be hazardous. As such, it commands premium rates.
• Rates – For high-rise window cleaning, rates can range from $2 to $10 per window or $2 to $5 per square foot. Commercial jobs can go up to $1,000 or more for large office buildings.
• Who Hires – Commercial buildings, apartment complexes, or private homeowners with large properties.

Specialized Sanitation and Disinfection

• Why It Pays Well – The increased focus on sanitation (especially post-pandemic) means businesses, schools, medical facilities, and residential homes are willing to pay a premium for high-level disinfection services.
• Rates – Disinfection services can cost anywhere from $100 to $300 for residential properties and $500 to $5,000 for commercial buildings, depending on the size and frequency of the service.
• Who Hires – Hospitals, offices, gyms, daycares, and homes that need specialized sanitization.

Airbnb & Vacation Rental Cleaning

• Why It Pays Well – Vacation rentals and Airbnb properties need to be cleaned quickly and thoroughly between guests. These types of cleanings often include linens, restocking supplies, and ensuring the property is spotless for the next guest. The demand for turnover cleaning is high, and property owners or management companies are often willing to pay well for fast, professional cleaning.
• Rates – For a typical 2-3 bedroom home, rates can range from $100 to $300 per cleaning, with premium properties or those requiring more attention priced higher.
• Who Hires – Property owners, Airbnb hosts, and vacation rental managers.

Commercial Cleaning (Offices, Retail Spaces, etc.)

• Why It Pays Well – Commercial cleaning can be lucrative due to the size of the properties and the frequency of cleaning required (often nightly). Offices, retail spaces, and other commercial properties often require ongoing cleaning contracts, which can provide consistent revenue.
• Rates – Commercial cleaning services typically charge $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot depending on the type of service, frequency, and square footage. A medium-sized office cleaning contract could generate $500 to $3,000 per month.
• Who Hires – Offices, stores, industrial facilities, medical offices, schools, and restaurants.

Hospital or Medical Cleaning

• Why It Pays Well – Cleaning hospitals or medical facilities requires specialized training and the use of medical-grade disinfectants to maintain strict hygiene standards. Due to the high level of responsibility and the health risks involved, these contracts tend to pay well.
• Rates – Medical cleaning services often pay $30 to $60 per hour, and large hospitals can have contracts worth $5,000 to $15,000+ per month.
• Who Hires – Hospitals, dental offices, medical clinics, and nursing homes.

Event Cleaning (Before and After Events)

• Why It Pays Well – Event cleaning involves cleaning before and after large events, which may include concerts, conferences, weddings, or corporate gatherings. These jobs often require a crew to handle large spaces or venues quickly and efficiently.
• Rates – Event cleaning rates can range from $200 to $1,500 or more depending on the size of the event and venue.
• Who Hires – Event organizers, venues, corporate clients, and wedding planners.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning

• Why It Pays Well – Many people are now willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly or “green” cleaning services. This can include using non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products or offering sustainable, environmentally responsible practices.
• Rates – Eco-friendly cleaning services can charge 10-30% more than standard cleaning services, depending on the area and demand.
• Who Hires – Environmentally-conscious homeowners, commercial clients, or businesses with sustainability goals.

Additional Tips for Increasing Profits

• Offer Subscription or Recurring Services – Many cleaning services offer discounts for clients who sign up for regular, recurring cleaning (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly), which helps generate steady income.
• Upsell Extra Services – Offer add-ons such as carpet cleaning, organizing, or laundry services to increase the overall invoice.
• Build a Reputation – The more specialized your service (e.g., post-construction, high-rise window cleaning), the more you can charge for your expertise. Becoming known for your quality work in a specific niche can command higher rates.

If you’re trying to break into one of these more profitable cleaning types, it may require some upfront investment (specialized tools, training, or marketing), but once you’re established, these services often provide higher margins and better long-term profitability.