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15 Cleaning Jobs
Residential Cleaning
HandyPro Summary
- Earn between $22 per hour to $62 per hour
- Working hours based on your availability
- Jobs will be within 100 miles of your home
- Get paid within 7 days after a gig
In the busy, modern world, many people don’t have the time or ability to keep their homes clean and tidy. So, there is always room for people offering residential cleaning services.
You may offer services on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The typical duties include:
- Mopping floors
- Dusting
- Vacuuming
- Cleaning Kitchens & Bathrooms
- Laundry & Ironing
- Washing Dishes
One attractive thing about residential cleaning jobs is that it can be quite easy to find clients. You can join platforms such as Care or Handy, or market your services on local social media pages. You can even put flyers out in your local area.
You can work residential cleaning jobs on a full or part time basis. Additionally, you don’t need special equipment, just basic cleaning supplies, such as mops, cleaning cloths and some cleaning products.
Most professional cleaners can average 500 square feet per hour. So, you can expect it to take approximately three hours to clean a typical home. Be aware that while bedrooms typically take approximately 15 minutes to clean, kitchens and bathrooms can take 30 minutes or more. So, the configuration of the house will impact the cleaning time.
Residential cleaners typically earn up to $20 per hour. Newbies are likely to earn approximately $10 per hour, but as you gain experience and efficiency, you can earn more.
Commercial Cleaning
Commercial cleaning is another popular type of cleaning jobs. This can include cleaning offices, apartments, business premises and other commercial spaces. There is typically higher demand in large cities. But, if you live near a commercial center, you could find lots of work.
Where commercial cleaning differs from residential cleaning as it often requires working at the weekends or outside of typical business hours. This is so the company operations will not be interrupted and you can clean when the premises are quiet.
The actual cleaning processes are quite similar to residential cleaning. You’ll need to vacuum floors, clean bathrooms and kitchen areas, dust surfaces and clean glass. However finding work can be a little trickier.
Many commercial cleaning projects work on a contract basis. So, you will need to not only apply for jobs, but pitch rates and sign agreements. It is possible to find work on platforms such as Indeed. You can search for opportunities by location, so you can find work in your area. Commercial cleaning typically pays up to $50 per hour.
As you gain a reputation in the industry, you may be able to obtain government contracts that are usually annual and pay off quickly.
Laundry Services
Everyone needs clean clothes, but they may not have the time to wash, dry, iron and fold them for themselves. Hence the demand for laundry services.
As a newbie, one of the best ways to get started is to sign up for Laundry Care.
This platform will allow you to complete laundry from home and earn approximately $20 per bag. You can also boost your earnings by offering ironing and providing rush services.
To sign up, you need to complete the application form on the Laundry Care website.
The provider requirements include:
- Being 21 or older
- Have a washer & dryer
- Daytime availability
- Smartphone compatible with the Laundry Care app
- Have the ability to pick up and deliver the laundry orders.
The team will process your application and within 3 to 5 days, you’ll receive your initial supplies. There is an initial cost of $39.99 for your starter kit including nylon bags, garment covers and plastic bag tags.
Your earnings will accumulate in your Laundry Care app wallet. You can then redeem your cash at any time.
Window Cleaning
Window cleaning is another area of the industry where you can work flexible hours. In many cases, you may even just work weekends.
The average rate for window cleaners is approximately $15 to $20 per hour. You can find jobs on boards such as Indeed. However, you will need to think about your start up costs before you begin.
The start up costs can be less than $1,000 if you already have a vehicle. You will need to ensure that you have adequate insurance coverage in case of accidents. This includes liability insurance and if you have a team, workers compensation insurance. If you’re thinking about cleaning high rise windows, you will need additional insurance and your home state may mandate certification and safety training before you can begin.
To perform window cleaning, you will need to be physically fit. However, you’re likely to spend your days on day to day operations as well as canvas, bid on jobs, schedule visits and handle any customer service queries.
Carpet Cleaning
Another specialized area of cleaning is carpet cleaning. This can be challenging to start as the initial cost of equipment can be expensive. But, it can be a lucrative gig, earning up to $150 per hour.
You’re likely to find that most of your working days will be cleaning carpets in commercial premises. Most people only get the carpets in their homes cleaned once or twice per year. Businesses tend to need their carpets cleaned more frequently, particularly in customer areas such as lobbies. You may also get business cleaning rugs.
You can find jobs on platforms such as SimplyHired. Many of these opportunities will provide equipment and job training. So, they can be a good starting point.
Once you have some experience working carpet cleaning jobs, you could branch out and create your own company. This will require investment to cover equipment and overheads, but it could be a good way to boost your income and create a full time career.
Cleaning Swimming Pools
Swimming pools can be heavenly on a warm summer day. Unfortunately, pools can take cleaning and maintenance.
Unlike many types of cleaning jobs, there are regulations for cleaning swimming pools in some states. So, you may need to obtain a license and get experience working for a company before you can go it alone.
You can expect to earn as much as $50 per hour cleaning pools. Yet, the start up costs can be less than $2,000 depending on whether any licensing fees apply.
This will include:
- Cleaning chemicals,
- Water testing kits
- Leaf Rakes
- Skimmers
- Brushes
While it may increase your initial investment, you can keep your costs lower by purchasing chemicals in bulk. You can expect that approximately 20 percent of your revenue will account for these expenses. You will also need a vehicle large enough to carry your equipment.
How much you charge your customers can vary. According to Home Advisor, pool cleaners typically charge $177 for weekly cleaning up to $266 for opening and closing.
To find clients, you can go door to door in local neighborhoods or use direct mailing and targeted online ads. Bear in mind that you don’t need to restrict your services to homes. You can also target businesses such as hotels, health clubs and other premises with a private pool.
Car Washing & Detailing
Craigslist Summary
- Posts are anonymous
- Quick and easy listing in a matter of minutes
- Little to no seller fees, most auctions are free
- Sell within your local area
Here are 273 million vehicles in the USA. Most car owners enjoy driving a nice looking vehicle. This creates an opportunity to make money car washing and detailing.
While there are car washing businesses around the country, many people prefer hand washing. Additionally, as a mobile car washing service provider, you can offer the convenience of washing and detailing at people’s homes, offices or businesses.
You can set your own rates. But, your typical rates are $10 to $50, depending on the level of cleaning. So, you may charge $10 for a basic wash, while a full wash and valet would cost $50.
Depending on the size of the vehicle, it can take 15 to 30 minutes. As a newbie, you may find that it takes you a little longer. However, it is important that you do a good job. Word will travel quickly if you leave cars looking streaky or with water spots. When you do a good job, you may find that you start getting referrals from your happy customers.
It is possible to find clients locally by posting flyers or posting on social media groups. You can also post adverts on Craigslist.
Housekeeper
Housekeepers can live in or live out. Live in housekeepers are far less common. So, it is more likely that you will live outside the home and come into work.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Cleaning
- Tidying
- Cooking
- Shopping
- Childcare
- Pet care
This is likely to make you a vital part of a busy household, offering full or part time support.
There are a number of platforms where you can find housekeeper jobs. One of the best is GoNannies.
The platform has opportunities for various jobs including:
- Housekeepers,
- Nannies,
- Sitters,
- Mother’s helpers,
- Elder caregivers,
- Personal chefs.
As a housekeeper, you can expect to earn $15 or more per hour. There may be other benefits such as room and board if you live in.
To use the platform, you need to register. This is a free process that only takes a few minutes. You must also agree to respond to all inquiries, show up for interviews and provide accurate profile information.
Property Maintenance
ZipRecruiter Summary
- Top-rated app and job search engine
- Simple, 1-tap job application process
- Over 30 different job categories
- More than 7.5 million jobs posted each day
Property maintenance involves cleaning and repairs of commercial properties and residential buildings. While some property maintenance jobs can be more of a handyman gig, there are some that are strictly cleaning jobs.
The job may involve sweeping parking lots, emptying trash cans, picking up garbage and other cleaning tasks.
You can find jobs on platforms like ZipRecruiter. There is the potential to earn up to $50,000 per year.
Home Move Cleaning
Moving home can be stressful. There are so many things you need to remember, so cleaning may be the last thing on your mind. This is where you can find some lucrative cleaning jobs.
The job involves tackling the cleaning while the homeowner is finishing packing.
This will involve:
- Sweeping and vacuuming floors
- Scrubbing showers, bathtubs and toilets
- Cleaning sinks and countertops
- Dusting all surfaces
- Cleaning kitchen appliances
- Wiping down baseboards.
This can help people to reclaim their full security deposit or just welcome the new home buyer. You can also perform the same service when your client is moving into a home. So, before your client starts to unpack any boxes, you will give the home a deep clean.
Home move cleaning is similar to residential cleaning, but it has a far more rigid schedule. Since you will be performing the cleaning on moving day, you will need to arrive on time and ensure that you work quickly and efficiently around packing activities.
For this reason, you can charge a premium for this type of service. Move day cleaning can command up to $300 or more, depending on the size of property.
Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning or spring cleaning is far more comprehensive than basic cleaning.
This type of cleaning jobs involves:
- Vacuuming upholstery
- Hand washing cabinets
- Sanitizing Bathrooms
- Polishing woodwork
- Cleaning appliances
- Cleaning ceiling fans etc.
Many homeowners will pay for deep cleaning services once or twice a year. This is typically more seasonal work compared to regular residential cleaning. However, you can slot it around other cleaning work. You’re likely to find the peak demand is in spring, before the holidays and during vacations.
Lots of people like to ensure their home is sparkling clean before family members arrive for the holidays or prefer to return home to a beautifully clean and tidy home.
As with moving day cleaning, you can earn up to $300 or more per clean. This is likely to take you all day, depending on the size of the property. So, it can be a lucrative form of cleaning work.
Construction Clean Up
Construction clean up is a bit different to residential or cleaning services. The work is typically far more labor intensive with heavy lifting, debris removal and ladder work.
A construction clean up crew ensures that renovated or newly built homes are clean and tidy before the owner moves in to take possession.
The duties may include:
- Dusting and washing all surfaces
- Cleaning windows inside and out
- Removing stickers on new appliances and windows
- Hauling any remaining construction debris
- Polishing any interior marble, tile or glass surfaces.
- Vacuuming floors
- Washing walls
The rates generally relate to estimates and depend on the scope of the work. You can expect to earn up to $30 per hour.
You can find clients through contractors, property developers and renovation companies. You will need to market your services and pitch yourself on the phone or face to face.
Upholstery & Curtain Cleaning
Although many people can handle the day to day cleaning in their homes, upholstery and curtain cleaning may be beyond their skills and expertise. Window treatments and pieces of upholstered furniture are constantly in the open. This means they collect dust and can start to look dirty.
This type of work typically involves dry cleaning. You will need to clean curtains in place rather than taking down the curtains and rehanging them.
The typical cost for this type of cleaning job is $140 to $350. However, you will need to invest in some equipment. You’re likely to need a steam vacuum system with a variety of upholstery tools. This will allow you to dry steam the items to remove dust and sanitize the surface.
While there are lightweight models on the market, a heavy duty steam vacuum can cost up to $1,000 or more. This is a significant investment, but you can quickly recoup your costs. You can find jobs on platforms such as SimplyHired or Indeed. It is possible to set your own rates, but the average pay is $24,000 to $42,000 per year.
Janitorial Services
Janitorial services typically cover the ongoing cleaning and maintenance of commercial properties. This is a little more involved than commercial cleaning. You’ll also need to tackle some general tasks such as fixing broken doors or changing light bulbs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently over 2 million people working in janitorial services in the USA. The average rate of pay is $13 per hour.
You can find Janitorial cleaning jobs on Craigslist or through local social media pages. However, you can also find opportunities online on platforms such as Indeed.
Sanitatization Services
With the 2020 pandemic, the need for sanitization services has increased. While cleaning involves removing particles of grime and dirt, sanitation uses antimicrobial products to “disinfect” surfaces to ensure the levels of microorganisms are at a safe, healthy level.
To offer sanitization services, you will need to use EPA registered cleaning products that are both effective and safe. It is important that you follow a systematic process to ensure the office or home is free of viruses, bacteria and germs. This especially includes high touch areas such as counters, bathroom fittings, doorknobs and tabletops.
While the EPA does not licence companies offering sanitization services, there are state requirements for certification, licensing and training. So, you will need to check the requirements in your state before you begin.
You can expect to earn $50 or more per hour.
How Much Money Can You Make as a Cleaner?
Depending on your chosen area, it is possible to make up to $50 or more per hour as a cleaner.
Skills and Qualities Needed to Become a Cleaner?
While cleaning may seem like a simple job, there are some basic skills that you will need. These include:
- Punctuality and reliability
- Trustworthiness
- Good time management
- Detail oriented
- Ability to work independently and efficiently
- Physically fit enough to tackle the tasks
How to Get Started Working as a Cleaner
There are a number of steps to get started with your cleaning business. This includes:
- Defining your business: While there are companies that offer all types of cleaning services, as a newbie, it is a good idea to specialize in specific areas. There are some types of cleaning jobs that complement each other. So, you can offer different services, such as residential cleaning, upholstery cleaning and moving cleaning to maximize your income and ensure your schedule is full.
- Comply with licensing regulations: The next step is to check with your state government about what licensing regulations apply in your area. You may need to take a training course and become certified to comply with regulations before you can establish your business.
- Set a budget: Most of the cleaning jobs listed above will require some initial capital, so you need to calculate your start up costs and set a budget. This will allow you to develop a business plan and set your rates.
- Choose a platform: While you can find clients through flyering, social media marketing and other advertising methods, a good starting point is to use a job platform. There are some great platforms to find cleaning jobs including Care, Housekeeper, and Jop.
You may need to start small, but it is important to give every job your greatest attention. Remember that word will spread about your services. So, if you do a good job, you may start to get referrals. But, if your work is not up to scratch, you may struggle to find more clients in the future.
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