Cleaning Business Ideas You Can Start in Canada
58 ideas
Cleaning is one of the more practical places to start a business, because the work is easy to explain and many jobs repeat. This page lists 58 ideas, from evening office cleaning contracts and mobile dryer vent cleaning to Residential pool cleaning routes.
Mobile leather sofa and car seat cleaning
Clean and condition leather sofas, chairs and car seats at customers' homes and workplaces.
- C$800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Leather jacket and bag cleaning from home
Clean, condition and refresh leather jackets, bags and boots from a home workspace, by drop-off or post.
- C$300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile graffiti removal
Remove graffiti from walls, fences and shutters for local property owners and businesses.
- C$2k-9k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Graffiti removal for property managers
Win regular clean-up contracts with property managers, condo boards and business areas.
- C$6k-25k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Self-service laundromat
Run a coin or card-operated laundromat where locals wash and dry their clothes, or buy an existing one.
- C$120k-500k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Drop-off wash-and-fold laundry
Wash, dry and fold other people's laundry from a small unit, with pick-up or drop-off.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Regular home cleaner for local households
Clean homes weekly or every two weeks for busy families and professionals in your area.
- C$200-900
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Rental turnover and move-out cleaning
Clean rentals between tenants for landlords, property managers and Airbnb hosts.
- C$500-2.5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Online janitorial supplies with local delivery
Sell mops, vacuums and cleaning machines to local cleaning firms and building managers from a simple online shop.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Mobile janitorial equipment supplier
Visit cleaning firms and building managers with a van of equipment, take orders and restock them on a regular route.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile carpet and rug cleaning
Deep clean carpets and rugs in homes and small offices with your own extraction machine.
- C$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Weekend carpet cleaning with rented kit
Start small by cleaning carpets on weekends with a rented or entry-level machine.
- C$300-1.8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Wash-and-fold laundry pickup and delivery
Collect dirty laundry from busy households, wash and fold it, and drop it back clean.
- C$500-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Linen laundry for small local businesses
Wash and return towels, sheets and linens for salons, Airbnb hosts and small restaurants.
- C$40k-180k
- Part-time
- Own premises
House clearance with a van
Clear unwanted contents from homes, basements and garages, then sort, donate, recycle or dispose of them.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estate cleanout and resale service
Clear homes after a bereavement or downsizing, and sell the items of value online to offset the cost.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Home window cleaning round
Clean windows for homeowners a few times a year and build a repeat route in your neighbourhood.
- C$400-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Storefront and office window cleaning
Keep shop fronts and small offices clean on a weekly or monthly contract.
- C$1k-5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Residential pool cleaning route
Service backyard pools weekly through the swim season for homeowners in your area.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pool opening and closing service
Open pools in spring and winterize them in fall, with one-off cleans in between.
- C$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Driveway and deck pressure washing
Restore driveways, decks, fences and siding for homeowners with a pressure washer and a trailer or truck.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Commercial pressure washing contracts
Clean storefronts, parking areas, patios and building exteriors for local businesses on a regular schedule.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile sofa and mattress cleaning
Deep clean sofas, chairs and mattresses at people's homes and offices with portable extraction machines.
- C$1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Weekend mattress and sofa refresh
Offer mattress and sofa cleaning on weekends, starting with a compact machine and a small local customer base.
- C$500-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
They suit people who are reliable, don't mind physical work and want customers who rebook. Start by deciding whether you want to serve homes or commercial clients, since contracts, hours and equipment differ. Then think about what you can afford for supplies or a vehicle, how far you're willing to travel, and how seasonal the work might be in your region. Check insurance, any licensing in your municipality and how you'll handle chemicals and waste before taking your first job.
More ideas
- Cleanout and waste hauling for contractors
- Evening office cleaning contracts
- Commercial cleaning company with a small crew
- Mobile car wash and detailing
- Hand car wash and detailing bay
- Dry cleaning pickup and delivery
- Neighbourhood dry cleaning shop
- Cloth diaper pickup and wash service
- Diaper rental and laundry service
- Mobile tile and grout cleaning
- Commercial tile floor cleaning
- Mobile bike wash and degrease
- Bike cleaning and tune-up workshop
- Local cleaning supplies delivery service
- Cistern and farm water tank cleaning
- Commercial water tank cleaning contracts
- Junk and garbage removal with a truck or trailer
- Regular garbage pickup for small businesses and rentals
- Mobile boat detailing
- Boat detailing and restoration bay
- Junk removal with your pickup or trailer
- Full-time junk removal and cleanout crew
- Mobile dryer vent cleaning
- Dryer vent cleaning for landlords
- Mobile blast cleaning on site
- Parts blasting workshop
- Home air duct cleaning
- Duct cleaning for offices and buildings
- Mobile boat washing and detailing
- Marina and charter boat cleaning contracts
- Mobile central vacuum installer
- Central vacuum shop with install team
- Residential home cleaning service
- Office and small business cleaning
Questions
What should I check before starting a cleaning business in Canada?
Look at business registration in your province, any municipal licence requirements, liability insurance and whether you need coverage for client property. Also check workplace safety rules if you plan to hire help, and how GST/HST registration might apply to you.
Do I need special equipment or training for cleaning work?
It depends on the service. Office or home cleaning can begin with basic supplies, while dryer vent, carpet or pool work may need specialised equipment. Check whether chemical handling training, such as WHMIS, or manufacturer guidance applies to the products you'd use.
How do I find my first cleaning customers?
Many people begin with neighbours, local property managers, small offices or community groups. Consider a simple pricing sheet, references from early jobs and a local online listing. For contract work, check what clients expect around insurance, schedules and security access.