Cleaning business ideas you can start for up to £5,000
25 ideas
Cleaning is one of the more approachable sectors for first-time owners, because many services need practical skills and basic kit rather than premises. This page lists 25 ideas with startup costs up to £5,000.
Mobile graffiti removal service
Remove graffiti from walls, shutters and street furniture for shops, landlords and property managers.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based wash and fold laundry
Collect, wash, fold and return laundry for busy households, working from your own home.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile home carpet and rug cleaning
Clean carpets and rugs in people's homes using a portable machine and a small van or car.
- £1.2k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Domestic window cleaning round
Build a regular round of local homes and clean their windows every 4 to 8 weeks.
- £250-1.2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Shop and office window cleaning
Win regular contracts to clean shopfronts, offices and other small business premises.
- £500-3k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Driveway and patio pressure washing
Bring tired driveways, patios and decks back to life with a pressure washer and van.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Rental and end of tenancy cleaning
Deep clean rental properties between tenants for landlords and letting agents.
- £300-1.5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile pool cleaning and maintenance round
Visit private pools weekly or fortnightly to clean, test the water and keep them ready to swim in.
- £1k-5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile sofa and mattress cleaning
Visit homes with a portable extraction machine to clean sofas, chairs and mattresses, priced per item.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small-job clearances at weekends
Offer garage, loft and single-room clearances at weekends using a hired van and licensed disposal.
- £400-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small team home cleaning business
Build a team of cleaners to serve more homes and landlords in your area.
- £1k-5k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Tumble dryer vent cleaning
Visit homes and rentals to clear lint from dryer vents and hoses, helping cut the risk of fire.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile boat cleaning and valeting
Wash and valet boats at their moorings for private owners at your local marina or harbour.
- £400-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile leather sofa and car seat cleaning
Visit homes, car owners and small businesses to clean and condition leather sofas, chairs and car seats.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Tile and grout cleaning
Restore dull tiles and grubby grout in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways, working from your van.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Office and small business cleaning
Clean small offices, shops and studios on a regular contract, often before or after hours.
- £200-1.5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Water tank cleaning for homes and small sites
Clean and disinfect loft cold water tanks and small storage tanks for homeowners, landlords and local businesses, priced per tank.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile bike wash and degrease
Clean and degrease bikes at cyclists' homes, clubs and workplaces, using a small van or car kit.
- £250-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online cleaning supplies shop for businesses
Run a website selling cleaning products and janitorial supplies to businesses, shipped from a supplier or your own stock.
- £500-4k
- Side hustle
- Online
Mobile boat detailer
Travel to marinas and moorings to clean, polish and protect private boats for their owners.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Dry cleaning collection and delivery
Collect garments from homes and offices, use a trade cleaner to clean them, and return them.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local nappy laundry service from home
Collect used reusable nappies from local parents, wash them and return them clean each week.
- £800-3.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based leather jacket and bag cleaning
Clean and condition leather jackets, bags and small items from a spare room, with postal or drop-off service.
- £200-1.2k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile car wash and valet
Wash and tidy cars at customers' homes or workplaces with a van or car full of kit.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Some are regular, repeat-income services such as office and small business cleaning or rental and end of tenancy cleaning. Others are more specialist, like mobile sofa and mattress cleaning, which usually means buying a professional extraction machine. Start by deciding whether you prefer steady contracts or one-off jobs, and whether you are happy working evenings or early mornings. Then price your equipment, cleaning products, transport and insurance, and think about how you will find your first customers locally. Compare the ideas below to see which match your budget, skills and the time you can commit.
More ideas
Questions
What should I budget for when starting a cleaning business?
Check the cost of equipment, cleaning products, a suitable vehicle or transport, and insurance such as public liability. Also allow for marketing, uniforms and any training. Specialist services like sofa cleaning or pool maintenance may need pricier machines than general domestic cleaning.
Do I need insurance or a licence to run a cleaning business in the UK?
Requirements vary by service, so check before you start. Public liability insurance is commonly expected by commercial clients. Some work, such as waste handling or working on public property, may need permits. Ask your local council and an insurer about your situation.
Is it better to clean homes or businesses?
It depends on your lifestyle and goals. Homes may offer flexible daytime hours, while offices often need evening or early work but can provide regular contracts. Consider how you will find clients, what they will pay, and whether you want to employ others later.