Mobile sofa and mattress cleaning
Visit homes and offices to deep clean sofas, chairs and mattresses, priced per item.
- $1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
6,673 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.3% in a year
NAICS 561740 “Carpet and upholstery cleaning services”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A mobile service that cleans sofas, armchairs, dining chairs and mattresses on site using portable extraction machines, plus stain and odor treatment.
Your first three steps
- Take an upholstery cleaning course or certification and practice on secondhand furniture
- Buy or lease a portable extractor and the right solutions, then set per-item prices after checking local competitors
- Offer discounted first cleans to neighbors and local landlords, and ask for reviews and photos
Who pays
Homeowners, families with kids or pets, renters, landlords, property managers and small offices.
How it makes money
A set price per item or per room, with add-ons such as stain treatment, deodorizing and fabric protection. Repeat and referral customers help fill your week.
Skills that help
- Knowing fabrics and stain types
- Using cleaning machines safely
- Friendly, reliable customer service
- Scheduling and quoting jobs
Watch out for
- General liability insurance, and coverage for damage to customers' furniture
- Whether your city or county requires a business license
- Risk of damaging delicate or non-colorfast fabrics, always read care tags and test first
- Your vehicle and insurance if you carry heavy equipment and water
- Workers' compensation insurance once you hire helpers
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: mobile sofa and mattress cleaning
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mobile upholstery cleaning business?
Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on the extraction machines, supplies and insurance you choose. These are estimates, so compare equipment prices and insurance quotes before you buy.
How much can a mobile sofa and mattress cleaner earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,500, depending on how many jobs you book and your pricing per item. These are estimates, and results vary with how many hours you work each week.
What rules and risks should I check before starting?
Check general liability insurance, including coverage for damage to customers' furniture, and whether your city or county requires a business license. Also review vehicle insurance for heavy equipment, workers' compensation once you hire, and always test delicate fabrics first.
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Photo: pixelmeadow on Pixabay