19- Cleaning Equipment
Before you book your first client you need the right tools to deliver professional results efficiently. The good news is you probably already own most of what you need and the rest you can purchase.
This chapter shows you how to build your cleaning kit the smart way—starting simple, choosing quality products that work, and organizing everything so you look professional from day one.
What You’ll Learn
- The essential tools and supplies you need to start
- Where to buy professional-grade supplies without overpaying
- Which products to avoid and which deliver real results
- How to stay safe while working with cleaning products
- How to organize your kit for efficiency
Start Simple and Upgrade as You Earn
Walk to your cleaning cupboard right now. That all-purpose cleaner, those microfiber cloths, the mop that works fine—those are your starting assets. You’re already partway there.
One of the biggest mistakes new cleaners make is spending hundreds on equipment before earning a single dollar. They buy industrial-strength everything, only to discover they prefer simpler products they tested at home. Meanwhile, that money could have been profit from their first clients.
Start with what you own. Use it on your first few jobs. Pay attention to what works and what frustrates you. Then upgrade using your earnings based on real experience, not guesswork.
As your client base grows, you’ll naturally invest in better equipment. Your basic mop gets replaced with a professional system. Your consumer cleaner becomes a commercial concentrate. But you’ll make these decisions from experience.
Test Everything in Your Own Home First
Before any product touches a client’s granite countertop or hardwood floor, test it in your own home. This practice protects you from disasters and builds genuine expertise.
Try new products on your own bathroom tiles, kitchen appliances, and windows. Time yourself cleaning with product A versus product B. Notice how much product you use per job. Pay attention to how your hands feel after an hour of work.
Ask yourself:
- Does it clean quickly without residue?
- Can one product replace several others?
- Is the scent pleasant and not overpowering?
- How much do I need per job?
When you tell a client “I use this exact product in my own home,” they trust you. When you know from experience that a product delivers results efficiently, you work with confidence.
The Professional Advantage: Concentrated Products
Walk down any supermarket cleaning aisle and look at the labels. Most products are 90 percent water. You’re paying for water, carrying water, and storing water.
Concentrated cleaning solutions dramatically reduce costs while improving your professional image. You buy concentrated formulas from janitorial suppliers and dilute them yourself in reusable spray bottles.
A single bottle of concentrated cleaner costing $30 might replace fifty $5 retail bottles. Your cost per job drops from dollars to pennies. You control the dilution ratio for different surfaces. And clients see you arriving with professional-grade products, not grocery store brands.
Visit a janitorial supply store and ask about concentrated cleaners. They’ll explain proper dilution ratios and safety procedures. Buy quality spray bottles in different colors to match your color-coded cloth system.
Using concentrates also means carrying less weight between jobs. Your back will thank you after a long day.
The Big “No” — Bleach
Bleach is powerful, but it’s one of the most dangerous products a cleaner can use. It can permanently damage surfaces, discolor fabrics, corrode metal fixtures, and trigger breathing issues in sensitive clients.
Instead:
- Tell clients upfront that you don’t use bleach
- Recommend safer alternatives for disinfection
- Choose professional-grade or eco-certified cleaners that deliver results without the risks
If it smells like a swimming pool, skip it.
Safety Cannot Be Compromised
You’ll work with cleaning products for hours every day, often in enclosed spaces with limited ventilation. Your health is your business.
Essential safety practices:
- Always read product labels completely before using anything new
- Never mix chemicals unless you’re certain it’s safe—mixing bleach with ammonia creates toxic gas
- Wear quality gloves every time—your hands are your livelihood
- Use safety glasses for overhead work or strong chemicals
- Ensure proper ventilation—open windows while you work
- Store all products upright, away from heat and children or pets
Every professional cleaning product comes with a Safety Data Sheet detailing ingredients, hazards, and proper handling. Keep copies for everything you use. If you hire employees, you’re legally required to have these available.
Professional cleaners understand that safety protects your income. You can’t work if you’re injured. Clients trust cleaners who handle products responsibly.
Going Green
Eco-friendly cleaning isn’t just trendy—it’s professional. Clients increasingly expect non-toxic, biodegradable products especially in a home full of kids and pets.
Running this business as a Green business gives you 3 options:
Fully eco-friendly: Use only plant-based, non-toxic cleaners. Market this commitment to attract clients who prioritize health and environment. These clients typically accept slightly higher rates.
Green Focused: Tell your clients that 90% of your products are Green, but you do occasionally use a more appropriate chemical for those tough jobs. But only where necessary.
Traditional with green options: Offer professional-grade products as standard with eco-friendly cleaning as an optional upgrade. This broadens your potential client base.
There’s no universally correct answer. The right choice depends on your values, your target market, and your business goals. Consider starting with Option 2 – use quality professional products that are greener and safer to start but carry those extra products only for those jobs that need a more traditional chemical approach.
Whatever you choose, maintain consistency. Your marketing should match your methods.
Where to Buy Your Supplies
You don’t need a big kit wen starting out. Start small and build up your kit as you learn what works best.
Local sources:
Supermarkets and big box stores (Walmart, Target, Canadian Tire, Tesco): Good for first purchases and testing small quantities
Janitorial supply stores: Your most valuable long-term relationship. Visit in person, introduce yourself, and ask for recommendations. These owners have watched dozens of cleaning businesses launch and offer invaluable expertise
Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam’s Club): Ideal once you have steady clients for buying paper towels, trash bags, cloths, and gloves in bulk
Vacuum repair shops: Excellent advice on which equipment actually holds up under professional use
Online options:
Amazon: Excellent for research. Read the two-star and three-star reviews where people mention real problems. Once you have a product you like, see if you can get it from here.
Speed Cleaning (speedcleaning.com): This company operates The Clean Team, one of California’s most established residential cleaning services. Their website offers starter kits and individual cleaning products based on decades of professional experience. Their product lineup typically includes about five daily-use cleaners and four specialist products for occasional use. This gives you a practical model for building your own kit without buying unnecessary products. Even if you’re located outside the United States, their website provides valuable guidance on what professional cleaners actually need versus what manufacturers try to sell you.
Professional suppliers: Once you’ve found trusted products, order refills from janitorial suppliers for better value
Important: Keep every receipt. Every bottle of cleaner, every pack of cloths, every pair of gloves—all are tax-deductible business expenses.
Your Essential Starter Kit
Here’s your startup list. For some items you might be able to use equipment supplied by the client. Talk it through with the client when you do a walkthrough.
Safety and Personal Protection:
- Quality rubber or nitrile gloves (buy several pairs)
- Indoor work shoes or disposable shoe covers (non-marking, non-slip)
- Safety glasses for overhead work
- Knee pads if you have sensitive knees
Carrying and Organization:
- Professional cleaning caddy or bucket with compartments
- Apron with multiple pockets
- Laundry bag for used cloths
- Small trash bag for cleaning waste
Cloths:
- At least a dozen microfiber cloths in multiple colors for your colour-coded system:
- Yellow for dusting and general surfaces
- Blue for kitchens
- Orange for bathrooms
- Black for floors
- Paper towels (many clients supply these)
- Specialty glass-cleaning cloths (optional)
Dusting and Mopping:
- Extendable duster for high surfaces
- Small handheld duster
- Mop with removable, washable head or Swiffer-style system
- Broom and dustpan
Brushes and Scrubbers:
- Scrub brushes in various sizes (large for tubs, medium for sinks, old toothbrushes for detail work)
- Grout brush
- Toilet brush (use the client’s if available)
- Magic Erasers or melamine sponges
- Pumice stone for tough toilet rings
- Razor scraper with handle for stuck-on gunk
- Stainless steel scrubber for appropriate surfaces
- Squeegee for windows and shower doors
- Small step stool
Cleaning Solutions:
Start with concentrates in three or four formulas rather than twenty different products. Professional cleaning companies that have operated successfully for decades typically use about five daily cleaners and keep four specialist products on hand for occasional use. This approach keeps your kit manageable while ensuring you have what you need.
Your core lineup:
- Quality all-purpose cleaner for most surfaces
- Glass cleaner for streak-free windows and mirrors
- Bathroom cleaner or disinfectant for soap scum
- Floor cleaner appropriate for various surfaces
- Quality spray bottles in different colors matching your cloth system
Add specialty products like stainless steel polish or wood cleaner only as you encounter specific client needs.
Total investment: $200 to $500 if shopping strategically. If you already own items in good condition, your actual investment might be $100 to $250. This often pays for itself within your first couple of clients.
Building Relationships with Local Suppliers
Before you book your first client, invest an hour in research. Search online for janitorial supply stores and vacuum repair shops in your area. Visit two or three in person.
Explain that you’re launching a professional home cleaning service and looking for reliable suppliers and practical advice.
These business owners are always willing to help new businesses. They’ll show you products, explain differences between consumer and professional grades, and often provide better pricing than you’d get shopping online.
These relationships become invaluable as your business grows. Suppliers help you troubleshoot problems, find specialized products, and often extend professional discounts once you’re an established customer.
Presenting Yourself Professionally
Your equipment communicates volumes before you clean a single surface. Imagine two cleaners arriving at a potential client’s door. The first pulls out a worn grocery bag filled with half-empty bottles and mismatched rags. The second carries a neat caddy with color-coded bottles, organized microfiber cloths, and well-maintained tools. Which cleaner would you hire?
Tools don’t need to be expensive, but they must be clean, organized, and professional in appearance. Take pride in your kit. Clean and tidy your tools after every job. Replace worn items promptly. Use clean cloths for every house. Organize your caddy so you can find what you need instantly. Label bottles clearly.
When clients see you working with quality tools, they perceive greater value in your service. That perception justifies higher rates, generates positive reviews, and creates referrals.
Your Growth Plan
Your starter kit is exactly that—a beginning. As you gain experience and build income, upgrade strategically. Let your earnings fund improvements rather than going into debt for equipment you hope you’ll need.
Many established cleaners earning $60,000 to $80,000 annually still use relatively simple kits—they’ve just refined them over time for maximum efficiency. Each upgrade happens strategically, funded by actual earnings, based on genuine need rather than theoretical perfection.
Key Takeaways
- Keep every receipt—all business supplies are tax-deductiblepplies are tax-deductible
- A complete professional starter kit costs $200 to $500 and pays for itself within your first few clients
- Start with what you already own and upgrade strategically as you earn from actual clients
- Test every product in your own home before using it on client surfaces
- Use concentrated cleaning products from janitorial suppliers to reduce costs dramatically
- Skip bleach—it’s risky, outdated, and unnecessary
- Never compromise on safety—wear proper protection and ensure adequate ventilation
- Build relationships with local janitorial suppliers early for better pricing and expert advice
- Choose whether to use your products or the client’s based on what’s standard in your area
- Present yourself professionally through clean, organized, well-maintained equipment