How One Maria Built a Thriving Solo Cleaning Business

My name is Maria, and I run a solo home cleaning service. I’ve been in the cleaning industry for about five years, and I started my own business three years ago. I handle everything myself—from scheduling and cleaning to customer service and marketing. My focus is on providing thorough, detail-oriented cleaning for homes, whether it's a one-time deep clean, regular maintenance, or move-in/move-out services.

Since it’s just me, I can really personalize my services to fit each client's needs. I take pride in my work and enjoy helping people maintain a clean, comfortable space without the stress of having to do it themselves. Many of my clients are busy professionals, families, or elderly individuals who appreciate having someone reliable and trustworthy to take care of their home.

I’ve always enjoyed cleaning and organizing—it’s something that gives me a sense of accomplishment. But what really inspired me to turn it into a business was seeing how much people struggle to keep up with cleaning, especially those with hectic schedules. I used to work as a cleaner for a larger company, and I noticed that clients often wanted a more personalized experience, which can be hard to get from a big service.

That’s when I decided to go solo. I wanted to build relationships with my clients and provide a service where they know exactly who is coming into their home each time. It’s rewarding to see the relief on people’s faces when they walk into a spotless home without having to lift a finger.

When a client is happy with my work and keeps coming back, that’s success. Many of my clients refer me to their friends and family, which tells me I’m doing something right. Building strong relationships and a solid reputation in my community means more to me than just growing for the sake of growth.

Of course, financial stability is important too. Being able to make a living doing something I enjoy, while having the flexibility to set my own hours, is a huge win. I measure success by the balance I’ve created between my work and personal life, as well as by the positive impact I have on my clients' lives.

If I could start over, I would invest in better marketing earlier on. When I first began, I relied mostly on word-of-mouth, which worked, but it took time to build momentum. Now I see how useful social media and online listings are for reaching new clients. Having an online presence with good reviews can make a huge difference in attracting steady business.

I’d also set up better business systems right from the start—things like scheduling software, proper invoicing, and more structured pricing. In the beginning, I was figuring everything out as I went, but having a smoother process in place would have saved me a lot of time and stress.

My biggest advice is to be consistent and reliable. Clients value trustworthiness more than anything, especially when you’re working in their homes. If you say you’ll be there at a certain time, be there. If you promise a level of quality, deliver on it every single time. Your reputation is everything in this business.

Also, don’t undervalue your work. A lot of people start out charging too little because they think it will attract more clients, but that can lead to burnout. Know your worth, price your services fairly, and focus on delivering quality—happy clients will always be willing to pay for good service.

My income varies depending on how many clients I take on, but on average, I make between $3,000 and $5,000 per month. Some months are busier, especially around the holidays or during spring cleaning season, while others are a bit slower.

Because I don’t have employees, my expenses are relatively low—mostly just cleaning supplies, transportation, and marketing costs. Over time, I’ve built a steady base of regular clients, which gives me a reliable income. If I wanted to scale up and take on more work, I could potentially earn more, but right now, I’m happy with the balance I’ve created between work and personal life.