This article was written by our expert who is surveying the cleaning services industry and constantly updating the business plan for a cleaning company.
Starting a cleaning company in October 2025 means entering a market that is large, growing, and shaped by health standards, labor dynamics, and technology.
The insights below translate industry research into practical guidance for entrepreneurs who need numbers, growth drivers, and operating benchmarks to make decisions.
If you want to dig deeper and learn more, you can download our business plan for a cleaning company. Also, before launching, get all the profit, revenue, and cost breakdowns you need for complete clarity with our cleaning company financial forecast.
The global cleaning services market is approximately $442–$451 billion in 2025, with a 2020–2025 CAGR near 7% and strong momentum in Asia Pacific and North America.
Commercial clients drive most revenue, while green cleaning, specialized disinfection, and tech-enabled offerings lead future growth and pricing power.
| Theme | Key takeaways for a cleaning company | Useful metrics / ranges (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Market size | Large, diversified demand across residential, commercial, and industrial clients. | $442–$451B global market; ~7% CAGR since 2020. |
| Fastest-growing regions | APAC leads growth; North America largest share; LatAm accelerating. | India up to ~9.5% CAGR; China ~7.9% CAGR; NA ~32–45% share. |
| Customer mix | Commercial dominates revenue via recurring contracts and higher ACVs. | Commercial ~60–73% of revenue; industrial high ticket per contract. |
| Segments to watch | Green cleaning, specialized disinfection, bundled facility services. | Green may reach ~30% of revenue “soon” in mature markets. |
| Margins | Improved by route density, upsells, and standardized SOPs. | Residential ~8–15%; Commercial ~10–20%; Specialized up to ~25%. |
| Labor | Retention and scheduling are critical to scale reliably. | Wage pressure present; automation/QA systems offset costs. |
| Regulations | Compliance creates costs but wins B2B RFPs with green/ISO credentials. | Low-VOC, biodegradable, and training mandates common. |
What is the current global size of the cleaning services market, and how did it change over five years?
The global cleaning services market is about $442–$451 billion in 2025, up strongly since 2020.
Growth accelerated after COVID-19 due to stricter hygiene requirements in offices, schools, healthcare, hospitality, and logistics facilities.
From 2020 to 2025, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is roughly 6.9%–7.2%, with steady contract expansion and higher service mix.
Forward-looking estimates indicate sustained expansion as clients lock in recurring service levels and compliance standards remain elevated.
You’ll find detailed market sizing methods and benchmarks in our cleaning company business plan, updated every quarter.
| Year | Estimated global market ($B) | Notes on change drivers |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ~300–320 | Pandemic shock; surge in disinfection; temporary site closures. |
| 2021 | ~325–370 | Reopenings; contracts resume; higher hygiene specs in bids. |
| 2022 | ~380–410 | Return-to-office; education/healthcare volumes stabilize high. |
| 2023 | ~400–424 | Broader economic normalization; growth in tech-enabled services. |
| 2024 | ~424–440 | Green cleaning and bundled facility services expand. |
| 2025 | ~442–451 | Demand remains diversified; pricing supported by quality and compliance. |
| 2032–2035 (proj.) | ~734–881 | Long-run CAGR near ~7%; mix shift to specialized and green services. |
Which regions are growing the fastest, and what drives demand in each?
Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region for cleaning companies, while North America holds the largest share.
Urbanization, construction, and rising middle-class incomes drive APAC; innovation, green standards, and automation lead North America; Latin America benefits from commercial buildout.
Within APAC, India shows growth up to ~9.5% CAGR and China near ~7.9% CAGR due to large-scale urban services demand.
These drivers shape contract terms (frequency, scope) and support premium pricing on compliance-heavy sites.
This is one of the strategies explained in our cleaning company business plan.
| Region | Growth drivers | Growth notes / metrics |
|---|---|---|
| Asia Pacific | Urbanization, new construction, hygiene standards, rising incomes. | Fastest growth; India up to ~9.5% CAGR; China ~7.9% CAGR. |
| North America | Green/automation adoption, large commercial base, facilities outsourcing. | Largest share (~32–45%); robust B2B contract market. |
| Latin America | Retail/office buildout, logistics facilities, urban growth. | Accelerating demand in Brazil/Mexico; sensitivity to macro cycles. |
| Europe | Environmental rules, aging facilities, FM outsourcing. | Stable growth; strong compliance bids favor certified vendors. |
| Middle East | New commercial hubs, hospitality, infrastructure projects. | High-spec sites; opportunity for specialized cleaning teams. |
| Africa | Urbanization pockets, retail/healthcare expansion. | Fragmented markets; local partnerships are key. |
| Oceania | Green standards, public sector outsourcing. | Quality-driven procurement; premium on reliability. |
Who are the main customer segments, and how do their spending patterns differ?
Commercial clients generate most revenue for cleaning companies; residential and industrial add diversity and upsell paths.
Commercial contracts favor recurring schedules, SLAs, and eco-compliance; residential favors flexibility; industrial emphasizes safety and specialization.
Average contract values are higher in commercial and industrial because of scope, frequency, and compliance.
Niche segments such as property managers and elderly households provide steady local demand with targeted offers.
We cover this exact topic in the cleaning company business plan.
| Segment | Buying behavior | Spending pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | RFPs, SLAs, audits, green criteria; multi-site potential. | ~60–73% of revenue; high ACVs; recurring monthly/annual. |
| Residential | Online booking, flexible packages, move-in/out peaks. | Lower ACV per job; frequency matters for LTV. |
| Industrial | Compliance-heavy; trained crews; specialized equipment. | Smaller share; high ticket per engagement. |
| Healthcare/Education | Stringent protocols; traceability; disinfection emphasis. | Premium pricing for certified providers. |
| Property Managers | Portfolio contracts; vacancy turns; inspections. | Predictable volume tied to occupancy cycles. |
| Hospitality/Retail | Brand standards; off-hours service windows. | Variable frequency; seasonal boosts. |
| Public Sector | Tenders, compliance, union rules in some markets. | Stable payments; longer procurement cycles. |
What growth rates are projected for the next five years, and which segments will grow fastest?
The global market is projected to grow around 7.1%–7.4% annually through 2030.
Green cleaning, specialized disinfection, and tech-enabled models are expected to outpace the average due to regulation and ROI visibility.
Facility management bundles (cleaning + waste + HVAC/filters) win larger, stickier contracts with better unit economics.
These trends support cross-sells and pricing tiers that lift margin per route.
Get expert guidance and actionable steps inside our cleaning company business plan.
| Segment | Projected 5-year growth | Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Green/Eco cleaning | Above market; may reach ~30% of revenue in mature areas. | Regulations, client ESG goals, indoor air quality. |
| Disinfection/Specialized | Above market; steady post-pandemic baseline. | Healthcare, education, transit, logistics hubs. |
| Tech-enabled (robots, digital) | Above market; automation penetration rising. | Labor offsets, proof-of-service analytics. |
| Standard commercial | Near market average. | Office reopenings, hybrid schedules. |
| Residential recurring | Near market; strong in urban dual-income areas. | Convenience, online booking, memberships. |
| Industrial specialty | Above market in selected clusters. | Compliance, safety, process continuity. |
| Bundled FM services | Above market with larger ACVs. | One-stop procurement, SLA integration. |
How has health and hygiene awareness (post-COVID) changed demand for specialized cleaning?
Persistent hygiene awareness keeps demand high for disinfection and traceable cleaning in commercial and public sites.
Healthcare, education, transport, and high-traffic retail require auditable protocols and higher frequencies than pre-2020.
Clients now value documented SOPs, product lists (low-VOC, hospital-grade), and proof-of-service reporting as standard.
This baseline supports premium pricing for certified vendors and raises the bar for new entrants.
This is one of the many elements we break down in the cleaning company business plan.
What role do technology, automation, eco solutions, and digital platforms play?
- Automation: Autonomous vacuums/scrubbers and UV devices reduce labor hours per square meter and standardize quality.
- Digital operations: Apps for scheduling, route density, QA checklists, photos, and client portals increase retention and ARPU.
- Proof and analytics: Sensors and IoT counters validate frequency in restrooms, lobbies, and production areas for SLA compliance.
- Chemistry and sustainability: Low-VOC, biodegradable products and dilution control systems cut waste and support ESG goals.
- E-commerce and CRM: Online quoting, instant booking, memberships, and upsells (windows, carpets) increase LTV.
Which companies hold the largest market share, and what sets them apart?
- Large multi-nationals (e.g., ABM Industries, Sodexo, Aramark) win complex, multi-site contracts with bundled facility services.
- Networks and franchises (e.g., ServiceMaster, Jani-King, Chem-Dry, Stanley Steemer, CleanNet) scale via brand, playbooks, and training.
- Leaders differentiate on technology adoption, green certifications, data transparency, and international coverage.
- Top players invest in workforce training and safety to stabilize quality and reduce rework and churn.
- Local champions compete by niche specialization, speed, and stronger service levels in defined geographies.
What are average profit margins across segments, and how do costs affect them?
Margins in cleaning companies depend on route density, crew utilization, and upsell mix.
Residential margins are thinner than commercial, while specialized services command the strongest margins due to skills and certification.
Labor, supplies, equipment finance/maintenance, and compliance investments are the main cost pressures.
Technology and standardized SOPs improve first-time-right rates and reduce callbacks.
It’s a key part of what we outline in the cleaning company business plan.
| Segment | Typical margin (EBIT range) | Cost drivers / improvement levers |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | ~8–15% | Travel time, cancellations; memberships and route density help. |
| Standard Commercial | ~10–20% | SLA scope, night shifts; robotics and QA systems help. |
| Specialized/Disinfection | Up to ~25% | Certification, PPE, training; premium pricing offsets costs. |
| Industrial Specialty | ~15–22% | Safety training, equipment; higher tickets per job. |
| Carpet/Window add-ons | ~12–20% | Upsells during recurring visits; equipment utilization key. |
| Bundled FM | ~12–18% | Cross-service synergies; management overhead. |
| Public sector | ~8–14% | Bid competition; long tenures improve lifetime ROI. |
How are labor shortages, wage growth, and retention shaping scalability?
Labor is the number-one constraint for scaling a cleaning company in most markets.
Wage pressure and high turnover raise onboarding and quality-control costs, affecting margins if not managed.
Winning operators use predictable shifts, faster pay cycles, training ladders, and automation to raise productivity per hour.
Retention improves when crews have clear SOPs, safe products, and mobile tools that reduce friction on site.
You’ll find detailed market insights in our cleaning company business plan, updated every quarter.
Which regulations and environmental policies shape cleaning practices and costs?
Regulations commonly address chemical safety, emissions/low-VOC use, waste disposal, and worker training standards.
Compliance increases costs but unlocks B2B opportunities in healthcare, education, and corporate ESG-driven procurement.
ISO-aligned procedures and eco-labels help win RFPs where proof of sustainability is mandatory.
Vendors that standardize compliant products and documentation reduce audit friction and speed onboarding.
This is one of the strategies explained in our cleaning company business plan.
| Policy area | What it means for a cleaning company | Opportunity / risk |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical use (low-VOC) | Approved product lists; MSDS tracking; dilution control. | Higher supply costs; access to ESG-focused clients. |
| Worker training | Safety, PPE, equipment certificates, incident logs. | Upfront cost; fewer accidents and claims. |
| Waste disposal | Hazard segregation; documentation; vendor partnerships. | Compliance burden; wins in healthcare/industrial. |
| Labor standards | Wages, hours, benefits, union rules where applicable. | Margins pressured; lower turnover with predictability. |
| Indoor air quality | Product selection; HEPA/filters; proof of impact. | Premium pricing with measurable outcomes. |
| Public procurement | Tender rules; reporting; social criteria. | Stable, long-term contracts post-qualification. |
| ISO/ESG reporting | Documented SOPs; audits; KPI dashboards. | Competitive moat in enterprise bids. |
Which service types are gaining the most traction with clients?
Green cleaning, disinfection/sanitization, and specialized facility cleaning are winning more share.
Clients adopt eco-products and certified methods to satisfy ESG and indoor air quality goals while maintaining safety and brand standards.
One-stop, bundled services (cleaning + waste + light maintenance) reduce vendor sprawl and simplify SLAs.
Smart cleaning (sensors, counters, robots) increases proof and responsiveness in high-traffic zones.
Get expert guidance and actionable steps inside our cleaning company business plan.
What are the key risks and challenges to growth, and how are companies addressing them?
- Labor availability and turnover: addressed with better scheduling, training ladders, and automation to lift productivity.
- Price competition: mitigated by specialization, proof-of-service data, and bundled offerings that emphasize value over price.
- Regulatory complexity: handled with standardized compliant products, documentation, and audits ready for enterprise RFPs.
- Cost inflation (wages, supplies): offset by route density, contract indexing, and equipment utilization discipline.
- Client expectations: managed via SLAs, QA checklists, and transparent dashboards to reduce disputes and churn.
Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We accept no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.
If you’re planning a cleaning company, keep learning.
Explore step-by-step planning guides, competitive analysis, budgets, contract strategies, and industry stats tailored to cleaning services.
Sources
- Fortune Business Insights – Cleaning Services Market
- Grand View Research – Cleaning Services Market
- Allied Market Research – Market Update
- Expert Market Research – Cleaning Services
- TechSci Research – ASEAN Cleaning Services
- SBDCNet – Cleaning Services Business Research
- Bizplanr – Cleaning Industry Statistics
- Research Nester – Cleaning Services Market
- Jobber Academy – Cleaning Industry Trends
- Mordor Intelligence – Contract Cleaning Services