How to Find Reliable Cleaners for Your Cleaning Business
Where to find experienced independent contractor cleaners, what to post, what to ask in a phone chat, and how to keep great partners for the long run.
In a remote cleaning business, your partner cleaners are the business. They're in your clients' homes, representing your name, every single day. Finding great ones (and keeping them) matters more than any ad you'll ever run.
Here's how I find experienced independent contractor cleaners, what I look for, and how I keep them.
Find your cleaners before your first client
It feels backwards, but line up your partners before you market. When a client books, you want someone ready, not you scrambling (or worse, cleaning it yourself).
And as soon as you can, line up a second partner. One cleaner means one sick day stops your whole business. Two means you can say yes to more clients and you're never the backup.
Set your standards first
Decide what you need before you post, so you're choosing by your standard and not out of panic. Mine:
- At least two years of residential cleaning experience.
- Their own supplies and equipment.
- Reliable transportation. A great cleaner with no reliable ride will cost you clients.
- Their own insurance. More in cleaning business insurance.
- A background check is optional, but it gives me peace of mind.
Don't bring someone on because you're desperate. Bring them on because they meet your standard. You're building a business, not a friendship.
Where to find independent contractor cleaners
| Where | Tip |
|---|---|
| Indeed | Post a clear contractor opportunity with the pay per job |
| Facebook Marketplace and local groups | Many independent cleaners already advertise there |
| Craigslist | Still works in many cities |
| Cleaners who advertise their own services | Reach out; many want more clients without doing the marketing |
| Referrals from your current partners | Good cleaners know good cleaners |
My favorite approach is partnering with cleaners who already have their own small cleaning business and want more clients. They have the experience, they have the supplies, and what they need is clients. What you need is great cleaners. That's a partnership.
What to put in your post
Keep it short and specific:
- What the work is. Residential cleanings in these neighborhoods.
- What they earn. A share of each job's flat price, and when they get paid.
- Who you're looking for. Reliable, communicates well, takes pride in their work, has their own supplies and transportation.
- That it's an independent contractor opportunity. They choose the jobs they take.
- How to apply.
Because these are independent contractors, describe it as a partnership opportunity, not a job with a set schedule. Read 1099 vs W-2 cleaners before you post, because every state has its own rules.
The phone chat: questions that tell you everything
You don't need cleaning experience yourself to spot a great cleaner. Listen for someone who has a system. If they ramble and sound unsure, they probably are.
- "Tell me about the last home you cleaned. What did you do first?"
- "What's the difference between a standard and a deep cleaning, for you?"
- "What would you do if you got to a home and something was already broken?"
- "What would you do if a client wasn't happy?"
- "How do you get to your jobs?"
- "What days are you usually available?"
The broken-item question tells you a lot. You want someone who stays calm, takes a photo, tells you right away and owns it, instead of passing blame.
Then check references. Call at least two.
Bring them on the right way
Before their first job:
- Get a Form W-9.
- Sign an independent contractor agreement. Have a professional review yours.
- Collect proof of their insurance.
- Walk them through how jobs work: how they get offers, the checklist, before and after photos, and how they get paid.
Keep great partners for the long run
Cleaners who feel respected show up. Cleaners who feel used ghost you on a Saturday morning.
- Pay them well. Price your cleanings high enough to pay a fair share. If your prices only work by underpaying cleaners, raise your prices. See how to price house cleaning.
- Pay on time, every time.
- Keep their jobs close together, so they can do two homes in a day without fighting traffic.
- Pass on tips, every cent.
- Say thank you, and reward great reviews.
Busy Book helps with each of these: partners get job offers in the partner app (in English or Spanish), you can let clients tip their partner after the cleaning, give a bonus for every 5-star review, and see every payout in one place.
Common mistakes
- Only one partner. Always have a backup.
- Choosing out of desperation. Stick to your standard.
- Underpaying. It's the fastest way to lose your best people.
- Skipping references. Two calls can save you a bad month.
- No backup plan for cancellations. Know who you'll call before it happens.
Questions people ask
Where can I find cleaners for my cleaning business?
Indeed, Facebook Marketplace, local Facebook groups and Craigslist all work, plus cleaners who already advertise their own services and referrals from your current partners.
How much should I pay my contractor cleaners?
Most remote owners pay a share of each job's flat price as a percentage, set by your market and cost of living. Price your cleanings so that share is a fair, attractive amount for experienced cleaners, and results vary by market.
What should I ask a cleaner before working together?
Ask about their last cleaning and what they did first, how they handle something broken or an unhappy client, how they get to jobs and when they're available. Listen for someone with a system, then check references.
How do I stop cleaners from taking my clients?
Treat partners well, pay fairly and on time, and use a clear written contractor agreement reviewed by a professional. Partners who are happy with a steady flow of good jobs have little reason to leave.
