How to Begin a Cleaning Business Without a Car, a Logo, or a Trust Fund
I didn’t start this business with a van, branded shirts, and a $400 vacuum. I started with:
An electric scooter
A backpack
A vacuum with more tape and silicone gasket maker than pride
And a bus pass that doubled as a spiritual test of patience.
I wasn’t trying to fake success. But I also wasn’t about to tell every client:
“I’m broke and will cry in your bathroom if this job doesn’t go well.”
Because here’s the truth most of those “I made 6 figures in my first year” blogs won’t say: You don’t have to tell your clients everything. You’re not a fraud for being resourceful. You’re not being s fraud for refraining common misconceptions or beliefs. You are trying to survive and provide a valuable and empathetic service to people who are struggling.
What You Actually Need to Get Started
Here’s the real “starter kit” for broke but determined cleaners:
Bare Minimum Toolkit
Basic all-purpose cleaner (Zep, LA’s Awesome, or something that is all purpose). I’m going to be honest. I don’t buy dollar tree often for important things-bath products or cleaning. But I do have an obsession with reading labels and ingredients.
La’s awesome (the yellow one specifically) actually works AMAZING on even commercial grease hooks.
The scrub free oven also works well but you have to let it soak (and remain wet which sometimes means reapplying) for at least 15-30 minutes. It leaves a white residue on some surfaces so follow it up with dawn dish soap (Platinum if you can afford it. It really doesn’t even compare to the other dish soaps and Platinum specifically has heavy duty concentrated degreasers). If you can’t afford that yet, try to get Palmolive if possible, the oxy or green one. The others aren’t the same.
For all purpose, buy the fine mist gain and then when it runs out, buy the Mr. Clean or similar concentrated and dilute as recommended on the label. Saves a lot. That $5 bottle of concentrated will make a LOT of refills. It smells great and works well
Microfiber cloths. I’m kind of picky with these and the automotive ones at Walmart (Usually $10-$15 for 30-50) are the best. Softest and as long as you washed thoroughly will last a decent amount of time. Always make sure to show up with new looking rags. I pressure spray mine to rinse out absolutely all residue. I also color code them so only orange ever touches oil, blue with yellow or green trim-bathroom, yelliw-kitchen, solid blue soft-windows/alcohol only, Etc.
Scrub brushes or a magic eraser clone – $3–$5 Temu or dollar tree ones work fine. Make sure to pay attention to nonscratch or heavy duty. Ideally get both but never use heavy duty on stainless steel.
Gloves + mask – $5
Trash bags, sponges, scraper blade – $10
Optional but helpful: A small folding caddy or tote to keep everything together. I shopped ar goodwill and on offerup and Facebook market place for mine. Temu also had wagons on sale for $15.
Total: $40–$60 if you shop some second hand and dollar store. And if you clean a few homes with it? It starts paying for itself fast. If you want a vacuum, shop Facebook marketplace and offer up and goodwill.
What You Don’t Need Yet
A car
A business license (depending on your state/city. Where I live-Las Vegas, they want a business license for everything)
A logo (can obtain for free anyways)
Uniforms (wear clean solid color, no words clothes. Trust me when I say some people will argue about anything).
A full set of commercial-grade tools
A $300 vacuum you can’t carry on a scooter anyway
How to Sound Professional Without Owning Expensive Gear
If you don’t have a vacuum? Say this:
“Due to post-COVID hygiene standards, I prefer to use the client’s vacuum to avoid spreading bacteria and allergens between homes. Most filters can’t be fully disinfected.”
Boom. You sound like you’re doing them a favor. Because you are.
If you don’t have a car? Don’t advertise it. But don’t apologize for it either.Just make sure:
You schedule with travel time in mind
You pack light (I used a tube vacuum and electric mop that fit in my backpack)
You focus on local, accessible clients
You only book what you can physically handle (don’t say yes to a mansion 9 miles away uphill)
Bonus Tools That Save You Time (If You Can Afford Them Later)
If you land a few clients and want to reinvest—here’s where your money saves time:
Electric spin scrubber ($30–$60) – saves your back on tubs, grout, baseboards. Try to get one with a bigger battery than 3000 if possible and higher rpms than 500. Most suck at only 280 rpms and they slow down much faster.
Tube-style vacuum ($60–$100) – lightweight and portable. I found a discontinued Deik vacuum that I had to rebuild the battery pack for.
Concentrated cleaners in labeled squeeze bottles – carry less, clean faster
Laundry bag cart with wheels ($20) – mobile caddy if you’re on foot or bus
Portable steamer (optional) – for kitchens/bathrooms, adds “wow” factor. I found mine at goodwill and later upgraded the heating element.
What Matters More Than Gear: How You Make People Feel
No client has ever said:
“Wow, I only trust cleaners with branded uniforms and company vans.”
But I’ve had clients say:
“You were the only one who responded.”
“You didn’t make me feel embarrassed.”
“You showed up when no one else did.”
That’s what builds a business.
You’re Not a Fraud. You’re resourceful and driven.
People will try to make you feel like you’re cheating by starting “too small.” Like you don’t deserve to charge $30/hour if you don’t have a car. Or don’t have a license yet. Or don’t own a company-branded floor buffer.
Ignore them.
You are allowed to survive first. You are allowed to build it backwards. You are allowed to start anyway.
And if anyone tells you otherwise? They can clean their own toilet since it’s “not a lot of work.”
Tell them you’ll be unavailable due to a recurring case of “I built something from nothing while they were busy judging.”
—Erin Scooter cleaner. Backpack boss. Still not sorry.