Decide what kind of cleaning you would like to do. Basically there are two kinds – commercial and residential. Commercial cleaning has the advantage of being more regular as most offices will require your services on a daily or weekly basis whereas residential cleaning may be more flexible with your schedule.

Keep an eye on public announcements where many government offices post invitations to bid on cleaning contracts and other cleaning vacancies.

Show businesses how you can improve the first impression they make on their customers by maintaining a fresh and clean environment.

As for residential cleaning, introduce yourself in neighborhoods that likely use and will be looking for cleaning services. Keep in mind that this not only includes wealthy areas but older ones or working families may also welcome the idea of paying for a couple extra hands.

Visit real estate offices as they may know of new families in your area that are looking for a new cleaning service.

Don’t forget that your best advertisement isn’t on paper but in how clean you keep your vehicle and your person.

Be willing to provide a variety of services. Employment in the cleaning industry is rarely as simple as dusting and vacuuming. Many clients or employers may want you to wash windows, shampoo carpets, buff and wax floors, some outside maintenance or even do a little laundry. A variety of skills will give you preference and the advantage of being able to charge a little extra.

Maintain a reliable, honest work ethic. If your client is happy they’ll refer their friends.

Once you get started you may be surprised at the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment you can derive from being in the middle of the cleaning industry.

The benefits of starting your own domestic cleaning services business are that you can keep your own schedule, hours and rates.  No longer will you be sent off to clean a dirty house site unseen while the company rakes in the larger profits.  You have the right to refuse a house cleaning job; or if the house will require a lot of heavier cleaning than usual, you can charge more for it.  In other words, you will be compensated as you see fit.

At the beginning, it might be hard starting out to find clients who need house cleaning.  Thankfully, your start up costs is not a lot as you only require cleaning supplies.  In fact, some households would probably prefer you use eco friendly products.  If that is the case, homemade house cleaning recipes involving baking soda and vinegar are just as good and cheap to boot.  Furthermore, in the age of the internet and social networking, it can save you a lot of money in terms of advertising for your house cleaning services.  All you need to do is post on your local job boards giving listing your services, rates and time availability.  Be ready to have references available in case they ask for it.  Perspective clients might be very careful with who to choose for their housekeeper job you have to expect this as they are letting a stranger into their house.   On the other hand, the good news about picky clients is that if both parties are a good match, then you can pretty much expect a long working relationship.  Clients are creatures of habit and once they pick a housekeeper they are comfortable with and trust, they will stick with you.  That is the benefit in getting into the house cleaning business as it is repeat business.

Once you establish a regular client base, you can choose to expand or not.  As stated, clients are creatures of habit and pretty soon you’ll settle into a comfortable routine of cleaning for your regulars.  However, as your reputation of trustworthiness and work ethic gets around, you might find yourself in high demand amongst your clients who recommended you to their friends.  When that time comes, you will require more help to expand your house cleaning business.  If that is the case, you will soon be on your way to becoming an entrepreneur.