The commercial cleaning industry is growing fast, but so is the competition.

Cleaning business owners face ongoing challenges, from labor shortages and high turnover to rising operational costs and client retention issues.

These problems can slow growth, impact service quality, and reduce profitability. This guide outlines the top challenges commercial cleaning businesses face today and offers practical solutions.

Learn how to improve operations, retain clients, and stay ahead in a changing market.

Challenge #1: High competition in the industry

The commercial cleaning industry is oversaturated, with thousands of cleaning service providers vying for the same cleaning contracts. 

Low barriers to entry mean that new professional cleaning services can emerge at any time, putting pressure on established providers. Many clients choose vendors based on price alone, driving down margins and triggering price wars. 

→ Even established cleaning companies are forced to lower prices or lose out. 

In a crowded market, differentiation is key to long-term success. Standing out requires more than standard cleaning services—it demands a clear value proposition. Commercial cleaning businesses must go beyond price to win and retain business.

Solution: Fight price pressure by specializing. Offer niche or high-demand cleaning solutions like:

• Green cleaning

• Disinfection 

• Industrial cleaning

Move away from regular cleaning services like office cleaning and carpet cleaning. 

Build a strong brand presence and showcase your expertise with client testimonials, cleaning tips, and case studies. Prioritize customer satisfaction and performance tracking to improve service quality and retain clients through results, not price alone. 

Learn more in our guide to why commercial cleaning businesses fail.

Challenge #2: Labor shortages and high turnover

Labor shortages continue to plague the commercial cleaning industry, making it hard for cleaning companies to recruit and retain reliable staff. 

Many workers view janitorial jobs as temporary or low-skilled, leading to low engagement and high attrition. 

Constant turnover increases hiring, onboarding, and training costs. Understaffed teams struggle to meet cleaning schedules and service level agreements, resulting in customer dissatisfaction. Inconsistent staffing affects the delivery of high-quality cleaning services. 

This cycle pressures commercial cleaning businesses to find new ways to attract and retain employees. Without addressing workforce instability, growth is hard to sustain.

Solution: Retain team members by offering competitive pay and performance-based bonuses. Create a great work environment with:

• Clear communication

• Recognition programs 

• Team-building initiatives

Invest in onboarding and training programs that upskill workers and reinforce your company’s standards. Provide defined career paths for cleaning staff to grow within the business. Read our guide on how Aspire supports workforce management to maintain a consistent, motivated team.

Challenge #3: Rising operational costs

Costs affect every aspect of running a service company, from supplies and cleaning equipment to insurance and wages. Many cleaning companies struggle to be profitable while delivering high-quality service. 

→ Manual processes and inefficient scheduling mean wasted time, fuel, and materials. 

Without the right systems in place, costs quickly outstrip revenue. The pressure to cut costs can compromise:

• Service quality

• Employee retention 

• Employee satisfaction

Long-term profitability requires smarter business practices.

Solution: Track spending and improve cleaning supply management to reduce waste. 

Invest in energy-efficient tools and machines that lower utility and maintenance costs. Use software like Aspire’s cleaning business platform to automate cleaning schedules, route planning, and job tracking. 

Analyze performance metrics to find and fix cost leaks across operations. Smart automation and financial insight mean commercial cleaning services can do more with less.

Challenge #4: Scheduling and workforce management issues

Many commercial cleaning companies struggle to manage large teams across multiple sites. 

• Manual cleaning tasks and unclear task assignments lead to confusion, missed appointments, and inconsistent service. 

• Managers can’t track employee performance or make timely adjustments without real-time visibility. 

• Unbalanced workloads and last-minute changes disrupt productivity and service quality. 

These inefficiencies also contribute to staff burnout and higher turnover rates, compounding the problem.

Solution: Automate scheduling with tools like Aspire’s cleaning business software to reduce manual coordination and human error. Assign jobs for optimal routing, based on:

• Location

• Availability 

• Skill set 

Use GPS and time tracking to monitor cleaning staff on site, then adjust real-time schedules to handle call-outs or client requests without disruption. 

Tailor services to each facility's unique needs to achieve a higher level of cleanliness and a welcoming environment. A smarter system means consistency, accountability, and customer satisfaction.

Challenge #5: Client retention and customer expectations

Retaining clients in the commercial cleaning industry takes more than just turning up—it demands consistent performance and trust. Many cleaning service providers lose clients due to:

• Poor communication

• Missed appointments

• Subpar results

As customer expectations rise, businesses must deliver reliable, high-quality service on every visit. 

Clients want transparency, fast issue resolution, and unmistakable evidence that their cleaning needs are being met. Cleaning companies risk churn and damaged reputations without systems to track service delivery and client feedback.

Solution: Use cleaning business software like Aspire to implement standard operating procedures across all locations. Automate quality control checks and use digital checklists to ensure consistency. 

Provide real-time updates and service reports to clients. Offer flexible cleaning plans for different commercial spaces. Collect feedback regularly to resolve issues early and build long-term loyalty. Engaging with customers through great service and communication is key to meeting their expectations and satisfaction.

Challenge #6: Compliance and industry regulations

Running a commercial cleaning business involves strict compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. 

Cleaning companies must manage a complex regulatory landscape, including OSHA safety standards, EPA chemical usage rules, wage laws, and environmental guidelines. 

Failure to follow these regulations can mean:

✕ Fines

✕ Contract loss

✕ Legal action

The cleaning industry is also pressured to adopt eco-friendly practices, especially in healthcare or educational facilities. Businesses without strong compliance systems risk reputational damage and operational setbacks.

Solution: Use cleaning business software like Aspire to centralize and automate compliance documentation. Train your team regularly on health and safety procedures and maintain updated records of certifications. 

Digitally log chemical usage, employee hours, and inspection reports to support audits. Monitor regulatory changes in your state to avoid accidental violations. 

Align internal protocols with industry standards such as ISSA CIMS or OSHA to ensure continuous compliance. Providing employees a clean, safe environment is key to meeting regulatory requirements and enhancing workplace safety and comfort.

How Aspire helps overcome these challenges

Aspire’s cleaning business software has the tools commercial cleaning companies need to operate more efficiently, meet client expectations, and stay compliant. Aspire automates and streamlines daily operations, from scheduling to invoicing, so business owners can grow confidently. 

By consolidating key tasks into one platform, Aspire allows commercial cleaning companies to focus on service quality and profitability. 

• Automated scheduling: Aspire reduces missed appointments and double bookings through smart scheduling tools. To increase field efficiency, jobs are dispatched based on employee availability, location, and role. 

Cleaner locations are tracked in real time to stay responsive and improve route planning.

• Inventory and cost tracking: Monitor cleaning product usage and prevent stock shortages.

Automate alerts when stock runs low and track costs by job or location. Gain visibility into expenses to control margins and reduce waste.

• Client communication and quality assurance: Send automated service updates and job confirmations to build trust.

Use mobile checklists and real-time feedback tools to ensure service quality, track issues and resolutions to improve customer satisfaction and client retention.

• Integrated invoicing and payment processing: Eliminate manual billing errors and delays with automated invoicing. 

Accept digital payments and set up recurring billing for regular clients. Improve cash flow while maintaining accurate financial records.

Explore how Aspire’s technology supports long-term success for your commercial cleaning business.

It’s your turn now

Being a commercial cleaning business owner has challenges—from staffing and scheduling to compliance and rising costs. Whether refining your cleaning schedules or improving customer satisfaction, success comes from using the right tools and strategies.

Learn more about growing your cleaning business or explore cleaning industry software features tailored to providers like you.

Book a free demo to see how Aspire can help your commercial cleaning business operate more efficiently and confidently maintain a clean commercial property.