Starting a cleaning business can be daunting with the many responsibilities and roles you need to manage. A business plan is key as it outlines objectives, targets, markets, and services. Deciding on the proper business structure, sole proprietorship, partnership, or LLC, is critical when starting a cleaning business as it affects tax and personal liability. Knowing the startup costs, equipment, advertising, insurance, and licenses is crucial for financial planning.

From marketing to finances, every detail counts.

To help you get started, we have compiled a list of the top 10 books every cleaning business owner should read. These books are already bestsellers on Amazon, where you can still order them.

1. “How to Start a Cleaning Business: Your Guide to Generating $2,000+ Income in 30 Days or Less” by Brian James

Author: Brian James

“This guide will propel the launch of your home cleaning service. Designed with the lean solo entrepreneur in mind, I share the top tips and tactics I used to penetrate my local cleaning market. From easy-to-implement web-based services to more traditional methods, I share my favorite low-cost marketing ideas to help you get those elusive first few customers.”

Brief Summary: This book walks you through the steps to starting a cleaning business, including marketing, pricing, and customer service. It also gives you practical advice on setting up your business legally and efficiently, why you should invest in the right cleaning equipment, and why you need the right cleaning supplies for good service delivery.

Why This Book is a Must-Read: Brian James provides practical advice for newbies on how to become profitable fast and build a solid foundation for their business. His straightforward approach makes it easy to follow and implement the strategies in the book.

2. “Start Your Own Cleaning Service: Maid Service, Janitorial Service, Carpet and Upholstery Service, and More” by Jacquelyn Lynn

Author: Jacquelyn Lynn

“A vast majority of dual-income families use cleaning services, creating a huge market for cleaning service startups. Updated with the latest industry and market information, including the impact of technology and new specialty niches, this new edition provides eager entrepreneurs with all the information they need to become a squeaky-clean success.”

Brief Summary: This book covers the basics of cleaning services, from maid services to janitorial and carpet cleaning. It also covers commercial cleaning, the differences between residential and commercial services, house cleaning, and the demand and importance of the business startup process. It also talks about hiring and training staff and daily operations.

Why This Book is a Must-Read: Jacquelyn Lynn’s book is a must-read if you want to explore different niches in the cleaning industry. It gives you practical tips, and with its detailed approach, you’ll be ready for anything in your cleaning company.

3. “Start and Run a Successful Cleaning Business: The Essential Guide to Building a Profitable Company” by Robert Gordon

Author: Robert Gordon

“The cleaning industry is worth billions each year. There is plenty of money to be made, and you don't require any specific qualifications to get started. What you do need is a range of key skills and a personal determination to succeed.”

Brief Summary: Robert Gordon shares his knowledge of operations, marketing, and financial management in the cleaning industry. The book also covers client acquisition and retention strategies for growth. It talks about getting a business license for compliance and building his own cleaning business.

Why This Book is a Must-Read: This book provides in-depth knowledge and strategies for simplifying your operations and increasing profitability. Gordon’s advice is based on years of industry experience, so it’s practical and reliable.

4.“Start and Run a Home Cleaning Business” by Susan Bewsey

Author: Susan Bewsey

“A home cleaning service can start out small, but it has the potential to grow to be a multi-million dollar business with branch offices and franchises. Your business can grow to the point where you need to lease office space, hire staff, purchase a fleet of vehicles, and develop your own products and customized services. ”

Brief Summary: Susan Bewsey gives practical advice on starting a house cleaning business, client management, and service delivery. The book also covers marketing strategies and pricing models for residential cleaning services and thorough cleaning for client satisfaction.

Why This Book is a Must-Read: This book covers everything from startup to customer retention for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the home cleaning market. Bewsey’s approach is comprehensive, so you’ll have all the knowledge you need to succeed in the home cleaning industry.

5. “The DO’s and DON’Ts of Contract Cleaning From One Who DID and DIDN’T” by Richard D. Ollek

Author: Richard D. Ollek

“Whether you are thinking about entering the contract cleaning business, have a young company that may be struggling to get to the next level, or have a mature organization that may need to look at things in a different light, this book is for you.”

Brief Summary: Richard D. Ollek shares his personal experience in the contract cleaning industry, what works and what doesn’t. The book has case studies and practical examples to support the points. It also talks about commercial cleaning as a market. Ollek’s journey in janitorial services is a guide for aspiring business owners.

Why This Book is a Must-Read: This book is candid, with practical lessons and tips from real-life experiences to avoid common mistakes in the contract cleaning business. Ollek shares his successes and failures so new and experienced business owners can learn from him.

Essential Business Books for Cleaning Business Owners

Running a new business requires industry-specific knowledge and business smarts, especially if you own a cleaning business. Knowing what local businesses need is critical to delivering the right services.

These books cover general business principles that apply to any new business and should be on your reading wishlist.

6. “The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It” by Michael E. Gerber

Author: Michael E. Gerber

“E-Myth, the entrepreneurial myth: the myth that most people who start small businesses are entrepreneurs: the fatal assumption that an individual who understands the technical work of a business can successfully run a business that does that technical work.”

Brief Summary: This book debunks the myths about running a small business and gives practical strategies for growth and success. Michael E. Gerber says to succeed long-term, you must work on your business, not in it, to succeed long-term.

Why This Book is a Must-Read: Gerber gives cleaning business owners the foundation to avoid common mistakes and succeed long term. His system and process approach can turn a struggling business into a successful one.

7. “Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine” by Mike Michalowicz

Author: Mike Michalowicz

“Conventional accounting uses the logical (albeit, flawed) formula: Sales - Expenses = Profit. Serial entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz has developed a behavioral approach to accounting to flip the formula: Sales - Profit = Expenses. Michalowicz shows that by taking profit first and apportioning only what remains for expenses, entrepreneurs will transform their businesses from cash-eating monsters to profitable cash cows.”

Brief Summary: Mike Michalowicz introduces a cash management system that prioritizes profit and ensures business growth. The book is a step-by-step guide to implementing the Profit First system in your business.

Why This Book is a Must-Read: Implementing the Profit First system will give cleaning business owners financial stability and profitability. Michalowicz’s approach is practical and easy to follow for business owners at any level.

8. “Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You” by John Warrillow

Author: John Warrillow

company, even“According to John Warrillow, the number one mistake entrepreneurs make is to build a business that relies too heavily on them. Thus, when the time comes to sell, buyers aren't confident that the company—even if it's profitable—can stand on its own.”

Brief Summary: John Warrillow shows you how to build a business that can run independently and is more valuable and sellable. The book has practical advice on creating systems and processes for business continuity.

Why This Book is a Must-Read: This book is for cleaning business owners who want to create a scalable and sellable business. Warrillow’s advice will help business owners create a company attractive to buyers and investors.

9. “Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business” by Gino Wickman

Author: Gino Wickman

“All entrepreneurs and business leaders face similar frustrations – personnel conflict, profit woes, and inadequate growth. Decisions never seem to get made or, once made, fail to be properly implemented. The Entrepreneurial Operating System® is a practical method for achieving the business success you have always envisioned.”

Brief Summary: Gino Wickman introduces the EOS framework, which gives businesses clarity, focus, and growth. The book is a roadmap to implementing EOS in any industry.

Why This Book is a Must-Read: Cleaning business owners can use the structured approach to managing and growing their business. Wickman’s system helps business owners align their teams and achieve their vision.

10. “The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses” by Eric Ries

Author: Eric Ries

"Most startups fail. But many of those failures are preventable. The Lean Startup is a new approach being adopted across the globe, changing the way companies are built and new products are launched."

Brief Summary: Eric Ries explains the Lean Startup methodology, which is rapid experimentation and validated learning to build a successful business. The book says to measure progress and adapt fast to change.

Why This Book is a Must-Read: Commercial cleaning business owners can apply lean principles to become more efficient, reduce waste, and innovate. Ries’s approach helps businesses stay agile and responsive to the market.

Going Beyond Books: Grow Your Business with Aspire

While these books are great for having knowledge and strategies, you need the right tools to put them into practice.

Aspire’s cleaning business software has got you covered. With scheduling, estimating, job costing, and financial management tools, Aspire simplifies operations and automates tasks so you can focus on growth and profit.

It’s Your Turn Now

Now that you have the books to grow your cleaning business, go ahead and implement the strategies and insights from these books, using Aspire’s software to optimize your business.

Book a demo with Aspire today and transform your commercial cleaning services into a thriving enterprise.