10 Niche Businesses That Need Cleaning Services in 2024

All buildings and offices need cleaning. Whether you’re just starting a cleaning business, or are already well-established and looking to scale, you can expand your client base with a bit of research.

This article is your guide to sourcing and offering your services to expand your target market. Let’s take a closer look at businesses that need cleaning services.

10 Businesses That Need Cleaning Services

Offering specialized cleaning services for healthcare facilities sets your business apart and opens up doors to new clients. However, it’s important to note that you first need to learn how to clean these facilities.

Agencies such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offer cleaning requirements and recommendations to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of infection. 

In addition to federal guidelines, state and local municipalities may have their own specific regulations and standards.

To clean healthcare facilities properly, it’s important to obtain some or all of the following certifications before marketing your services to ensure you’re following protocol:

• Certification in Infection Prevention (CIP): This certification, offered by organizations such as the Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) and the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association (ISSA), demonstrates a cleaning company’s commitment to infection prevention and control practices specific to healthcare settings.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Training: Compliance with OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard is crucial for cleaning staff working in healthcare facilities to ensure they understand how to properly handle and dispose of biohazardous materials.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulations: Familiarity with EPA regulations regarding the use of disinfectants and sanitizers is important, as these chemicals are heavily used in healthcare settings to prevent the spread of infections.

Cleaning areas of focus:

• Waiting rooms and reception areas
• Patient rooms and treatment areas
• Operating rooms and procedure rooms
• Restrooms and public areas
• High-touch surfaces, like door handles, light switches, and elevator buttons

All schools and universities need to maintain a clean and safe environment for students and staff to reduce the spread of illnesses. Professional cleaning can also extend the lifespan of school facilities and equipment.

If you choose to go this route, work closely with school or university administrators to understand their expectations and any specific requirements they have. Additionally, plan major cleaning activities after school hours or during school breaks to minimize disruption.

You’ll also need to increase the frequency of cleaning and focus on disinfecting high-touch areas during flu outbreaks or other contagious diseases, particularly in elementary schools where kids tend to get sick more often.

Note: Schools may require background checks for staff working on-site, given the close proximity to children.

Cleaning areas of focus:

• Classrooms and lecture halls
• Cafeterias and food service areas
• Libraries and study rooms
• Sports facilities, gyms, and locker rooms
• Restrooms and common areas

When it comes to food safety, there’s no such thing as being too careful with cleanliness. Whether a fast-food establishment, a casual bistro, or a five-star restaurant, all foodservice businesses need to maintain compliance with the health department.

Stay informed about local health department regulations and guidelines for restaurant cleanliness, and keep in mind that you’ll need to stick to specific protocol.

To ensure food safety and to avoid cross-contamination, you’ll need to utilize the right cleaning tools and supplies for different areas. Color-coded cloths and mops, for example, can be used to differentiate cleaning tools for the dining room and for the kitchen. It’s also important to use food-safe disinfectants for surfaces where food is prepared. 

Cleaning areas of focus:

• Kitchen deep cleaning, including grease removal, hood cleaning, and surface sanitation
• Tables and chairs
• Restroom maintenance
• Entryways and outdoor seating areas
• Bar and counter areas

Marketing to the government may seem strange at first, but government offices need cleaning to – they need to portray a professional and responsible image to the public. 

However, before approaching a government agency, familiarize yourself with the government procurement process, which can be complex and competitive. This includes understanding how to bid for contracts and the importance of meeting all specified requirements in the request for proposal (RFP).

If you do go this route, keep in mind that you may need to train your staff on confidentiality and how to properly handle sensitive information they may encounter on the job. 

Also, government buildings may contain data centers or other sensitive areas that require specialized cleaning procedures. If buildings have historical significance, you may need to learn special care and cleaning techniques to preserve their integrity.

Cleaning areas of focus:

• Office spaces and cubicles
• Public waiting areas and lobbies
• Conference and meeting rooms
• Restrooms and cafeteria areas
• Entryways and corridors
• Monuments

Gyms are high-traffic areas where sweat and germs accumulate, making thorough and regular sanitation essential for health and safety.

High-touch areas should be cleaned multiple times throughout the day, and it’s important to establish a schedule that allows for regular disinfection without disrupting gym operations.

You’ll also want to schedule regular deep cleaning sessions during low-traffic times or when the gym is closed to address areas that require more intensive cleaning.

Consider working with gym management to promote good hygiene practices among members, such as wiping down equipment after use and washing hands regularly. Then, encourage the gym to place signs reminding members of hygiene practices and indicate areas that have recently been sanitized.

Cleaning areas of focus:

• Equipment and machine cleaning
• Locker rooms and showers
• Reception and common areas
• Yoga and studio floors
• Air quality improvement (vents and ducts)
• Rubber floors and mats

Clean stores create a welcoming and visually appealing environment, which is crucial for attracting customers, especially to appeal to local foot traffic strolling by. A clean store also reflects positively on a business’s image and commitment to customer care.

It’s important to use caution signs to indicate wet floors so customers don’t slip and ensure that any cleaning activities do not obstruct emergency exits. It’s also crucial to follow specific security protocols required by the store, especially when cleaning after hours.

Cleaning areas of focus:

• Entrances and exits, which accumulate dirt and debris quickly
• Product displays and shelving
• Windows and glass surfaces
• Fitting rooms and mirrors
• Checkout areas and counters
• Restrooms and employee break rooms

A well-maintained and clean dealership, including signage, parking lots, and walkways, provides a more pleasant and professional atmosphere. Dealerships need to maintain a pristine showroom and car lot to boost vehicle presentation and create a positive first impression for potential buyers. 

The showroom floor, often featuring polished concrete, tile, or specialized flooring, should be kept immaculate to reflect the dealership’s professionalism. Regular buffing and polishing are necessary to maintain a high-gloss finish that complements the vehicles on display. 

Vehicles displayed indoors also need to be cleaned and dusted regularly with microfiber clothes to keep them looking their best.

In addition, service area floors require specialized cleaning to remove oil, grease, and other automotive fluids. Using industrial-grade degreasers and proper disposal methods for hazardous materials is essential.

Cleaning areas of focus:

• Showroom floor polishing and cleaning
• Indoor vehicle polishing
• Exterior cleaning and parking lots
• Office and customer waiting areas
• Service and maintenance bays
• Signs and walkways
• Service areas

Large grocery stores have a lot of foot traffic. Hiring a commercial cleaning company can allow regular employees to focus on stocking shelves and providing customer service. 

Additionally, smaller grocery stores may not have enough employees to keep up with regular cleaning, which means they need to find a professional cleaning service to handle it.

Keep in mind that grocery stores present unique challenges due to the combination of food safety concerns and high customer traffic. For example, it’s important to pay special attention to areas where fresh produce, meat, seafood, and bakery items are displayed. These require regular sanitization to prevent cross-contamination and ensure food safety.

Air vents of refrigeration units must also be kept dust-free to maintain optimal performance and prevent overheating.

Cleaning areas of focus:

• Aisles and shelving units
• Carts and basket handles
• Checkout lanes and bagging areas
• Produce and food preparation areas
• Entryways and cart storage
• Restroom and employee areas

While warehouses may not be the first type of business to come to mind, this is a great niche in which to expand your marketing efforts. 

Professional cleaners are equipped to handle the unique challenges of warehouse spaces, such as dust accumulation, floor maintenance, and the cleaning of high surfaces, ensuring the cleanliness and integrity of whatever items are kept there. This may require using high-reach dusting tools to reach these areas.

Keeping warehouses clean also prevents fungus and mold from forming and prevents shipments from damage.

Cleaning areas of focus:

• Floor maintenance
• Dust and debris removal from shelves
• Loading docks and receiving areas
• Office and break areas within the warehouse
• High surfaces and equipment cleaning

Banks need to maintain a pristine and professional appearance to indicate financial responsibility. Regular professional cleaning can prolong the lifespan of a bank’s interior, furnishings, and ATMs, and reflect positively on its image and commitment to high standards.

Banks often feature a mix of flooring types that require specific cleaning methods—carpeted areas need vacuuming and occasional deep cleaning, while hard floors require mopping and buffing to maintain a polished look.

Confidentiality and security are two other important components to keep in mind if your company cleans banks. While direct cleaning of vaults and safe deposit areas may be limited or handled by bank staff due to security protocols, ensure your team is aware of and respects the boundaries and security measures in place.

Staff should also be trained on the importance of confidentiality and instructed not to disturb paperwork or electronic devices. Background checks and security clearances may be required.

Areas of focus:

• Lobby and customer service areas
• Teller stations and ATMs
• Office and meeting room maintenance
• Restrooms and staff areas
• Exterior windows and facades

Expand Your Client Base With Ease

There are many companies looking for cleaning services, and these 10 niche industries are just a few more to consider. With the right marketing strategy to promote your cleaning business and a professional team in place, your cleaning business can continue to grow and become the best cleaning company in town.

If you’re looking for tips on how to train and hire the best qualified cleaning crew, check out our article on 10 expert tips to train cleaning staff.