Running a cleaning business without clear checklists makes it easy to miss tasks, confuse customers, and underprice your services. Over time, this leads to complaints, rework, and slower growth.
A good cleaning services checklist helps you keep jobs consistent, train your team, schedule tasks easily, set fair yet competitive prices, and increase profits.
Below, I share 9 sample cleaning checklists for standard and specialty service categories. They’ll help you understand the types of cleaning services your company might offer and the essential tasks involved in a typical job. You can use and tweak these lists to fit your business model and customers’ needs.
Key Takeaways
- A cleaning services checklist provides a clear start and finish for every job. It helps customers know exactly what they’re paying for, which builds trust and encourages repeat business.
- Knowing the full scope of in-demand cleaning services (and their related tasks) allows you to formalize your offerings, expand strategically, and price jobs or packages more effectively.
- Tiered service packages make it easy for customers to choose an option that fits their budget, while helping you guide them toward premium services without sounding pushy.
1. General Professional Cleaning Services Checklist
This general professional cleaning checklist is designed for new and growing cleaning businesses. It covers the essential tasks that keep homes, offices, and small commercial spaces clean, fresh, and ready for everyday use.
You can use the checklist to add structure and consistency to your jobs without overwhelming your staff or overcomplicating your services (especially when you’re just starting your cleaning business).
Did You Know?
Top cleaning companies use customizable digital checklists in tools like Connecteam to track tasks in real time and make sure nothing gets missed.
Professional cleaning visit checklist
All rooms
Declutter, dust, and wipe all accessible surfaces.
Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors.
Remove trash/recycling and replace bin liners.
Clean interior windows and mirrors.
Spot-clean doors, walls, and handles.
Wipe down baseboards and light fixtures/switches.
Straighten blinds and drapes.
Neatly arrange furniture and decor.
Kitchen
Wipe down cabinets, refrigerator, and stovetop.
Clean the interior and exterior of the microwave.
Wash dishes in the sink or place them in the dishwasher.
Scrub sink basin, faucets, and handles.
Empty and clean coffee makers.
Polish stainless steel surfaces or appliances.
Store all dishes, cutlery, and glassware.
Bathroom
Clean and disinfect toilets, showers, and tubs.
Wipe down sink basins, faucets, and drains.
Restock toilet paper and paper towels.
Refill soap dispensers.
Sanitize backsplash and tiles.
Deodorize with a spray or neutralizer.
Offices/workspaces
Clean and disinfect monitors, mice, and keyboards.
Wipe down desks, phones, and chairs.
Spot clean partitions and cubicles.
Restock wipes, hand sanitizers, and tissues.
Clean remotes and whiteboards.
Typical pricing
Companies usually charge by the hour per cleaner or per visit for these services. In the US, general professional cleaning typically costs $20–$50 per hour per cleaner or $125–$225 per visit, depending on the size of the space, the location, and how detailed the job is.
Pro Tip
Want to make billing less of a headache? Check out Connecteam’s invoice template for cleaning services.
2. House Cleaning Services Checklist
This template is for residential cleaning businesses and covers the main tasks cleaners handle during home and apartment visits. I’ve added a few extra tasks that you can offer clients, too.
House cleaning visit checklist
All living areas
Vacuum and mop all rooms.
Dust baseboards, window sills, and ceiling fans.
Empty garbage/recycling bins and replace garbage bags.
Clean mirrors and glass surfaces.
Spot-scrub doors, walls, handles, and hardware.
Declutter all surfaces.
Straighten furniture, decor, and picture frames.
Check and clean corners for cobwebs.
Living rooms
Vacuum upholstered furniture and under couch cushions.
Fold blankets and fluff throw pillows.
Wipe down coffee tables and straighten magazines.
Clean and straighten electronics, including remotes and TV sets.
Bedrooms
Make beds.
Change linens upon request.
Vacuum under all furniture.
Dust and wipe nightstands, wardrobes, and dressers.
Declutter closets (if customer authorizes).
Kitchen
Clean oven, stovetop, and range hood.
Rinse and clean sink, faucets, and drains.
Degrease and spot-scrub surfaces.
Wipe down all appliances and cabinets.
Wash and put away all dishes.
Bathroom
Rinse and scrub the bathtub.
Polish the showerhead.
Clean sinks, faucets, and drains.
Clean shower curtains (if requested).
Typical pricing
House cleaning packages are typically sold as recurring visits, such as weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Homeowners usually pay $150–$400 per visit, depending on the size of the space and how detailed the cleaning is.
3. Commercial Cleaning Services Checklist
Commercial cleaning works differently from residential cleaning. Homes are personal spaces, but offices, stores, and other buildings have stricter standards and more space to manage. You’ll often need to stick to tighter schedules, too.
I built this office cleaning checklist with those demands in mind so you can stay organized, efficient, and confident on every job.
Office cleaning services checklist
All areas
Vacuum rugs, mats, and runners.
Sweep and mop hard floors.
Wash windows, mirrors, and glass partitions.
Disinfect all high-touch areas.
Dust and wipe shelves and baseboards.
Spot-clean walls and doors.
Clear corners of cobwebs.
Empty trash bins and replace liners.
Straighten decor, furniture, and blinds.
Offices and workstations
Wipe down computers, phones, and keyboards.
Dust and spot-clean desk, cubicles, and partitions.
Sanitize and straighten chairs.
Restock tissues and disinfectant wipes.
Conference rooms
Wipe down tables.
Clean remotes and whiteboards.
Organize phones, projectors, and other equipment.
Sanitize and straighten chairs.
Kitchen and break rooms
Clean tables, chairs, stovetops, and countertops.
Wipe down refrigerators and appliances.
Scrub sink basins, faucets, and drains.
Empty and clean coffee makers.
Wash dishes and empty dishwashers.
Clean the interior and exterior of any microwaves.
Tidy pantry and cabinets.
Remove expired food from refrigerators and cabinets.
Restock paper towels, sponges, soap, and detergent.
Restrooms
Clean and disinfect toilets and urinals.
Rinse and scrub sink basins, drains, and faucets.
Wipe down hand dryers and backsplashes.
Clean countertops.
Refill soap, toilet paper, and towel dispensers.
Final walkthrough
Check that signage and safety items are in place.
Report any maintenance issues.
Log supply needs.
Shut all lights if authorized.
Lock doors and set alarms (if customer authorizes).
Typical pricing
Commercial jobs are typically priced by size and scope, not by the hour. Most US companies charge around $0.10–$0.50 per square foot, or roughly $500–$1,000 per month for small offices. Larger buildings and specialized facilities can cost much more to clean.
This Might Interest You
If you don’t yet offer these services but want to, Connecteam has some resources to help. Begin with our guide on starting a commercial cleaning company, then learn the expert approach to getting leads for a cleaning business.
4. Deep Cleaning Services Checklist
Deep cleaning targets the areas most people skip: behind appliances, inside cabinets, in vent grills, and deep in grout lines.
These jobs require more time, extra cleaning supplies and tools, specialized products, and typically more than 1 cleaner.
Did You Know?
A solid cleaning marketing plan often highlights a company’s deep cleans since they’re an excellent way to win clients who want their space to feel brand-new.
This deep cleaning checklist will give you an idea of the tasks your team might handle during these intensive sessions. You can easily customize it to fit alongside your regular residential or commercial cleaning checklist.
Deep clean checklist for cleaning services
Interiors
Shampoo or steam-clean carpet or upholstery.
Clean all vents and replace air filters.
Polish wood, chrome, or steel surfaces and hardware.
Empty lint traps and clean washers/dryers.
Scrub blinds and steam-clean or launder curtains.
Clean out and organize closets.
Organize sheds and garages.
Scrub and disinfect trash bins.
Exteriors
Clean gutters and drains.
Wash window screens, frames, and panes.
Sweep and wash patio floors.
Pressure-clean driveways and sidewalks.
Wipe down all doors, frames, windows, and garages.
Kitchen
Degrease oven, stove grates, hoods, and fans.
Empty, clean out, wipe, and restock/cabinets.
Empty, clean out, wipe, and restock refrigerators.
Pull out and clean behind all appliances.
Scrub and clean the interior and exterior of dishwashers.
Bathroom.
Scrub tile grout, walls, and baseboards.
Descale showerheads and faucets.
Polish all hardware.
Wash rugs, mats, and shower curtains.
Typical pricing
Deep cleaning is a premium service because it takes more time, effort, and supplies than regular cleaning. It’s usually priced 2–3 times as much as a standard clean.
5. Short-Term Rental Cleaning Services Checklist
Short-term rental cleaning involves thorough turnovers between guests for spaces like vacation homes and Airbnb properties. Most clients are independent hosts or property owners who rely on local cleaners to keep their rentals spotless and guest-ready.
Turnaround times are often same-day, so your team needs to work quickly without missing any details. But don’t worry: The short-term rental cleaning checklist I created will help you cover every task and keep both your customers and their guests happy.
Short-term rental clean checklist
All areas
Check for damaged or missing items.
Ensure Wi-Fi, lights, and thermostats work.
Vacuum carpets and mop floors.
Dust all accessible surfaces.
Wipe light switches, door handles, and high-touch surfaces.
Wipe mirrors and glass surfaces.
Clean and launder all linens and towels.
Spot-clean walls, baseboards, and doors.
Empty and disinfect trash bins and replace liners.
Close curtains and blinds.
Declutter and straighten all furniture and decor.
Living rooms and common spaces
Remove and change any linens.
Dust or wipe down lamps, shelves, and nightstands.
Vacuum or lint-roll upholstery.
Ensure TV and remotes are working.
Disinfect and straighten electronics.
Fluff throw pillows and fold blankets.
Bedrooms
Remove and change all linens.
Make the bed to hotel standards.
Check under the bed and inside drawers for forgotten items.
Dust or wipe down lamps, shelves, and nightstands.
Tidy closets, dressers, and wardrobes.
Kitchens
Dispose of any leftover or expired food.
Clean inside and outside of refrigerators.
Clean inside and outside of microwaves.
Wipe down countertops, stovetops, and backsplashes.
Wipe down tables and chairs.
Pull out and clean all appliances.
Restock coffee, water, and other amenities.
Bathrooms
Clean and disinfect toilets.
Rinse and scrub sink basins, faucets, and drains.
Wipe down showerheads and rinse tubs.
Restock toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels.
Replace soaps, shampoos, and other amenities.
Stock and put out fresh towels.
Final walkthrough
Stage property for the next guest.
Take photos if authorized and required by hosts.
Turn off all lights unless otherwise directed.
Lock doors and set any alarms.
Did You Know?
Adding photos of clean, well-staged spaces to your cleaning business website can help attract property owners seeking dependable, detail-oriented cleaners.
Typical pricing
Prices for short-term rental cleaning generally range from $75–$350 per visit, depending on the property’s size and location.
Other Cleaning Services Checklists
Branching into specialty services is a great way to ensure you run a successful cleaning business. It can help you boost your profits, stand out from your competition, and offer more value to your customers.
Below are 4 add-on services you can consider.
Post-construction/builders’ cleaning
After renovation or building work, clients need cleaning companies to remove dust, clear up debris, remove leftover materials, and refinish surfaces before move-in. This type of cleaning requires extra time and equipment built for tougher, dust-heavy environments.
Checklist
Remove construction dust and debris from all surfaces.
Vacuum and mop all floors, including corners and baseboards.
Wipe down windows, frames, and ledges.
Clean light fixtures, vents, and ceiling fans.
Wash walls, doors, and skirting boards.
Polish fixtures and appliances for move-in readiness.
Typical pricing
Post-construction/builders’ cleaning is usually charged by square footage. US companies charge roughly $0.10–$0.50 per square foot (about $273–$708 per home), depending on the property’s size and the amount of work involved.
Green/eco-friendly cleaning
Green cleaning focuses on using non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning products and sustainable cleaning methods.
It’s one of the biggest trends in the cleaning industry right now, and it makes sense why. Eco-friendly cleaning is fantastic for attracting customers who value sustainability and health, and building a reputation as a business that reduces waste and cares about the environment.
Checklist
Use certified biodegradable, non-toxic, and cruelty-free cleaning agents.
Replace disposable wipes with reusable microfiber cloths and mop heads.
Avoid synthetic air fresheners; use essential oils or scent-free alternatives.
Implement low-water, low-energy cleaning methods.
Offer optional recycling or compost-sorting add-ons.
Typical pricing
In the US, residential green cleaning costs roughly $33–$50 per hour. But that higher rate isn’t necessarily due to more expensive products. According to the North American Green Purchasing Initiative (NAGPI), most eco-friendly cleaning supplies “do not cost any more” than traditional ones.
Instead, the difference is probably due to a “sustainability premium.” PwC research found that customers are willing to spend nearly 10% more “on sustainably produced or sourced goods.” That attitude often carries over to sustainable services, too.
Exterior cleaning
Exterior cleaning can involve a range of tasks: pressure-washing driveways and patios, scrubbing roofs, clearing gutters, cleaning exterior walls and windows, and washing outdoor furniture.
These jobs require special tools (including pressure or power washers and ladder-safe gear) and products (like unique soaps for roofs and walls) but they can be the perfect complement to your indoor cleaning services.
Checklist
Pressure-wash driveways, decks, patios, and walkways.
Clean gutters, downspouts, and exterior drains.
Wash exterior windows, doors, and siding.
Wipe and sanitize outdoor furniture.
Power-wash walls and facades to remove dirt, dust, stains, or mildew.
Typical pricing
According to HomeGuide, US cleaning companies generally charge $170–$310 to power-wash a home’s exterior, and about $0.35–$0.77 per square foot to pressure-wash surfaces like decks and driveways.
Once you factor in other tasks, a full exterior cleaning can range from $225–$600+, depending on the property’s size and condition.
Post-event cleaning
Event cleaning jobs focus on removing trash, cleaning surfaces, and tidying up after weddings, parties, or community gatherings. They’re fast-paced, always in demand, and perfect to make extra cash on weekends and during off-peak hours.
Checklist
Collect and dispose of trash and recyclables.
Wipe down tables, chairs, and surfaces.
Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors.
Clean restrooms and restock supplies.
Reset furniture and decor to the original layout.
Typical pricing
Event cleaning prices can vary widely depending on the event type, space size, and scope of work. Companies may charge per square foot, per hour per cleaner, or per job.
According to Smart Janitorial, prices range from $40–$100 per hour per cleaner, $120–$1,000+ per job, and $0.13–$0.17 per square foot. Yelp lists the average post-event cleaning cost at $1,250, with some jobs hitting $2,000+.
💡Pro Tip: You could also consider offering light cleanings during events (e.g., washing dishes, wiping down surfaces, and collecting trash). One cleaner on Reddit shared that they charge $25 per hour (with a 4-hour minimum) for this, but they skip bathrooms to keep the job simple.
3 Quick Tips for Choosing and Selling the Right Services
Here are a few tips to help you choose and sell your cleaning services effectively:
Start simply
Begin with the services that are easy to deliver and bring steady income.
For example, if you’re a residential cleaner, start with basic tasks like mopping, vacuuming, dusting, and tidying. Once things are running smoothly, you can add deep-cleaning services (like carpet cleaning or outdoor pressure washing) when your income can support hiring more cleaners or purchasing the necessary equipment.
Offer tiered packages
Give customers a few service packages to choose from, and charge more for options that include extra tasks or specialized work. This way, you can serve different budgets (without undercharging), upsell naturally, and grow your revenue without ever feeling pushy.
For example, a commercial cleaner could package its services like this:
- Basic ($500 per month): Regular cleaning for small offices or shops. Includes trash removal, floor cleaning, and restroom maintenance.
- Standard ($800 per month): Everything in Basic, plus kitchen or break room cleaning, desk and equipment wipe-downs, and disinfecting high-touch surfaces.
- Premium ($1,000+ per month): Everything in Standard, plus window cleaning, carpet deep cleans, floor polishing, and flexible scheduling for larger sites or extended hours.
Suggest add-ons
Offer optional add-ons that clients can book whenever they need. It’s an easy way to increase your earnings and meet more customer needs.
For example, residential cleaners could offer oven cleaning, window washing, or deep cleaning, while commercial cleaners could offer floor waxing, high-dusting, or post-event cleanup.
Pro Tip
Once your schedule starts filling up, use Connecteam to stay organized. It helps you assign tasks, schedule staff, chat with team members, and more, all in one place. Get started with Connecteam for free today!
FAQs
The 80/20 rule of house cleaning is based on the Pareto principle: 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. In cleaning, it means first completing tasks that make the biggest visible difference (such as making the bed, putting away clutter, or clearing counters) before moving on to vacuuming, dusting, cleaning surfaces, etc.
How much you should charge for 3 hours of cleaning depends on the type of service, the size of the space, and the number of people doing the cleaning. For example, in the US, a general professional cleaning by 1 cleaner typically costs $60–$150 for 3 hours.
The 7 stages of cleaning serve as a basic guide for professional cleaning, but they vary depending on the specific service. In general, the steps are:
- Clear trash and clutter.
- Dust surfaces and corners.
- Vacuum and/or mop floors.
- Wash and clean surfaces and furniture.
- Disinfect bathrooms, kitchens, and high-touch areas (like door handles and appliances).
- Dry all cleaned surfaces.
- Check that all tasks are completed to standard.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as and does not constitute business, financial, or professional advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Connecteam accepts no responsibility for consequences arising from actions taken or not taken based on the information present in this article.