12 Simple Steps to Start a Cleaning Business in South Africa

So, you’re thinking about how to start a cleaning business in South Africa. Most people who get into this line of work don’t start with much. A few solid cleaning products, a bucket, and the willingness to take paid jobs when they come your way is often enough in the beginning. Plenty of cleaners in Mzansi start out this way and grow steadily once word gets around.

If the idea has been sitting at the back of your mind, this article will help you get a clear sense of what the work actually involves. We’ll look at the basics you need, how people usually get their first clients, how pricing works and the simple admin that keeps everything running smoothly.

Why cleaning services are in demand in South Africa

If you look around, there’s always a place that needs a proper clean. Family homes, shared flats, offices after hours, even the Airbnbs that need to be flipped before the next guest arrives. People are busy, and they’re willing to pay someone who shows up, works neatly and doesn’t cut corners.

In South Africa, cleaning businesses grow because of something straightforward. When you do solid work, people remember you. They call you back. They pass your number to the body corporate chairperson, their neighbour, their cousin with a rental unit, whoever needs help next. It’s not fancy. It’s just how word of mouth works here.

A practical way to get started

You don’t have to build a big company plan before you start cleaning. It helps to break things into simple decisions, especially in the beginning, so you know where to put your energy.

Step 1: Choose the type of cleaning that makes sense for you

Cleaning covers a lot of ground, so it helps to pick one area to focus on at first. Most people decide based on what they can afford, where they live and how they plan to move around.

Here are the most common starting points:

• Home cleaning for flats, complexes and houses. Steady work and lots of referrals.
• Move-out or move-in cleaning for tenants and landlords. More physical work, higher fee.
• Airbnb turnovers with tight timelines and predictable repeat bookings.
• Small office cleaning in the evenings when staff leave.

You can always add extras later like carpets, ovens, windows or deep cleans, but start with one lane so you can build a routine and get known for something specific.

If you’re still figuring out which iKhokha tools fit your business, card payments, online bookings, links or a mix, the Business Toolkit quiz gives you recommendations based on your setup, transport and the number of people you plan to work with.

Step 2: Choose a name that people can remember

Pick something short, friendly and easy to share on WhatsApp. Run it past a few people you trust, then do a quick online search to make sure no one nearby is using it already.

If you want to look more professional when quoting for bigger jobs, register your business through the CIPC or a local service provider. Opening a business bank account also helps you keep work money separate so things stay organised.

Step 3: Put together a starter kit

You don’t need top-of-the-range gear. Start with basics that won’t damage surfaces:

• A mop and bucket
• A good broom
• Microfibre cloths
• Gloves
• Scrub brushes
• Multipurpose cleaners
• Glass and bathroom cleaners

Add a vacuum when you can afford it. Keep everything neat in a caddy so you look organised when you arrive.

If you’re using taxis or walking, work close to home at first and group your jobs by area to save on transport. Before you buy anything, check prices at a local wholesaler and make a quick list of what you actually need now and what can wait.

Step 4: Set pricing that makes sense

People charge differently depending on the job:

• Hourly rates for once-off cleans. Many cleaners charge between R120 and R250 per hour depending on the area.
• Flat rates for standard home cleans with add-ons like ovens, fridges or inside windows.
• Commercial or Airbnb pricing per visit or per month based on the size of the space and number of cleans.

Be clear about what’s included and what counts as an extra, so there’s no confusion later.

Step 5: Keep your standards consistent

Your checklist becomes your reputation. Include the basics: kitchen, bathroom, floors, dusting, surfaces, bins. For rentals and offices, do a quick final scan for smudges, forgotten items and fingerprints.

Arrive on time, confirm instructions, and if the client is around when you finish, do a brief walk-through. It shows care and helps avoid callbacks.

Step 6: Make it easy for people to book you

Your first clients usually come from people who already know you. Share a clear WhatsApp message with your services, areas you cover and availability. Add two photos of your work if you have them.

You can also create a simple online presence, a Facebook page or Instagram account with your name, area and pricing.

If you want people to book without going back and forth on messages, set up a free iK Webstore. Clients can choose packages, pick a time and pay upfront so your day runs smoother.

Step 7: Make your quotes simple and to the point

You’ll notice quickly that most clients don’t want long breakdowns. They just want to know what you’re cleaning, roughly how long it will take and what they must pay. Keep it short and honest. It will save you and the client a lot of back-and-forth.

Something that helps is sending a quick confirmation message the day before. It sounds small, but it prevents last-minute no-shows and helps you look organised. People remember that.

Step 8: Use payment and booking tools that make your day easier

If there’s one thing that wears cleaners down, it’s juggling bookings, payments and changes. WhatsApp alone can become messy fast. The right tools make a huge difference, especially once you start getting regular clients.

Here’s how each option helps in everyday cleaning work:

iK Webstore - for automatic bookings and upfront payment

This is the easiest way to cut out the endless “What time are you free?” messages. Upload your cleaning packages, set your hours and let clients book and pay on their own. It’s great for regular home cleans and perfect for Airbnb hosts who need predictable turnaround times.

iK Tap on Phone - for quick card payments onsite

Some people prefer paying right after the job. Tap on Phone turns your phone into a card machine, so you don’t need extra gear. It’s especially handy when you’re moving between multiple jobs in one day.

iK Pay Link - when clients want to pay before you arrive

A lot of people like settling upfront, mainly for once-off or deep cleans. Send a quick link on WhatsApp or SMS and the payment is done.

iK Invoice - when paperwork is part of the deal

If you’re working with body corporates, rental units or offices, they’ll often ask for invoices. This gives them the paperwork they need and gives you a built-in pay button so they don’t drag out payment.

These tools take a lot of pressure off your admin. That means more time cleaning, less time chasing money or fixing schedule mix-ups.

Step 9: Plan your day so it doesn’t run you

One thing you only learn once you start cleaning professionally is how quickly your day can get away from you. A job that looks small can end up taking half the morning, and before you know it, you’re late for the next place.

Most cleaners figure out their own rhythm. Heavy jobs early while you still have energy, quicker touch-ups in the afternoon, or the other way around if you’re using taxis. What matters is that your schedule feels doable.

Keep your kit light too. Carrying a bulky bag around flats, complexes or stairs feels fine at first and then hits you by lunchtime. And when clients ask for extras, have your add-on prices saved on your phone. It saves awkward guessing and helps you keep control of your time.

Step 10: Keep track of your money from the start

When you’re starting out, it’s easy to forget what you charged someone last month or how much you made in a busy week. Write it down, even if it’s just in your notes app. Your jobs, your hours, your income and your travel. After a few weeks you’ll start seeing what’s worth your time and what isn’t.

As things pick up, the iKhokha App starts becoming useful. All your payments land in one place, your history is saved and you can see which days, areas or job types bring in the most. If you ever want to buy a stronger vacuum or add someone to your team, iK Cash Advance can give you the working capital to do it without the long bank process.

Step 11: Professionalism starts before you walk through the door

Clients remember how you make the process feel. A quick message the night before. Arriving a little early so you’re not flustered. Wearing something neat. Greeting people properly. These things matter just as much as the clean bathroom or shiny floors.

If you’re planning to take on estate agents, complexes or offices, look into basic liability cover. It’s not for emergencies, it’s to help you win better jobs because it shows you’re serious.

Step 12: Add help when the work becomes too much for one person

Most cleaners only think about hiring when they’re overwhelmed, but that’s usually when the quality starts slipping. The better time is when your schedule is full and you’re turning away work or missing good opportunities.

Start with help on your busiest days. Show them how you like things done. Check their work in the beginning. Quality doesn’t maintain itself; it needs attention.

Once you have steady demand, duplicate your kits and create a simple weekly plan so everyone knows where they’re going. Growth is exciting, but it works best when your team understands the standard you built your name on.

Realistic costs of starting a cleaning business

When it comes to costs, most new cleaners are surprised by how little they actually need to get going. If you’re focusing on home cleans or small spaces, most people start with somewhere between R2 000 and R5 000, depending on what they already have at home.

Here’s what that usually covers in real life:

• Basic kit like mops, decent cloths, scrub brushes and multipurpose cleaners. You can put this together for roughly R1 000 to R1 500 if you buy from a wholesaler instead of a supermarket.
• Consumables for your first month - detergents, bin liners and the things you’ll refill often. Around R300 to R600.
• A simple branded T-shirt or name badge, just so you look professional when you arrive. About R200 to R400.
• Transport money for taxis or petrol if you’re working in nearby suburbs or complexes. Usually R300 to R600 to get started.
• Optional extras like business cards if you want something to hand out. Expect R150 to R300.

Once you have those basics, you can serve your first clients without stressing about big upfront costs. Most cleaners reinvest slowly, buying a better vacuum, adding uniforms, or picking up a steamer when they start taking on offices or bigger rentals. That kind of work can push your setup cost closer to R10 000, but only when you’re ready for it.

The truth is, building a cleaning business is less about spending and more about consistency, smart reinvestment and keeping your money organised from the start. You grow as the work grows, not the other way around.

A simple month to get yourself moving

If you’re the kind of person who likes structure, here’s a loose month-long plan that many new cleaners follow:

Week 1

Choose the type of cleaning you want to focus on, settle on a name, write a short description of what you offer, and put together your starter kit.

Week 2

Set up the basics online, a simple Facebook or Instagram page and a Google Maps listing. Send your intro message to people you trust and try to lock in your first one or two paid bookings.

Week 3

Do those jobs with your checklist, take photos if the client is comfortable, and ask for one referral per clean. Start tracking your income and expenses somewhere, even if it’s on your phone.

Week 4

Adjust your pricing if needed, add one optional extra to your services, and test a small repeat-booking special for clients you enjoyed working with. Confirm which payment method works best for you and keep your quoting message updated.

You won’t have everything figured out in a month, but you’ll be earning, learning and improving, which is the part that matters.

What new cleaners usually learn the hard way

Once you’ve done a few jobs, a few patterns start to show up. These aren’t big mistakes, they are just the things almost everyone figures out after their first month on the job:

Charging too little at the start

Most people undercut themselves in the beginning because they’re scared of losing the booking. But once a client gets used to your low rate, raising it becomes awkward. Start with a fair price that covers your time and travel.

Saying yes to everything

In the early days, every job feels important. But taking on all types of cleans at once drains your energy and makes planning difficult. Pick a lane first, build your routine, then add more as you go.

Not being clear about what you’re actually offering

Most misunderstandings come from assumptions. Clients think the fridge is included, you thought it wasn’t. Or they expect deep cleaning when you quoted for a standard clean. Clear boundaries save you time and protect your reputation.

Skipping the small check-ins

A quick confirmation the night before, a “thanks for today” message, these tiny moments turn once-off clients into regulars. It’s not overkill; it’s how people build trust.

Pushing your body harder than you realise

Cleaning is physical work, and you feel it after a long week. Keeping your kit light, spacing out heavy jobs and taking short breaks makes a massive difference. Your business depends on your body, so treat it like part of your equipment.

How to turn once-off cleans into regular clients

Once you’ve been cleaning for a bit, you start seeing which clients come back again and again. It’s rarely the fancy extras that win them over — it’s the small things. Arriving a little early. Checking in the night before. Remembering that their dog is scared of the vacuum. Noticing the fingerprints on the sliding door before they do.

People book cleaners they trust, and trust is built in the details.

Keeping a simple note of each client’s preferences helps more than you’d think. Preferred products, pets, access codes, how they like the beds made — those tiny touches make them feel looked after, and that’s what turns a once-off clean into a steady booking.

Keeping payments smooth

Payments don’t have to be uncomfortable or admin-heavy. If you make the process clear upfront, the job ends neatly without any awkward follow-ups.

Here’s what works well for most cleaners:

• iK Tap on Phone when you want quick, on-the-spot card payments right after the clean.
• iK Pay Link when someone wants to pay before you arrive or prefers WhatsApp/SMS.
• iK Invoice when you’re working with offices, Airbnbs or clients who need proper paperwork.

Each option removes the chase and keeps your cash flow steady, which makes planning your week a lot easier.

Bringing it all together

A cleaning business grows in small, steady moves, one good job, one happy client, one smooth payment at a time. When the work feels organised and the admin isn’t weighing you down, everything else becomes much easier to handle.

Tools like Webstore, Tap on Phone, Pay Link and invoices don’t run the business for you, but they do take care of the parts that usually slow people down. That leaves you with more time for the actual work and the relationships that keep you booked.

As your bookings pick up, iKhokha is there in the background helping you take payments, manage your day and keep the money flowing without a lot of effort from your side. The rest comes down to the way you show up and the standard you set for yourself.