Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
A house cleaning business starts with a caddy, a good vacuum and the right microfiber. Many cleaners bring their own supplies so the result is the same in every home.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial upright vacuum | Carpets and rugs, every visit | $230 (Oreck Commercial XL upright vacuum (XL2100RHS), Oreck) |
| Microfiber cloths in color codes | Kitchen, bath and dusting kept separate | Varies by brand |
| Cleaning caddy and spray bottles with labels | Moving room to room fast | Varies by brand |
| Flat mop system with washable pads | Hard floors without dirty water | Varies by brand |
| Extendable duster and a step stool | Ceiling fans and high shelves | Varies by brand |
| Scrub brushes, grout brush and a squeegee | Showers, tubs and glass | Varies by brand |
| Gloves, knee pads and a mask | Comfort and protection on long days | Varies by brand |
| Bags and a laundry bag for dirty cloths | Taking used cloths home to wash | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most cleaning companies buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Backpack vacuum | Faster on stairs and hard floors | Varies by brand |
| Canister or HEPA vacuum | Allergy-sensitive customers | Varies by brand |
| Steam cleaner | Grout, bathrooms and move-out jobs | Varies by brand |
| Window cleaning kit | Inside glass and add-on window work | $33 (Ettore Pro+ squeegee, 14 in, Ettore) |
| Washer and dryer kept for cloths | Clean microfiber every day | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- All-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner and degreaser. The three bottles you use most.
- Bathroom cleaner and a disinfectant. Kitchens and baths.
- Floor cleaner for the floor types you see. Hardwood, tile and vinyl.
- Spare mop pads and cloths. A fresh set for every home.
- Trash bags and paper towels. Every visit.
- Vacuum bags, belts and filters. Keeping the vacuum pulling.
What a cleaning kit costs
The 1 starter kit items we could price add up to $230 at the maker's listed price, out of 8 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
The 1 pro kit items we could price add up to $33 at the maker's listed price, out of 5 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
Vacuums swing the total most. Many solo cleaners start with one good commercial upright and add a backpack vacuum when the route fills up.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most cleaning companies buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our cleaning suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the cleaning services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Oreck: Oreck Commercial XL upright vacuum (XL2100RHS), checked October 9, 2026
- Ettore: Ettore Pro+ squeegee, 14 in, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.