Starting A Cleaning Business - Apple Supply

Starting A Cleaning Business? Your Essential Supplies Checklist

If you’re here because you’re starting a cleaning business, first off – congratulations! We might be a little biased, but the cleaning industry is one of the most important and indispensable fields of business that continues to grow year after year. If we needed any indicator of how crucial it is to maintain a clean and healthy space, we need only to look at the last couple of years in a global pandemic.

As a supplier of professional cleaning products, we have supplied new and established cleaning businesses. Most start small with the must-haves and continue to grow their services, acquiring additional products and equipment along the way. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all that you need to purchase, the good news is that you don’t have to do it all in one go. Having the basics will kick you off on the right foot.

Here is a list of the essentials to get you started.

Cleaning chemicals

There are a lot of cleaning chemicals available on the market for all types of surfaces and applications. Based on your target market (ie: office buildings, schools, gyms, etc.), we recommend creating a list of the products you need, assessing room to room (bathroom, kitchen, entryway, common areas, and individual rooms) from top to bottom.

The following list considers most types of surfaces in a commercial setting.

  • Multipurpose cleaner
  • Glass cleaner
  • Furniture polish
  • Disinfectant
  • De-scaler
  • Degreaser
  • Toilet cleaner
  • Dishwasher chemicals
  • Laundry detergent
  • Bleach
  • Floor cleaner

Tools & accessories

The tools and accessories you use matter just as much as the types of chemicals you have on hand. Invest in tools that can be washed and re-used, ones that are well-designed for ergonomic function, and multipurpose gadgets, including:

  • Microfibre cloths, colour-coded for each room
  • An extendable rod for hard-to-reach areas
  • Glass polishing cloths
  • Washable dusters
  • Cleaning brushes of different sizes, including a toilet cleaner and a small brush for detailed work
  • Safety equipment, including both reusable gloves and disposable gloves
  • A cleaning cart
  • Dustpan and broom
  • Mop and bucket
  • Bottles, triggers, and pumps
  • A separate bucket to put dirty cloths in
  • A tool belt for convenience

Cleaning equipment

Some businesses invest in their own cleaning equipment that cleaning companies use. However, investing in your own with the latest equipment can put you a step ahead of the competition. Not only will you achieve a thorough clean, but your staff can do so in less time while minimizing physical strain. Having a quality set of equipment is a business strategy and can be part of the USP in your sales pitch to various companies.

With the following list of equipment, remember to consider storage and transportation:

To wrap it up, note that the above list will vary depending on the type of cleaning you do and how you want to establish your business. Some cleaning companies start with the very basics while others go all-in with full-service offerings. Whatever route you go, we are here to help with expert advice and recommendations. We wish you success in your new business endeavour!

About Apple Cleaning Supplies

Apple Cleaning Supplies continues to provide quality professional cleaning products and commercial cleaning equipment since 1964. When you choose Apple Cleaning Supplies, you work with a team of experts who have over 100 years of collective experience in the cleaning industry. We can recommend custom solutions for your facility and offer advice on how you can optimize the performance of your operations.

Our priority is to provide excellent service with expert guidance, offering educational training sessions, and a full facility analysis. We have two physical locations: one in Calgary, Alberta and one in Kelowna, BC and we deliver professional cleaning supplies across Western Canada.