Popular Business Loan Options for Cleaning Companies in 2025

If you’re considering starting a cleaning service company or growing the one you already have, it's a great time to do so. Demand for professional janitorial services is on the rise. In the U.S., the commercial cleaning industry is worth $110 billion and is projected to grow by 5.6% through 2030.

If you work hard and have a sound business plan, opportunities abound in the cleaning services market.

To scale your business to the next level, though, you may need funding. Cleaning business loans can help you purchase equipment, hire staff, serve new clients, or launch a solid marketing strategy. The right loan can give you the boost you need to grow faster, stay competitive, and manage your cash flow more effectively.

There are several cleaning business loan options designed specifically for cleaning businesses. Some provide quick access to funds, while others offer longer repayment terms for more flexibility. We’ll break down the most helpful types of funding so you can choose the best fit for your business needs.

Popular Business Cleaning Loans to Grow Your Business

When exploring cleaning business loans, it’s essential to choose the right funding solution for your current needs. Here are some funding options to consider.

1. SBA Loans – Affordable Long-Term Financing for Cleaning Companies

An SBA loan is one of the best cleaning business loans for your janitorial service company. SBA loans are backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration and underwritten by SBA-approved lenders, like banks and credit unions.

There are two main types of SBA loan programs worth exploring:

• SBA 7(a) Loan: The SBA 7 loan is the most popular option, and it can be used for a variety of business needs, including:
  • Hiring employees
  • Working capital
  • Opening a location in a second city
  • Purchasing work vehicles or cleaning equipment
• SBA Microloan: SBA Microloans are designed for smaller needs. You can borrow up to $50,000, which may be all you need if you're just starting out.

SBA Loan Benefits

• Potentially higher loan amounts if your business plan and financials show you can repay the loan
• Better repayment terms for qualified applicants, such as lower interest rates and a longer time to pay back the loan
• Lower monthly payments than regular bank loans

SBA loans are a great cleaning business loan option when you're on a strict budget and managing operational costs like payroll, supplies, and marketing.

SBA Loan Disadvantages

• Slower approval times, often several weeks, especially with lenders that use older systems
• Exhaustive application process and paperwork
• Detailed financial statement requirements and a solid business plan
• Rigid credit score history, with an SBSS credit score of at least 165 and/or a minimum personal credit score of 650 to 680

If you opt for an SBA loan, look for an online lender that utilizes SBA loan software to expedite the loan process.

2. Term Loans – Simple, Fixed Financing for Cleaning Businesses

A term loan is one of the most common types of business loans. You borrow a fixed amount of money upfront and repay it over a set period of time with interest until the loan is paid off.

Cleaning business owners often use term loans to:

• Buy cleaning supplies in bulk to save money
• Pay for local advertising or digital marketing
• Cover startup costs like insurance, permits, or uniforms
• Hire new employees or invest in training

Term loans are excellent cleaning business loans if you know exactly how much money you need and what you’ll use it for.

Term Loan Benefits

• Predictable monthly payments that make budgeting easier
• Can be used for almost any business expense
• A few online lenders offer fast approval and funding, making it a great source of instant business funding
• Builds creditworthiness when paid on time

Term Loan Disadvantages

• Often requires good personal or business credit to qualify
• Monthly payments usually start right away, even if revenue is delayed
• Less flexible than a line of credit if you’re unsure how much you’ll need
• Interest rates and repayment terms vary widely between lenders

3. Business Lines of Credit – A Flexible Safety Net for Your Cleaning Business

A business line of credit isn’t really a cleaning business loan, but a type of funding that works similarly to a credit card for your business. You get approved for a set amount of money, but you don’t have to use it all at once. Instead, you can draw funds only when you need them.

A business line of credit can be a great cushion for unexpected costs or to boost cash flow when you have fluctuating income or slow-paying clients. It’s also one of the most flexible financing solutions for cleaning business owners.

Common ways to use a business line of credit include:

• Buying bulk cleaning supplies when prices are lower
• Covering fuel and maintenance costs for work vehicles
• Paying employees while waiting for invoice payments to come through
• Handling emergency repairs or replacements

With a business line of credit, you only pay interest on the amount of credit you use, not the full credit limit. And once you pay off what you used, the funds become available again, just like a revolving credit account.

Business Line of Credit Benefits

• Access to quick funding whenever you need it
• Can be reused over and over (as long as you repay on time)
• Great for managing slow seasons or gaps in payment
• Offered by traditional lenders such as banks and credit unions, and online fintech lenders

Line of Credit Disadvantages

• Some lines of credit have annual or maintenance fees, which can raise the cost of financing
• Interest rates can be variable or go up
• Not ideal for large one-time purchases
• Requires discipline because it’s easy to overuse if you’re not careful

4. Equipment Financing – Cleaning Business Loans to Buy Tools and Work Vans Without Upfront Costs

Cleaning equipment and work vehicles are expensive investments for your business. Equipment financing can help you power up your business without draining your wallet or your business's cash flow. Equipment loans are also one of the easiest cleaning business loans to qualify for, because the equipment purchased with the loan funds is collateral.

An equipment loan can help you purchase:

• Carpet cleaners
• Floor polishers
• Company vans
• Pressure washers
• Industrial vacuums
• Software and computers to run your business

Equipment Loan Benefits

• May not need a huge down payment
• Easier, faster approval, thanks to built-in collateral
• Increases your competitiveness by getting the latest, innovative equipment
• Great, first loans for newer cleaning services businesses

Equipment Loan Disadvantages

• You end up paying more for the equipment when you factor in interest
• Equipment can lose value quickly or become obsolete
• Must avoid missing payments so you don’t lose the equipment needed to run your business

Final Thoughts on Cleaning Business Loans

Securing the right business financing can make a big impact on the growth and success of your cleaning service business. Access to capital can help you get the tools you need to expand and scale your operations, improve your service offerings, buy better equipment, or enhance your marketing strategies.

Before choosing a cleaning business loan, compare top business loan lenders. Interest rates, repayment terms, fees, and funding times can vary widely. Review your financing options carefully to get the best deal for your business needs.

FAQs About Cleaning Business Loans

1. Where can I get cleaning business loans?

Borrowers look to banks, credit unions, SBA-approved lenders, and online platforms for cleaning business loans. While banks have traditionally served business owners for decades, modern entrepreneurs are increasingly turning to online lenders for their small business loans.

2. What type of cleaning business is the most profitable?

Commercial cleaners do especially well, particularly when you’re able to land a commercial contract. Specialty cleaning businesses, such as mold remediation or pressure washing, command higher fees and have high profit margins.

3. Are there lenders that offer funding for cleaning business owners with bad credit?

While your options for cleaning business loans will be more limited with bad credit, it’s still possible to get financing. Online lenders look beyond credit history and consider cash flow, revenue, and more. Equipment loans are also easier to get because you already have collateral for the loan. SBA microloans also have lower credit score requirements than regular SBA loans.

4. What are the popular business loan lenders for new cleaning businesses?

SBA lenders who underwrite microloans and online lenders that offer equipment financing are your best options for cleaning business loans if your company is newer. Both options are more accessible for newer companies with a limited business or credit history.

5. Where can I get instant business funding for my cleaning business?

Some online lenders offer quick business funding for cleaning companies.

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