Want to make your cleaning business the go-to choice in your community? 

The secret to standing out lies in smart, strategic advertising. Whether you’re looking to attract more clients without breaking the bank or are willing to invest in paid advertising to drive growth, we’ve got the tips you need. 

In this article, we’ll cover 12 effective advertising ideas, including both free and paid methods, with real examples from businesses that have successfully used advertising to grow and stand out in the cleaning industry.

Ready to boost your bookings? Let’s dive in.

Why advertising is crucial for cleaning businesses

Effective advertising can be the difference between a thriving cleaning business and one that struggles. The list below details how to achieve an effective advertising strategy.

Build brand awareness

You can increase brand awareness by 80% simply by investing in digital ads. For cleaning services, this means getting your name in front of prospective clients consistently. This makes your business top of mind when they need cleaning help.

Attract new customers

Advertising helps you reach your target market by showcasing your services to people who are actively searching for cleaning solutions. Targeted campaigns can highlight key offerings within your cleaning business plan, drawing in those who are ready to book a service.

Expand business operations

As your brand grows and new clients come in, you’ll be in a strong position to expand your operations—whether that’s hiring more employees or offering specialized cleaning services. Effective advertising makes scaling up a reality for any cleaning business that’s looking to grow.

8 paid advertising ideas for cleaning businesses

When it comes to advertising, investing in the right platforms can elevate your cleaning business, helping you reach more potential clients and grow faster. Below are eight paid advertising ideas to increase conversions for your company and kickstart your digital marketing efforts:

1. Google Ads

Typing “cleaning service near me” into Google brings up the highest-performing Google Local Service Ads. (Source)

For local cleaning businesses, Google offers multiple ad options that each target local customers in unique ways:

• Google Search Ads are pay-per-click ads that appear at the top of search results when users search for specific keywords, like “carpet cleaning near me.” These ads let you target high-intent customers actively looking for your service.
• Google Local Service Ads show up above Google Search Ads and are designed to connect searchers with vetted, local providers. These ads are typically pay-per-lead, meaning you only pay when a potential customer contacts you through the ad.
• Google Business Profile Ads integrate with Google Maps, displaying your business when users search for nearby services. This type of ad is particularly useful for reaching mobile users and boosting your visibility in specific geographic areas.

Costs vary, but expect to spend $1–$5 per click, depending on the competition in your area. The average cost per click on Google Ads across industries is currently $4.22.

To learn more about how to optimize your cleaning business’s Google Ads strategy, check out our guide to text ads.

2. Facebook and Instagram ads 

This sample carpet cleaning Facebook ad shows how the cleaning service could improve the look of your carpets. (Source)

Facebook and Instagram ads enable you to reach a specific audience by targeting location, demographics, interests, and even behaviors. For cleaning businesses, this means you can advertise to local homeowners or property managers. Using hashtags and integrating Instagram Reel and TikTok trends in your social media marketing strategy can also improve engagement. 

With an average cost per click of $0.60, these platforms are affordable and flexible. A strong starter idea is to create a carousel ad showcasing before-and-after photos or promotions for first-time customers.

3. Local newspaper ads 

Jepco Cleaning uses color images and easy-to-read bullet points in their newsprint ad. (Source)

Believe it or not, local newspaper ads can still be an effective way to drive business, particularly for older demographics who rely less on the internet. 

Placing an ad in your local paper costs between $100 and $1,600 depending on the size and location of the paper. 

Make sure to include a simple call to action, such as “Call for a free quote,” to entice readers. This strategy works best when combined with other marketing efforts.

To make your ad even more engaging, consider including a QR code. QR codes enhance print ads by making it easy for readers to scan and instantly reach your website, booking page, or social media without cluttering the physical ad space. 

For more insights on QR codes in print ads, check out this guide on QR code best practices.

4. Nextdoor advertising

Many lawn care businesses advertise on Nextdoor—your cleaning business could, too. (Source)

Nextdoor is a neighborhood-focused platform where local businesses can connect directly with residents. Advertising on Nextdoor allows cleaning businesses to target nearby customers and build a hyper-local client base. 

Nextdoor offers starter plans for advertising where users can select from a $3, $5, or $10 per day budget. You can start by offering exclusive deals or discounts to nearby residents, positioning your cleaning services as the go-to for local households.

5. Online listings and review sites

These businesses use Yelp ads to promote limited-time deals. (Source)

Platforms like Yelp, Angi, and Thumbtack are critical for cleaning businesses looking to boost visibility and trust. 

In addition to earning reviews, you can also run ads on these sites to drive more traffic and potential clients. Advertising on these platforms generally costs $0.50–$5.00 per click, depending on your target area and service.

For more tips, check out our comprehensive guide to Yelp marketing.

6. Local sponsorships 

Often, local event sponsors will get their logo printed on a T-shirt for all event participants, giving you exposure to potential customers. (Source)

Sponsoring local events, road races, youth sports teams, or charities offers a way to build goodwill and advertise your cleaning business within the community. 

These sponsorships typically range from $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on the size and visibility of the event. In exchange, your logo will appear on event materials, and you may even have a chance to promote your services directly to attendees.

7. Direct mail and flyers 

Direct mail postcards are one of the best, most cost-effective ways to advertise as a local small business. (Source)

Direct mail campaigns allow you to send physical ads directly to homeowners in your target area. Flyers, postcards, or door hangers are particularly effective after you’ve serviced a nearby home. These can offer discounts or highlight special promotions. 

Expect to spend between $0.30 and $10 per mailer, including printing and postage costs, depending on what you’re sending, its size, and how quickly you want it to arrive. This old-school method remains highly effective for reaching local clients.

8. Branded vehicle wraps

This branded vehicle wrap is eye-catching and sure to grab attention. (Source)

Transform your work vehicles into mobile billboards with branded vehicle wraps. Wrapping your business vehicle with your logo, contact information, and website URL can generate thousands of impressions per day. 

The cost of a full vehicle wrap ranges from $2,500 to $6,000 and up, but it’s a one-time investment that can deliver ongoing brand exposure as you drive around town. This is an excellent way to build awareness without the need for recurring ad spend.

4 free advertising ideas for your cleaning company

Growing your cleaning business doesn’t always require a big advertising budget. By using free marketing tools, you can increase your website traffic and attract new customers organically. Here are four effective strategies to try:

1. Social media 

A strong presence across social media platforms can help you build your brand and engage with potential clients. 

Creating a Facebook Business Page allows you to post a variety of content, such as cleaning tips, customer testimonials, or promotions. Facebook groups are also an excellent way to connect with your local community and offer advice, answer questions, or share posts about your cleaning services. 

Regularly posting high-quality content will establish your cleaning company as a trusted authority while boosting your organic reach.

2. Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)

Your Google Business Profile is often the first impression potential customers have of you. (Source)

Claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) is a powerful way to ensure that your cleaning business’s contact information—company name, hours of operation, and phone number—appears in local search results. 

A well-maintained GBP listing includes up-to-date business information, hours of operation, and customer reviews, all of which can help you rank higher in local searches. 

This simple tool helps you reach people who are actively searching for cleaning services in your area and increases the chances that they’ll contact you directly.

3. Online reviews 

Positive online reviews are the gold standard of advertising. (Source)

Encouraging satisfied clients to leave reviews for your house cleaning services on platforms like Yelp, Angi, or Google can significantly boost your business’s credibility. Positive reviews build trust with potential customers and improve your local search ranking, making your cleaning services more visible online. 

Send a polite follow-up email after a job asking for feedback or offer incentives like discounts on future services for leaving a review. Authentic, glowing testimonials are one of the most effective forms of free advertising.

GorillaDesk’s review generation feature makes it easy to request and manage customer reviews, so you can grow your online reputation seamlessly.

4. Word of mouth and referrals

Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth marketing. Happy customers are more likely to recommend your cleaning services to friends, family, or neighbors. 

Encourage referrals by offering a referral bonus, such as a discount or a free service for clients who bring in new business. A solid referral program turns satisfied clients into brand ambassadors, which helps you build a loyal customer base at no extra cost.

3 examples of impactful cleaning business ads 

Curious how cleaning businesses successfully use ads to stand out? Check out these creative campaigns that combine clever targeting with an eye-catching design to attract new customers and build a loyal client base.

1. Green’s Outdoor Cleaning Facebook ad

Green’s Outdoor Cleaning uses before-and-after photos to make its cleaning ads pop. (Source)

In the ad above, Green’s Outdoor Cleaning lets its work speak for itself. This before-and-after photo showcasing a dirty house exterior before its service, and a sparkling clean house exterior following a cleaning, proves the quality of its work. It also makes potential clients want the same results for their homes.

This ad received a high amount of engagement and helped the company’s profile grow to over 1,000 followers.

2. Go Clean Co’s organic Instagram post

Go Clean Co’s Sarah McAllister has mastered her organic social presence to the point that her Instagram posts provide great free advertising. (Source) 

Go Clean Co, an at-home-based cleaning company, has over 2 million followers on Instagram. Owner Sarah McAllister’s posts regularly receive thousands of likes and comments, making Instagram an excellent, free channel for advertising. 

How does she do it? Posts like those we highlighted above, which are fun, valuable, and relate cleaning back to current events, are super effective. Even if followers aren’t actively looking for a cleaning service, Go Clean Co becomes an account with content that they trust. 

3. Wizard Wash’s social proof

Customers rate Wizard Wash’s pressure washing services highly—and it uses that rating to advertise itself on Facebook. (Source)

Wizard Wash’s Facebook post checks a few advertising best practice boxes. 

It starts off with a value statement—its team is able to complete a high volume of cleanings in a timely manner. Then, it shares its five-star rating from nearly 200 reviewers. Finally, it shares some high-quality pictures of the team in action. 

As a result, prospective customers know just what to expect and why they should choose Wizard Wash.

Unlock your cleaning business’s full potential with GorillaDesk

Advertising brings in new clients, but what happens after that first click or call? 

This is where GorillaDesk steps in. By bridging the gap between your advertising efforts and customer relationship management platform, GorillaDesk helps you turn leads into long-term customers. 

With tools that streamline estimates, job scheduling, and client communication, GorillaDesk is the cleaning business software you need to ensure that your home cleaning business stays organized, efficient, and ready to grow. After all, it’s not just about getting noticed—it’s about building lasting relationships. 

Ready to make the leap? Start your 14-day free trial of GorillaDesk today.