UPDATED 10/12/2021: Creating a mission statement for your cleaning business is an important part of your overall plan of operating a successful cleaning operation.
This is because your mission statement “captures” the very essence of your business. The statement itself lays out in just a few short sentences your company’s goals and objectives.
The other side of the coin is that your mission statement clearly signifies what your business is all about to your staff, your customers and to all your potential customers as well. It basically “sums up” WHY you are in business.
Mission statements help you STAND OUT
Your mission statement can touch on many different elements of your cleaning business. For example you may want to make mention what type of solutions you use (“green cleaning” for example), your pricing strategy (low-cost VS high-end), quality of service (economy VS first class).
It could even go on to mention your relationships with employees (family run operation OR family like atmosphere) among other details. Just by the act of creating a mission statement for your cleaning business you are clearly identifying the niche you are filling in your marketplace.
What’s nice about that is when your customers know what niche you are filling, it really helps them realize how much your cleaning business differs from the rest of your many competitors, which is HUGE as far as getting customers is concerned.
Mission statement examples
When you start looking around for examples you’ll quickly notice that mission statements come in different shapes and sizes. Some companies create ones that are just one or two sentences long while others go on for several paragraphs, some even including bullet points. Here are a few examples from some Fortune 500 companies:
American Financial Group, INC (a financial services company)
Our purpose is to enable individuals and businesses to manage financial risk. We provide insurance products and services tailored to meet the specific and ever-changing financial risk exposures facing our customers. We build value for our investors through the strength of our customers’ satisfaction and by consistently producing superior operating results.
American Standard Company (an air conditioning parts distributor)
American Standard’s mission is to “Be the best in the eyes of our customers, employees and shareholders.
Applied Materials (a semi-conductor manufacturer)
Applied Materials’ mission is to be the leading supplier of semiconductor fabrication solutions worldwide-through innovation and enhancement of customer productivity with systems and service solutions.
Now lets see how we can craft a mission statement for an industry like the cleaning business. The next few I’ll be creating “on the fly” just to show you some basic examples. Feel free to modify as needed when creating your own!
Mary’s Maid Service
Our mission is to deliver the finest maid service in the New York Metro region through the hiring and training of only the highest quality people available in our industry.
Southwest Janitorial Cleaning Company
Southwest Janitorial Cleaning Company’s mission is to become the leading supplier of janitorial services by providing the industries highest level of customer satisfaction available. We will relentlessly pursue the customers objective of a clean and healthy work environment.
Industrial Cleaning Company, LLC
Our sole purpose can be summed up by simply stating, “we want our customers to be completely satisfied with our services”. We will leave no stone unturned as we work to deliver the finest cleaning services available. From the largest account down to the smallest we will never be satisfied until our customers are.
Holly Building Services
We seek to be the janitorial vendor of choice for both our customers and our potential customers. We will treat our customers with respect and honesty at all times and we will never forget that we are there to serve them to the best of our ability.
Jenny’s House Cleaning Services
Jenny’s House Cleaning Services pledges to provide the most healthy and clean environment possible. We will do so through the use of the industries finest green cleaning methods and best practices. We will stay on the leading edge of cleaning technologies so we can deliver a clean and sanitized home environment for homeowners who prefer green cleaning methods.
Wording your mission statements
Developing your own personal mission statement becomes a lot easier when you ask yourself some questions that help “pull out” who you are and why you are different from your competition. Ask yourself a few of the following questions. Doing so will help you to create a “verbal picture” of your cleaning business’s mission.
- Why are you in business?
- What do you want for your customers?
- What motivated your decision to start a business. What will keep it alive?
- Who are your customers and what can you do for them that will contribute to their success.
- What image of your cleaning business do you want to convey?
- What level of service do you provide?
- What makes you and your company special?
- How do you differ from your competitors?
Creating your own mission statement
Creating a mission statement is not something you can spend five minutes on and call it a day. Put some thought into it, then set it aside for a while. Then go back with a fresh mindset and see if what you have so far is worth keeping.
Over time a working model will develop that embodies who you are. Before making it public make sure to run it by a mentor, friend, family member or whoever else might be of help to you. Many times having an outside set of eyes to look at your vision is extremely helpful.
Like anything that provides lasting value, crafting a mission statement requires time, thought and planning on your part. However all that effort is well worth it. In fact many new business owners discover that the process of creating their very own mission statement is as beneficial as the final statement itself.
Going through the process will no doubt help you clarify the reason you started a cleaning business not to mention highlight the motivations that drive you and your business. Once your cleaning business mission statement is finished, start spreading the word to the rest of the world.
Clearly post it in your office and somewhere where your employees can see it every day too. Don’t forget to print it on company marketing materials, such as brochures or even on the back of your business cards.
If you liked this post, you can subscribe to our Cleaning 4 Profit RSS feed. If you are looking for a step by step blueprint that will show you how to start your own cleaning business, then check out my Cleaning Business Training Manuals.
i am planning to start my residential, commercial cleaning business. I know that i can give a good service for the potential cleaners but I am getting problems with the quotation and how to find my first clients. Today i spend 3 hours by navigating on your site. I found lot of useful information, but I am not sure if in Canada the cleaning companies are giving the quotation by hours or by square fit. Thank you any ways for your helpful information and honesty.
Hi Tatiana! Education is key, so keep exploring. Anyway… there is no “one way or the other” you must choose from. With that said, quoting a job generally goes like this… “by the hour” for smaller stuff (the jobs you will get in the beginning of your career) and square foot for the BIG JOBS (tens of thousands of square feet).
As to “how” to get jobs… there is no “one way”, as the best way involves multiple avenues. You need to hand out flyers, network, use direct mail, go door to door and join business associations to name a few. Then once you get some customers you must WOW them with great service (which leads to more customers).
Looking to make a mission statement for my mom cleaning company. Please help me with anything you can
Hi Elveria! What kind of company? Commercial or residential?
This is some awesome advice, I will be using it to create mine today. Any advice on placement in a website? Should it be on its own page or the home page, somewhere they have to read it?
Hi Justin! I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to go about it. I would just tinker with the layout and see what you like best. If it was short and sweet, then maybe fit it in on the homepage, if it was a little longer then go with it’s own page.
Hey Tom! Thanks for the article on the mission statement. I am in the process of opening my very own family owned cleaning company in Newton Alabama. Me and my daughter are going to do this as a team. I’m excited and yet a little scared. just starting out what do you think the best form of marketing is? We have limited funds right now and I want to spend my money wisely.
Hi Crystal! Go to real estate offices, bring a bunch of flyers and business cards. Go to every office within 20 miles and do the same. Repeat every few months very important). Just explain you and your daughter are a team and they can count on you when called upon (that would be my pitch if I were you). I would also join several networking groups, and go without fail to each meeting.
Love your website How do I get your updates and emails?
Hi Raychel! Thanks for the kind words. Go to the homepage and click on the orange bar at the top and fill out the form. That’s it! You’ll get a free 9 part series plus all the emails.
Hello,
You have given me a lot of helpful information.
Could you please help me with a mission statement for cleaning business. Only hair salon and barbershop cleaning business particularly.
I am starting this business because I have a passion for cleaning, organization, and keeping things tight and needy. Some people can sing, dance, do art. I clean! I would prefer not to clean residents home but stick to hair salon and barbershop because I see the need for that in my area.
Thank you,
Best Regards,
I hope to hear from you soon.
Hi Porche! You are the best one to write your plan out, as only YOU know what your mission is. To be honest, when you said “I am starting this business because I have a passion for cleaning, organization, and keeping things tight and needy. Some people can sing, dance, do art. I clean!” THAT is a very good start, and perhaps, a mission statement in and of itself.
I AM WANTING TO START MY OWN BUSINESS.THIS IS A FORECLOSURES CLEANOUT WE WILL BE WORKING WITH BANKS. REALESTATE. WE WANT TO CREATE VALUE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE HOUSING MARKET.OUR GOAL IS TO HELP OUR CUSTOMERS RECOVER FROM THE LOSSES.THERE ARE 6.314 HOMES THAT HAS BEEN FORECLOSURES. WE MAKE THE COMMITTE TO THE SOLUTION
Hi Anthony! Well that is good. You have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish.
hi.
Tom we are going to start a cleaning company but i am a bit confused wuth the mission statement . Our buesiness will be both residential and commercial.
Thank you
Hi Shahin! Keep it simple (you can always change it later), how about…
(insert your company name here) mission is to become the leading provider of residential and commercial cleaning services in (insert your area or region here) by offering the highest level of customer satisfaction available. We will forever strive to exceed our clients expectations and make them happy they chose our team for their cleaning needs.
Hi Tom
Thanks for the good information you have given.
I am stating a home cleaning, washing, cooking and shopping services in Ghana. I choose this services because i have passion in cleaning and cooking and doing all this chores after work is a hell out of work. i am a little bit confused about the mission statement. Thanks
I need help on preparing a mission statement for starting a cleaning business. Help!!
Modify one of the examples I provided for a starter one. Then you can change it down the road. Keep in mind, ONLY YOU can make a mission statement, as its YOUR values that are represented.
Am much impressed to come into contact with your timeline. This sight is such a wonderful one. I would like to know whether I can combine both the commercial and the residential cleaning because I would like to explore at every corner of the word “Cleaning”. Please can I also include Lawns and Flower Care? I believe as I have set eyes on your sight, I will be here often. It’s my pleasure.
You can combine the two (commercial and residential). I did both in the beginning then focused on just commercial as the years went on. But the sky’s the limit no matter what your path is!