
Medical office cleaning is one of the most overlooked but high-potential service side hustles. While many people start with residential cleaning or Airbnb turnovers, medical facilities offer something different:
- Higher standards
- Recurring contracts
- Better long-term stability
- Strong referral potential
If structured correctly, medical office cleaning can grow from a small side hustle into a reliable local service business.
This guide covers:
- What medical office cleaning involves
- How to start
- Income potential
- Companies that are good to work with
For more information, check out these pages and articles:
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- Wakewall’s 50-State SEO Guide for Small Businesses
- Seasonal Search Trends by Age Group
- The Simple SEO Guide for Any Business
- The Niche Finder: Browse Ideas to Start Your Journey
What Is Medical Office Cleaning?
Medical office cleaning focuses on sanitizing healthcare environments such as:
- Primary care clinics
- Dental offices
- Urgent care centers
- Physical therapy clinics
- Chiropractic offices
- Small outpatient surgical centers
Unlike standard janitorial work, medical cleaning requires:
- Infection control awareness
- Proper chemical usage
- Disinfection protocols
- Attention to biohazard procedures
The goal is not just cleanliness — it’s compliance and safety.
Why It Works as a Side Hustle
Medical offices typically operate during business hours and need cleaning:
- Evenings
- Early mornings
- Weekends
That makes it ideal for someone with a 9-to-5 job.
Advantages:
✔ Recurring monthly contracts
✔ Predictable schedules
✔ Higher pricing than residential cleaning
✔ Professional client base
Once you secure a few contracts, income becomes stable and repeatable.
What Services Are Included?
Medical office cleaning usually includes:
- Disinfecting exam rooms
- Sanitizing high-touch surfaces
- Cleaning waiting areas
- Trash removal (including medical waste coordination if required)
- Restroom sanitation
- Floor cleaning and mopping
- Dusting and surface wiping
- Cleaning reception desks and front counters
Some facilities require deeper periodic services such as:
- Carpet extraction
- Floor waxing
- Terminal cleaning
Sub-Niches in Medical Office Cleaning
Medical office cleaning isn’t one single market. It’s a collection of specialized sub-niches, each with different standards, pricing levels, and client expectations.
If you’re considering this as a side hustle — especially with long-term growth in mind — niching down can help you:
- Charge premium rates
- Stand out from general janitorial companies
- Build authority in one healthcare segment
- Secure recurring contracts faster
Below are the most profitable and realistic sub-niches within medical office cleaning.
- Dental Office Cleaning
- Urgent Care Clinic Cleaning
- Primary Care & Family Practice Cleaning
- Physical Therapy Clinic Cleaning
- Chiropractic Office Cleaning
- Chiropractic clinics are often smaller and privately owned.
- Dialysis Center Cleaning
- Pediatric Clinic Cleaning
- Veterinary Clinic Cleaning
- Specialty Medical Clinics
Specialized Service Sub-Niches
Beyond facility type, you can niche down by service specialization:
- Terminal Cleaning Services: Deep disinfection after contamination or illness.
- Infection Control Specialists: Focused on compliance-level sanitation.
- Biohazard Cleanup: Requires additional certification and insurance.
- Green Medical Cleaning: Eco-friendly disinfectant solutions for healthcare.
- Medical Waste Handling Coordination: Partnering with licensed disposal service
Startup Requirements
You can start lean, but you must operate professionally.
- Business Structure: Register as an LLC or sole proprietorship.
- Insurance: General liability insurance is essential.
- Supplies: Use hospital-grade disinfectants. Follow CDC guidelines for sanitation.
- Training: Basic infection control knowledge is important. Many online courses are available for healthcare sanitation standards.
- Background Checks: Medical offices often require background checks for cleaners.
Professionalism matters more in healthcare environments than standard house cleaning.
How Much Can You Earn? (Examples)
Medical cleaning contracts vary by size and frequency.
Small office (2–4 exam rooms):
- $500–$1,200 per month
Mid-size clinic:
- $1,500–$3,000 per month
Larger facilities:
- Significantly higher
With just 3–5 steady contracts, this can become strong monthly side income. The key is recurring agreements rather than one-time cleanings.
How to Get Clients
- Direct Outreach: Visit local clinics and drop off professional brochures.
- Network With Office Managers: They are usually the decision-makers.
- Offer Trial Cleaning: A discounted first service can demonstrate quality.
- Focus on Reliability: Healthcare offices prioritize consistency and compliance over low price.
Companies That Are Good to Work With
If you do not want to build your own client base immediately, you can work with established cleaning companies that subcontract medical cleaning jobs.
Here are well-known companies in the industry:
1. ServiceMaster Clean
A large commercial cleaning franchise that often contracts medical facilities. Many local franchise owners hire independent cleaners.
- Website: servicemasterclean.com
2. Jani-King
Specializes in healthcare cleaning services and offers franchise and subcontract opportunities.
- Website: janiking.com
3. Anago Cleaning Systems
Provides commercial contracts including medical offices. Good option if you want structured support.
- Website: anagocleaning.com
4. Coverall
Focuses heavily on health-based cleaning standards and medical environments.
- Website: coverall.com
5. Stratus Building Solutions
Offers green cleaning options and works with healthcare clients.
- Website: stratusclean.com
Before working with any franchise company, review:
- Contract terms
- Franchise fees
- Equipment requirements
- Territory limitations
- Revenue splits
Some companies require upfront franchise investment, while others offer subcontractor agreements.
Should You Work for a Company or Start Solo?
Working With a Company
Pros:
- Immediate contracts
- Structured training
- Brand recognition
Cons:
- Lower profit margins
- Franchise fees
- Less control
Starting Your Own Service
Pros:
- Full pricing control
- Higher margins
- Long-term asset building
Cons:
- You must find clients
- More responsibility
If your goal is long-term income growth, owning your contracts usually provides more upside.
How to Position Yourself for Higher Pay
Medical offices do not hire the cheapest provider — they hire the most reliable.
Focus your messaging on:
- Infection control knowledge
- Compliance standards
- Professional appearance
- Consistency
- Clear communication
Instead of saying: “We clean offices.”
Say: “We specialize in compliant, high-standard medical facility sanitation.”
That positioning alone can justify higher pricing.
Scaling the Side Hustle
Once you have consistent contracts:
- Hire part-time cleaners.
- Assign geographic routes.
- Add quarterly deep-clean packages.
- Offer supply management services.
Medical cleaning businesses often grow through referrals between clinics.
Time Management and Organization
Because this side hustle involves recurring contracts and compliance tasks, organization is critical.
You’ll need to:
- Track service schedules
- Log completed cleanings
- Set reminders for supply restocking
- Monitor contract renewal dates
Using a structured reminder system like Wakewall can help you:
- Set recurring service reminders
- Organize clients into categories
- Track notes for each facility
- Maintain follow-up schedules
Consistency builds trust — and trust leads to contract renewals.
Is Medical Office Cleaning Worth It?
Yes — if you approach it professionally.
This side hustle is not glamorous, but it is:
- Recession-resistant
- Recurring-income based
- In demand
- Scalable
Healthcare facilities always need sanitation. The biggest barriers are professionalism, reliability, and compliance knowledge — not startup capital.
Final Thoughts
Medical office cleaning services can become more than a side hustle. With just a handful of contracts, you can create steady monthly income. With structure and organization, you can scale into a full commercial cleaning business.



