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When I started my first cleaning business, Fast Friendly Spotless, over a decade ago, there weren’t many cleaning business resources out there. You either figured it out the hard way or got lucky and found someone willing to share their playbook.
Now it’s the opposite problem — there are too many “best cleaning business resources” to sort through. One “expert” promises a quick fix, the next YouTube video says the opposite, and Facebook threads rarely agree on anything.
That’s why my team and I pulled together this list of the best cleaning business resources we trust. These podcasts, programs, events, and communities are the ones I’ve seen actually help owners grow their teams, streamline systems, and take back their time. Some I’ve used myself, others come highly recommended by thousands of cleaning business owners in the ZenMaid community.
📋 TL;DR: The best cleaning business resources are the ones that actually move the needle for business owners (and bonus points if they’re also entertaining). In 2025, that means podcasts like Filthy Rich Cleaners, training programs such as Cleaning Business Fundamentals, communities like ZenMaid Mastermind, nonprofits like Cleaning for a Reason, and events like the Maid Summit. These resources give cleaning business owners practical tools, proven systems, and a community to lean on while they scale.
Table of contents
Best Cleaning Business Podcasts and YouTube Channels
Filthy Rich Cleaners
Hosted by Stephanie Pipkin, founder of Serene Clean, Filthy Rich Cleaners is quickly becoming one of the most popular podcasts in the cleaning industry. Stephanie grew her company from an evening side hustle to a $1.5M+ business and shares exactly how she did it. And trust me, she holds NOTHING back. Episodes mix her behind-the-scenes “business diary” style with weekly interviews from industry leaders, making it both practical and entertaining.
Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Podbean
Smart Cleaning School
Ken Carfagno’s Smart Cleaning School is one of the most practical podcasts I’ve come across for cleaning business owners. Ken has a way of breaking down big ideas into simple, actionable steps, especially around mindset, goal setting, and productivity. If you’ve ever felt stuck or overwhelmed running your cleaning business, this podcast is a solid reminder that you’re not alone — and that there’s a clear path forward.
Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Official Podcast Page
True Grime Stories
Jeannie Henderson’s True Grime Stories is one of the more unique podcasts in the industry. Each episode features a cleaning business owner sharing how they went from messy beginnings to building a thriving company. Jeannie has been in the trenches herself and now coaches residential cleaning businesses, so she knows how to ask the right questions and bring out lessons you can apply right away. It’s part inspiration, part strategy, and a great listen if you want to learn directly from other owners’ journeys.
Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Official Website
Only Maid Podcast
The cleaning industry can be… er, messy, and sometimes you just need to have a good laugh. Hosted by Misty and Nicki, the Only Maid Podcast is pure entertainment for cleaners. They swap hilarious and sometimes jaw-dropping stories from life in the field — the kind of “you can’t make this up” moments every cleaning business owner has seen. It’s lighthearted, fun, and the perfect listen while you’re driving to jobs or working through your own cleaning schedule. Think comedy with a cleaning twist, backed by real experiences every cleaner can relate to.
Listen here: Spotify
Caroyln Arellano’s YouTube Channel
Besides ZenMaid’s own channel, Carolyn Arellano’s is hands-down my favorite YouTube channel for cleaning business owners. She’s built a community of 20,000+ subscribers, and for good reason. Her videos are a mix of straight-up education and the kind of motivation you need when running a cleaning business feels heavy. Carolyn makes complicated topics simple and gives you the push to actually implement what you learn. She also runs the Cleaning Business Mentor podcast, which is just as strong. This is a channel I keep coming back to, and I know a lot of other owners in our community feel the same.
Watch here: Carolyn Arellano’s YouTube Channel
Neel Parekh’s Franchising Content
Neel Parekh is a friend of mine and someone I always point people to if they’re curious about franchising. He’s the founder of MaidThis® and MaidThis® Franchise, which has generated millions in revenue with a fully remote team. What makes Neel stand out is that he’s built his business while traveling the world as a digital nomad — so when he talks about freedom and systems, he’s living proof it works. If you’re exploring franchising as your next step, his content is a great place to start.
Follow here: Twitter/X | The Freedom Formula Podcast
Best Cleaning Business Facebook Groups
Facebook Group: Sisters Who Scale
Sisters Who Scale is one of those Facebook groups where you can tell people actually show up and participate. Cheryl Hajjar runs it, and the conversations are super active — hiring struggles, landing better clients, figuring out systems, all of it. The group has a ton of energy, and it’s mostly owners who are serious about getting their business past the messy middle and into real growth. If you want a community that pushes you forward (and isn’t just crickets or random spam posts), this is a good one to check out.
Join here: Sisters Who Scale Facebook Group
Facebook Group: ZenMaid Mastermind
Okay, I know I’m biased — but I pinky promise this is an extremely helpful group for cleaning businesses who are just getting started. We’re closing in on 10,000 members now, and it’s full of owners who show up every day to help each other out. People post questions constantly, and you’ll see other cleaning business owners (and even a few well-known industry consultants) jump in with advice, feedback, and support. It’s been awesome to watch this group grow over the years and continue to help so many people level up their cleaning business.
Join here: ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group
Reddit Communities
This isn’t a Facebook group per se, but the honest advice makes it feel like one. I spend a lot of time on Reddit, and it’s become a surprisingly great spot for cleaning business owners to trade ideas. The conversations are unfiltered and people share what’s really going on in their businesses, the wins and the struggles. If you want to hear from other owners in real time, these are the threads I’d recommend checking out:
- r/housekeeping — a laid-back “breakroom” vibe where cleaners swap stories and advice.
- r/cleaning_business — more focused on nuts-and-bolts topics like pricing, contracts, and hiring.
- r/sweatystartup — not cleaning-only, but plenty of service business owners share how they’re scaling. Lots of practical ideas you can apply to your cleaning business.
Best Cleaning Industry Events
Maid Summit
Every year ZenMaid hosts the Maid Summit, the largest online event in the industry built just for cleaning business owners. Unlike conferences that try to cover every type of service business, this one is 100% focused on cleaning business success. Over four days you’ll hear from 25+ experts — people like Debbie Sardone, Angela Brown, Sharon Cowan, Carolyn Arellano, and more — sharing the exact systems and strategies that helped them scale. The best part? It’s completely free to attend, and all sessions are available on replay if you can’t make it live.
Join here: Get Your Free Pass to Maid Summit 2025
The Maid Summit isn’t the only great event in the industry. If you want to see what else is out there, check out our guide to 7 Must-Attend Cleaning Industry Events in 2025.
Best Paid Resources for Cleaning Business
Free content is a great start, but the real breakthroughs often come from investing in proven systems and expert guidance. These paid programs have helped countless cleaning business owners scale faster and smarter.
Cleaning Business Fundamentals (Debbie Sardone)
Debbie Sardone is THE queen of the cleaning industry, plain and simple. We go way back, and I can honestly say she was one of the most helpful influences in my early days as a cleaning business owner. Debbie’s Cleaning Business Fundamentals program has helped countless owners put real systems in place to grow beyond the “owner-does-it-all” stage. If you’re serious about scaling, Debbie is one of the first people I’d point you to.
Learn more here: Cleaning Business Fundamentals
Investment: Programs range from about $397 up to $3,900, depending on the level of support and certification.
Savvy Cleaner Training (Angela Brown)
There’s no area of cleaning that Angela Brown can’t teach you about. From technical training for cleaners to running a business more smoothly, she’s covered it all — she even has a smoothie recipe to keep your energy up while cleaning (seriously). Angela is one of the most consistent voices in this industry, with a massive library of free content on YouTube plus her paid Savvy Cleaner programs if you want more structured training. She’s a tried-and-true leader who’s been helping owners and cleaners for years.
Watch free content here: Angela Brown’s YouTube Channel
Investment: Subscriptions start around $69/month (≈ $840/year), with occasional promotions as low as $25/month.
Explore paid training: Savvy Cleaner Training
Rescue My Maid Service (Courtney Wisely)
Courtney Wisely is another name worth knowing. Fun fact — she used to work at ZenMaid before starting Rescue My Maid Service, so she knows the ins and outs of this industry better than most. Rescue offers cleaner training, marketing services, and operational support, plus they put together a free Rescue Resource Hub that’s packed with templates, tools, and guides to help you tackle the daily challenges of running a cleaning business. Courtney’s one of those people who’s both highly respected and genuinely helpful — she’s built something really valuable here.
Check out the free resource hub: Rescue My Maid Service Resource Hub
Investment: Paid services and programs vary, starting in the hundreds to low thousands, depending on the package.
Explore paid services: Rescue My Maid Service
ISSA Residential
ISSA is one of the largest global cleaning associations, and their ISSA Residential branch is tailored for residential cleaning business owners. They provide certifications, networking opportunities, and ongoing education to help your cleaning business stand out.
When I first started, I didn’t think certifications mattered much. But over the years, I’ve seen how they can boost credibility with clients and even help when competing for bigger jobs. If you’re looking for a way to differentiate yourself from the “Craigslist cleaners” in your area, ISSA Residential is worth exploring.
Learn more here: ISSA Residential
Investment: Certifications and training typically run $100–$300+ per course, with additional membership fees for access to events and networking.
Cleaning for a Reason (Nonprofit Program)
Last, but definitely not least: One of the most meaningful programs in our industry is Cleaning for a Reason, founded by Debbie Sardone. It gives cleaning businesses the chance to donate free cleanings to cancer patients and their families. Not only does it make a huge difference in people’s lives, it’s also a powerful way to connect with your local community and build goodwill around your brand. I’ve always admired how many cleaning business owners use this program to give back while also strengthening their reputation in the community.
Learn more or sign up here: Cleaning for a Reason
Before You Close This Tab…
There’s no shortage of advice out there for cleaning business owners. But the truth is, you don’t need more resources — you need the right ones that actually move the needle. That’s why I only put my favorites in this list.
And of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention ZenMaid. Software isn’t the only thing that helps you scale, but it sure makes everything else a whole lot easier. If you’re not already running your business on ZenMaid, you can start a free trial here and see for yourself why thousands of other owners swear by it.
At the end of the day, the best investment you can make is in the systems, people, and tools that let you step out of the field and into the role of true business owner. Hopefully, these resources give you a head start.
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