When starting your cleaning business, one of the most important—and often overlooked—decisions you’ll make is your business name. It may seem simple, but the name you choose will follow you for the life of your company. That’s why it’s worth getting right from the start.
In this week’s newsletter, I’m breaking down the step-by-step process for naming your business the right way—and what to avoid so you don’t limit your growth down the line.
Start by generating a list of name ideas. Think about words related to cleaning—like sparkle, shine, polish, tidy—and combine them with unique twists. Tools like ChatGPT can help you come up with combinations. Try prompts like:
“Give me some unique, memorable business name ideas for a residential cleaning company in Seattle.”
A great name should be:
Easy to remember
Unique
Simple to pronounce and spell
Why? Because word of mouth is a powerful marketing channel. If your customers can’t remember your business name, they can’t refer you to friends and family.
Many cleaning business owners fall into the trap of choosing names that limit them later. Here’s what to avoid:
❌ Including the Specific Service
Using words like house cleaning or maid service in your name can box you in. If you ever decide to expand into commercial work, your name may no longer make sense and could confuse potential clients.
❌ Using Your Location
It might feel smart to add your city to the name (e.g., “Seattle House Cleaners”), but what if you expand into another city? A name tied to one area can hurt conversion rates when prospects outside that area see your site.
❌ Adding Your Personal Name
Names like David’s Cleaning Co. may suggest you’re a solo cleaner, which could put off higher-paying clients who expect a more professional setup. It also makes it harder to sell or scale the business down the line.
❌ Being Too Boring or Generic
Names like “Top Cleaning Services” or “Fantastic Cleaners” just don’t stick. Choose something with a little flair—something clients will remember and talk about.
Once you have a shortlist of names:
Try saying them out loud as if you were answering the phone.
Ask friends and family which ones they remember a day later.
Avoid names that are hard to pronounce or too long.
If it sounds awkward or forgettable, go back to the drawing board.
Once you have 3–5 strong name options, check to see if the .com domains are available. This is important because:
.com is still seen as the most trustworthy extension
It helps with brand recognition and email deliverability
It’s what most people naturally type in
Use sites like Namecheap or GoDaddy to search for available domains. If your top pick is taken, don’t panic—try variations or new combinations.
Pro tip: Spend time here. Good domains are hard to find, but worth the effort.
Once you’ve narrowed your list and checked the domains, don’t rush to buy. Sit on your top picks for a few days. Ask yourself:
Does this still sound good a week later?
Do others remember it easily?
Is it still aligned with where I want the business to go?
If one name continues to stand out, that’s probably your winner.
Once you’ve chosen your name and bought the domain, move on. 99% of your focus now needs to shift to getting your first clients. That’s where the real growth happens.
If you need any help with client marketing, I might be able to help you. We work with 50+ cleaning companies all around the world. Learn more at www.project83.com
