The best loan for a cleaning business depends on what you are financing. Merchant Fund Express, our recommended funder, is best for growing quickly based on your deposits; National Funding fits new or used machines; an OnDeck line of credit works if you have a year in business and bill on 30-day terms; factoring turns commercial invoices into cash; an SBA microloan is cheapest for small amounts; and an SBA 7(a) is for buying a company or a book of contracts.
Cleaning companies have a cash-flow problem all their own. You run payroll every week, but office, building and construction clients pay in 30, 45 or 60 days. When you land a big account, you have to hire people and buy chemicals, uniforms and sometimes a machine before the first invoice clears. This guide compares the options with that reality in mind.
Key takeaways
- Match the funding to the expense: equipment, a new contract, a van or buying another company each call for a different product.
- National Funding finances new or used equipment up to $150,000, up to 100% of the cost with no down payment required, according to its site.
- OnDeck asks for 1 year in business, $100,000 in annual sales and a 625 FICO; its line runs from $6,000 to $200,000.
- Factoring works if you bill businesses (commercial cleaning), not if homeowners pay you by card or Zelle.
- SBA microloans go up to $50,000 for equipment and supplies, but cannot be used to pay off existing debt.
- Our recommended funder reviews sales and deposits, accepts FICO 500+ and does not require collateral in most cases.
The 6 best loans for cleaning businesses
- Merchant Fund Express (recommended funder). Best for growing when your deposits are steady and you cannot wait weeks: adding a second crew, covering the ramp-up on a new contract or buying supplies in bulk. Amounts from $5,000 to $5,000,000, decisions often in 2 to 4 hours, credit from FICO 500 and, in most cases, no collateral. It reviews your sales and deposits, not just your score. Applying is free and does not affect your credit.
- National Funding (equipment). Best for buying or leasing machines: auto scrubbers, carpet extractors, pressure washers or window-cleaning rigs. It finances new or used equipment up to $150,000, up to 100% of the cost, with no upfront fees and no down payment required. For working capital loans it offers $5,000 to $500,000 and says most of its customers have a FICO of 600 or higher (per its site, checked October 2026).
- OnDeck (line of credit). Best for a company with at least a year in business that needs a payroll cushion while it waits to get paid. The line runs from $6,000 to $200,000 with 12, 18 or 24-month terms. Minimums: 1 year in business, a business checking account, $100,000 in annual sales and a 625 FICO (per its site, checked October 2026).
- Invoice factoring. Best if you clean offices, schools, clinics or buildings and invoice on 30-day terms or longer. A factoring company advances a large share of the invoice and collects from your client. Your client's credit matters more than yours. It does not work if your customers are households that pay on the spot.
- SBA microloan. Best for starting or equipping a small company at the lowest cost. It lends up to $50,000 through SBA-approved community nonprofits; according to the SBA, rates usually run from 8% to 13% and the maximum term is seven years. It covers equipment, supplies and working capital, but not paying off existing debt.
- SBA 7(a) loan. Best for buying another cleaning company or its book of contracts over a long term. Maximum of $5,000,000 through an approved lender. Since March 1, 2026, all owners must be U.S. citizens or nationals with their principal residence here; permanent residents no longer qualify as owners.
Comparison table for cleaning companies
| Option | Best for | Speed | Key requirements | Collateral |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merchant Fund Express | Growth, new contracts, supplies | Decision often in 2–4 hours | FICO 500+, sales and deposits | Not required in most cases |
| National Funding (equipment) | New or used machines | Funds in as little as 24 hours after approval | Most customers FICO 600+ | The equipment itself |
| OnDeck (line) | Payroll while you wait to collect | Funds as soon as the same day after approval | 1 year, $100,000/yr, FICO 625 | Not listed in its summary |
| Factoring | Commercial invoices at 30–60 days | Days | Clients with a good payment record | The invoices |
| SBA microloan | Low-cost startup or equipment | Weeks | Varies by microlender | May be required |
| SBA 7(a) | Buying a company | Weeks or months | Citizen or national owners | Usually, when available |
How we chose
How we chose. We do not give ratings or points. We compare every option on the same criteria: speed, minimum time in business, minimum credit, whether it accepts ITIN or no-SSN owners, required documents, amounts and whether collateral is required. Company facts come from each company's official site, and if we could not confirm something we left it out. Read the full methodology in how we rank business funding options.
For cleaning companies we look at two more things: whether the product can handle the gap between weekly payroll and monthly collections, and whether it suits equipment that wears out quickly. A floor machine that lasts a few years should not be financed over a term longer than its useful life.
What to finance with each type of loan
| Need | Product that usually fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Extractor, auto scrubber, industrial vacuums | Equipment financing | The machine backs the loan and the term matches its useful life |
| Work van | Vehicle or equipment loan | Fixed payments, with the vehicle as security |
| New contract with a building or hospital | Working capital or line of credit | Covers payroll and supplies before the first invoice |
| Clients who pay in 45–60 days | Factoring or line of credit | Turn invoices into cash or bridge the gap |
| Buying another company's accounts | SBA 7(a) or term loan | Large amount, long term |
| Insurance or a bond for a contract | Working capital | A one-time cost the contract pays back |
One useful rule: do not finance something long-term with short-term money. If you buy a van with a daily-payment advance, the payment will squeeze you far more than a vehicle loan would. For machines, start with equipment financing for cleaning businesses.
How to get your cleaning company ready to apply
- Separate your accounts. Every client payment should land in the business account. Funders read your statements.
- Keep your contracts handy. A signed agreement with an office or building shows future revenue and helps a lot, especially with factoring or a line of credit.
- List your recurring clients. How many weekly or monthly clients you have and for how long. Recurring revenue is your best argument.
- Get an equipment quote. If it is for a machine, ask the seller for a quote showing model, price and whether it is new or used.
- Keep insurance and licenses current. Many commercial contracts require them, and a funder may ask.
- Test the payment against your slow month. Residential cleaning often has slow stretches, and the payment has to fit there too.
For a broader view, read our guide to business loans for cleaning companies.
Mistakes we see cleaning companies make
- Taking a big contract with no cash to launch it. You need to cover two or three payrolls before the first check. Line up funding before you sign with the client.
- Getting paid at 60 days but repaying daily without doing the math. If your money comes in once a month, make sure a daily payment will not leave you short mid-month.
- Buying new when used will do. Several options finance used equipment, which can cut what you need to borrow by a lot.
- Depending on one client. If one building is most of your revenue, a funder sees risk. Diversify before you ask for a lot.
- Not asking about early payment. If a contract pays sooner than expected, you want to know whether paying early saves you anything.
Our recommendation
If you can wait and you qualify, an SBA microloan or a 7(a) usually costs less. If you need a machine, compare equipment financing. If your clients are commercial and pay late, factoring or a business line of credit for cleaning businesses fits well.
If you need to launch a contract or grow this week and your deposits are steady, go with our recommended funder, which also offers Spanish-speaking support. You can apply with Merchant Fund Express in minutes; it is free and does not affect your credit. Leer en español.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of loan is best for buying a cleaning machine?
Usually equipment financing, because the machine backs the loan and the term matches its useful life. National Funding, for example, finances new or used equipment up to $150,000 with no down payment required, according to its site. If the machine is inexpensive, an SBA microloan or your own working capital may be enough.
Can I get a loan if my cleaning company is new?
It is harder, but there are paths. SBA microloans are designed in part for businesses that are just starting. Many online funders want 6 months to a year of sales. If you already have a signed contract with a commercial client, bring it: it shows future revenue and helps the conversation.
Can I get a cleaning business loan with bad credit?
Yes, there are options. Merchant Fund Express, our recommended funder, accepts FICO 500 and up and reviews your sales and deposits. With factoring, your clients' credit weighs more than yours. With bad credit, expect pricier terms and make sure the payment fits in your slowest month.
Does factoring work for residential cleaning?
Almost never. Factoring works with invoices to other businesses that pay in 30 days or more. If you clean homes and get paid by card, cash or Zelle when the job is done, you have no open invoices to sell. In that case a line of credit or working capital fits better.
How much can a cleaning company borrow?
It depends on your sales, time in business and credit. For reference, SBA microloans go up to $50,000, OnDeck offers lines from $6,000 to $200,000, and our recommended funder works with amounts from $5,000 to $5,000,000. Borrow only what you can repay in a slow month.
Do I need collateral?
Not always. With equipment financing, the machine itself is usually the security. With factoring, it is the invoices. Our recommended funder does not require collateral in most cases. SBA loans usually take collateral when it is available. Also ask whether a personal guarantee is required.