The best equipment financing for a cleaning business depends on what you are buying and how much you need. If you need several things at once or fast capital, Merchant Fund Express is our recommendation; to buy equipment with no down payment up to $150,000, National Funding; for a specific branded machine, the dealer; if you are small or new, the SBA microloan; for small gear, a business credit card; and for expensive machines you replace often, leasing.
In commercial cleaning, the right equipment is what lets you take bigger contracts: a multi-floor office, a warehouse or a hospital does not get cleaned with a mop and bucket. Here we compare how to finance that jump without running out of cash for payroll.
Key takeaways
- Finance equipment that lets you win bigger contracts or charge more, not just to be "better equipped."
- National Funding finances new or used equipment up to $150,000 with no required down payment, per its website.
- The SBA microloan goes up to $50,000 and can be used for machinery and equipment.
- Sales-based capital works for mixed purchases: equipment, a van and supplies together.
- Match the term to the equipment's useful life.
- Keep capital for payroll while you wait to get paid on new contracts.
What equipment cleaning companies usually finance
- Floor scrubbers and burnishers (walk-behind or ride-on) for offices, schools and retail stores.
- Carpet extractors and upholstery cleaning equipment.
- Pressure washers and exterior gear for parking lots and building facades.
- Commercial vacuums, backpack or industrial.
- Vans or pickup trucks with your logo to move equipment and crew.
- Specialty equipment: foggers for disinfection, dehumidifiers for water damage, and post-construction cleanup gear.
The key question before you finance: will this machine let me charge more or take a contract I cannot take today? If the answer is yes and you have the contract or the demand, financing it usually makes sense. If it is just to be "better equipped," wait. Also think about the type of customer: homes and small offices need light, easy-to-move equipment; warehouses, schools and hospitals justify bigger machines. The full product guide is in equipment financing for cleaning businesses.
How we chose these options
We do not use numeric ratings. We apply the same criteria to every option, explained in how we rank business funding options: speed, minimum time in business, minimum credit, acceptance of an ITIN or SSN only, documents, amounts and collateral. For cleaning, we added whether the option works for mixed purchases (equipment, a van and supplies together), because that is how these companies usually grow. Competitor details were verified on their official websites in October 2026; if something was not published, we left it out.
The best equipment financing for cleaning businesses
Merchant Fund Express (recommended funder). Best for: cleaning companies with contracts and steady deposits that need equipment, a van or capital now. It does not finance one specific machine: it is capital based on your sales and deposits that you can use for several purchases at once, such as a carpet extractor, a burnisher, a used van and the first month of supplies for a new contract. Amounts run $5,000 to $5,000,000, it works with FICO 500+, decisions often come in 2 to 4 hours, and collateral is not required in most cases. It accepts applicants with an ITIN (no SSN needed) and offers Spanish-speaking support. Applying is free and does not impact your credit.
National Funding (equipment financing). Best for: buying equipment with no down payment, up to $150,000. Per its website, checked October 2026, it finances new or used equipment up to $150,000, up to 100% of the cost, with no upfront fees or required down payment, and it mentions the possibility of using the Section 179 deduction. For commercial cleaning equipment, that range covers most purchases.
Dealer or manufacturer financing. Best for: one specific branded machine, like a floor scrubber or extractor. Many commercial cleaning equipment dealers offer monthly payments or leases on their own machines. It is convenient, but compare: the equipment price and the financing cost are negotiated separately.
SBA microloan. Best for: small or new companies that need less than $50,000. According to sba.gov, it lends up to $50,000 through nonprofit community lenders, and it can be used for machinery, equipment, supplies and inventory. It usually costs less than online financing, but it takes longer and requires a plan.
Business credit card. Best for: small gear like vacuums, carts and tools. For small purchases you can pay off in a month or two, a business card is the simplest route. If you carry a balance for months, interest is usually high.
Leasing. Best for: expensive machines that go obsolete or that you want to replace often. Leasing lowers the upfront investment and makes it easier to swap machines. Read what happens at the end of the lease, whether maintenance is included and whether you can buy the equipment.
Quick comparison
| Option | Amount | Down payment | Mixed purchases | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merchant Fund Express | $5,000 to $5,000,000 | Not applicable; sales-based capital | Yes | Decision often in 2–4 hours |
| National Funding | Up to $150,000 | Not required, per its website | Equipment only | Fast |
| Dealer | Depends on the machine | Depends on the program | Its own equipment only | Days |
| SBA microloan | Up to $50,000 | Set by the microlender | Yes, with use limits | Weeks |
| Business credit card | Your limit | No | Yes, small purchases | Instant if you have one |
| Leasing | Depends on the machine | Sometimes lower | Equipment only | Days |
The quick read: if you are buying a single machine, equipment financing or the dealer is usually cheaper because the machine is the security. If you need equipment, a van and startup capital for a new contract at the same time, one flexible source saves you several applications.
Finance it or pay cash?
Not every piece of equipment deserves financing. These rules help you decide:
| Situation | What usually makes sense |
|---|---|
| Small gear you can pay for with one month of sales | Pay cash, or use a card you pay off within the month |
| Expensive machine tied to a signed contract | Finance it; the contract pays for the machine |
| Equipment you need to bid on bigger contracts, with no contract yet | Rent by the day or lease first, and finance once you win the contract |
| A breakdown that stops an active contract | Fast capital; every day without cleaning puts the contract at risk |
| Big purchase, and your business has years of history and good credit | Compare bank, dealer and equipment financing |
A typical example: a cleaning company serving small offices wins a school contract. It needs a scrubber, an extractor and two more workers before the first payment, which arrives in 45 days. Financing only the scrubber does not solve payroll; that is where a flexible source covering equipment and working capital usually fits better.
Also ask your accountant about the Section 179 deduction, which in many cases lets you deduct business equipment in the year you put it into service. Do not decide on the tax benefit alone: decide on the contract.
What to prepare before you apply
- An equipment quote with brand, model and price; if it is used, its condition and age.
- Signed contracts or letters of intent from commercial clients: they show the machine will produce revenue.
- 3 to 6 months of business bank statements.
- ID, an SSN or ITIN depending on the funder, and your EIN.
- Liability insurance and, if it applies, a janitorial bond, which many commercial clients require.
- Tax returns if you go to a bank or a microlender.
If you also need a vehicle, see our guide to carpet cleaning van financing.
Common mistakes when financing cleaning equipment
- Buying the biggest machine in the catalog. A ride-on scrubber is useless in small offices with narrow hallways. Buy for the contracts you have or are about to sign.
- Forgetting maintenance. Batteries, brushes, pads and service cost money; add them to the monthly payment.
- Financing short-lived gear on a long term. A backpack vacuum should not take years to pay off.
- Signing a lease without reading the end. Some force you to return the equipment or pay a high residual value.
- Running out of capital for payroll. A big new contract usually pays in 30 or 60 days; the equipment does you no good if you cannot pay your crew while you wait.
If you need equipment and capital to start a new contract, you can apply online with our recommended funder; applying is free and does not impact your credit. Prefer Spanish? Leer en español.
Frequently asked questions
Can I finance cleaning equipment with bad credit?
It is harder with banks and some dealers. Equipment financing is more accessible because the machine serves as security. Sales-based capital looks at your deposits and, with the funder we recommend, works with credit from FICO 500. The steadier your contracts, the better your odds.
Can I finance a floor scrubber if my cleaning business is new?
Yes, though with fewer options. Equipment financing is usually easier at the start because the machine is the security. An SBA microloan can also work for equipment. If you already have a signed contract that justifies the purchase, show it: it helps a lot with any application.
Is it better to buy or lease cleaning equipment?
Buying makes sense for equipment you will use for many years that does not change much, like extractors or commercial vacuums. Leasing makes sense for expensive machines you replace often, or when you want to protect your cash. Always check what happens at the end of the lease.
Do I need a down payment to finance equipment?
It depends. Some funders ask for one; National Funding says on its website that it does not require one and finances up to 100% of the cost. Dealers vary by program. Sales-based capital does not involve a down payment because it is not tied to a specific machine.
Can I finance a van for my cleaning business?
Yes. You can use a commercial vehicle loan, equipment financing or sales-based capital. If the van is used, some funders set age or mileage limits. Wrapping it with your business name turns it into advertising too.
Can I get cleaning equipment financing with an ITIN?
Yes, some funders accept it. Our recommended funder accepts applicants with an ITIN, no SSN needed, and reviews your sales and deposits. Other lenders and dealers may require an SSN, so ask before you apply. Talk to an immigration attorney about your situation if you have questions about your status.