Bookkeeping for a cleaning business: track every job
What bookkeeping does a small cleaning business need?
Track each job (client, date, price, supplies and time), who has paid and who still owes you, and your business expenses by category. Keep a mileage log if you drive between clients. Close each month by checking unpaid invoices and your profit per job.
What to track
- Each job: client, date, price, hours and supplies used
- Payments received and invoices still unpaid
- Supplies, equipment, insurance and phone costs
- Business miles between clients
- Monthly profit and a tax set-aside
A routine that takes minutes
- Daily: log the jobs you finished
- Weekly: chase anything unpaid after 7 days
- Weekly: log miles
- Monthly: profit per client and per job type
Free tools for this
- 2026 mileage deduction calculator
Both 2026 IRS rates, split by date.
Also useful: Business Mileage Log (2026 IRS rates) · 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast
Questions
How do I know if a cleaning job is profitable?
Subtract supplies, travel and the value of the hours it took from the price. Tracking this per job shows which clients and job types pay best.
Can I deduct driving between cleaning jobs?
Business driving can be deductible with records. Keep a log of date, purpose and miles, and check IRS guidance or a tax professional for your situation.
General information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Rates change: check the linked official source before you rely on a number. Not yet reviewed by a CPA or EA.
Other businesses: Etsy sellers · Lawn care businesses