Independent cleaners in Ireland find cleaning jobs mainly through three channels: online marketplaces that match cleaners with people posting requests, word of mouth through friends, neighbours and local community groups, and direct outreach to letting agents, Airbnb hosts and small businesses. Most cleaners who stay busy combine at least two of these, because relying on a single source tends to leave gaps some weeks and too much work in others. Getting the basics right first, registering as self-employed, writing a clear profile and pricing jobs sensibly, is what turns occasional callouts into a steady flow of requests.
Where cleaning jobs actually come from
Marketplaces such as Connect Cleaner let people post a specific job, an end of tenancy clean, a one-off deep clean, an Airbnb turnover, and cleaners who are interested apply directly. This suits cleaners who want new clients without cold-calling, though the volume of requests depends on what people are posting in your area at any given time. Local Facebook groups, parish and estate noticeboards, and simple word of mouth still account for a large share of ongoing, regular work, especially recurring weekly or fortnightly cleans in one neighbourhood. Letting agents, property managers and short-let hosts are worth approaching directly too, since they often need the same type of clean on a recurring basis and prefer a cleaner they already trust over finding someone new each time.
Setting yourself up as self-employed first
Working for yourself as a cleaner in Ireland generally makes you a sole trader for tax purposes, which Citizens Information classes as self-employment rather than a job with an employer. Self-employed income is taxed differently to a wage: you pay Class S PRSI rather than the class an employee pays, and you are responsible for declaring your own profits. Revenue explains that a sole trader registers for income tax self-assessment using the Revenue Online Service, or through myAccount if you are already registered for PAYE and simply adding self-employment on the side; a paper TR1 form is the fallback if you cannot register online. Once registered, you are liable for income tax, PRSI and USC on your net profit, not on everything you are paid, so keeping a simple record of what clients pay you and what you spend on supplies, travel and equipment matters from the first job. Your Local Enterprise Office can point you toward free guidance if any of this is new.
Building a profile that actually gets you hired
A vague profile gets skipped. Requesters comparing several cleaners tend to pick the one who has clearly said what they do and how they work.
- List the specific job types you take on, such as standard cleaning, end of tenancy, deep cleans or Airbnb turnovers, rather than a generic "all cleaning" line.
- State the areas you cover and the days or hours you are actually available, so people are not messaging you about jobs you cannot take.
- Be upfront about whether you bring your own supplies and equipment or expect the client to provide them.
- Mention any specific experience, for example handling upholstery, ovens or post-renovation dust, if that is genuinely something you do.
- Ask a couple of past clients if you can note them as references, even informally, once you have done a handful of jobs.
- Reply to enquiries promptly. A fast, specific reply about scope and timing wins more jobs than a slow, generic one.
Pricing and scope before you say yes
Agree the scope of the job before you turn up, not on the doorstep. Confirm which rooms are included, whether it is a one-off or recurring clean, who supplies products and equipment, and roughly how long you expect it to take. If a property turns out to be larger or dirtier than described, it is far easier to adjust the price or scope in a message beforehand than to raise it once you are already halfway through the job. Decide in advance, and say clearly, what your cancellation policy is if a client cancels at short notice.
Staying safe with cleaning chemicals
The Health and Safety Authority's guidance on chemical safety is written for workplaces generally, and the core principles apply just as much to an independent cleaner moving between different homes. Read the label and safety data sheet for any product you are not familiar with, never mix cleaning chemicals together (mixing bleach with an acid-based product or with ammonia can release dangerous fumes), keep products in their original, labelled containers, ventilate the room you are working in, and wear gloves when handling anything corrosive. This matters more, not less, when you are using products a client has left out that you did not choose yourself.
Widening the types of work you take on
Once you are comfortable with standard cleans, taking on other job types spreads your income across more of the year. End of tenancy cleaning picks up around lease changeovers; our guide on the end of tenancy cleaning checklist shows you what tenants are expected to leave behind, which is useful context before you quote one. Airbnb turnovers run on a tighter, more frequent schedule than a typical home clean, and our Airbnb turnover cleaning checklist covers the stages hosts expect. After a renovation, jobs involve a different kind of mess entirely; see our after builders cleaning checklist for what that work actually involves before you price one.