Real-world examples of cleaning service agreements that actually work

Examples of cleaning service agreements for different types of clients

Most people searching for examples of cleaning service agreements aren’t looking for legal theory. They want to see how a real contract reads when it’s used for a house, an office, or a medical clinic. So let’s start there.

Below are narrative examples that mirror what you’d actually see in a 2024–2025 cleaning contract. The language is simplified for clarity, but the structure and issues are realistic.

Residential house cleaning agreement example (recurring weekly service)

A typical residential example of a cleaning service agreement for a weekly client in the suburbs might include:

• Scope of work: Kitchen counters, appliance exteriors, bathroom fixtures, vacuuming and mopping floors, dusting reachable surfaces, taking out household trash. No laundry, organizing, or deep carpet cleaning unless added as paid extras.
• Schedule: Every Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., with a 30‑minute arrival window.
• Supplies: The cleaning company provides all supplies and equipment, using standard household products. If the client requests eco‑labeled products only, the rate increases by a set dollar amount per visit.
• Price and payment: Flat fee per visit (for example, $140), charged automatically to the client’s card after service. Late payment fees apply after 7 days.
• Access: Client provides a smart lock code. The agreement clarifies that codes will not be shared and will be deleted upon termination.
• Cancellations: Visits canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice are billed at 50% of the fee.

In this residential example, the agreement is short—often 3–4 pages—but still spells out liability limits, photo permissions (before/after photos with no identifying details), and what happens if cleaners find suspected illegal activity or unsafe conditions. These examples of cleaning service agreements usually lean heavily on recurring billing and cancellation rules, because that’s where disputes show up.

Commercial office cleaning agreement example (nightly janitorial service)

A more complex example of a cleaning agreement is a contract for a 20,000‑square‑foot office building with nightly service. Here, the stakes are higher: alarms, confidential information, and staff safety.

Key features often include:

• Detailed task schedule: Daily tasks (trash removal, restroom cleaning, kitchen wipe‑downs, vacuuming high‑traffic areas), weekly tasks (dusting blinds, cleaning glass doors), and monthly tasks (deep restroom descaling, high‑dusting vents).
• Security procedures: Check‑in and check‑out protocols, alarm codes, key card logs, and rules about entering rooms labeled confidential or restricted.
• Staffing and background checks: The agreement confirms that all staff are employees (not just contractors), covered by workers’ compensation, and have passed background checks consistent with local law.
• Compliance language: References to OSHA safety standards and local building rules. While OSHA doesn’t publish cleaning contracts, its standards for chemical safety and worker protection are often mentioned. You can see OSHA guidance here: https://www.osha.gov.
• Service level metrics: Response time for complaints (for example, 24 hours), quality inspections once a month, and a written process for resolving repeated issues.

These commercial examples of cleaning service agreements are longer—10 to 20 pages is common—and often attach a separate “Scope of Work” exhibit so tasks can be updated without rewriting the whole contract.

Medical and healthcare facility cleaning agreement example (high‑risk environment)

Cleaning in medical and healthcare settings is a different universe. A realistic example of a cleaning service agreement for a small outpatient clinic will reference infection control, disinfection standards, and sometimes specific guidelines.

Typical language includes:

• Regulatory references: The agreement might reference CDC infection‑control guidance for outpatient settings and require the contractor to follow those standards. For background, see CDC healthcare infection control resources: https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol.
• Product requirements: Only EPA‑registered disinfectants approved for healthcare use may be used on high‑touch surfaces, with contact times followed as per label.
• Training obligations: Cleaners must receive documented training on bloodborne pathogens, sharps safety, and handling of regulated medical waste.
• Zoning: Clear separation between public areas (waiting room), clinical areas (exam rooms), and restricted areas (procedure rooms, lab spaces), each with its own cleaning protocol and frequency.
• Incident reporting: Any exposure to blood or bodily fluids, or damage to medical devices, must be reported immediately to the clinic manager.

These examples of cleaning service agreements are heavily risk‑managed. Insurance requirements are higher, and indemnity clauses tend to be stricter than in basic office or residential contracts.

School and childcare facility cleaning agreement example (K–12 focus)

For K–12 schools and childcare centers, the agreement often balances cleanliness, health, and child safety. A realistic example might cover:

• Timing: Most work is done after school hours, with light daytime cleaning in restrooms and cafeterias.
• Background checks: Every staff member must pass criminal background checks and, in many states, child abuse registry checks, consistent with local education regulations.
• Chemical restrictions: Use of low‑odor, low‑VOC products where possible; no open containers left in classrooms or hallways.
• Illness response: Enhanced cleaning protocols during flu season or outbreaks, aligned with public health guidance. For reliable health information, schools often consult CDC resources on cleaning and disinfecting: https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene.
• Damage and reporting: Procedures for reporting graffiti, vandalism, or suspected neglect or abuse (where mandated reporter laws apply).

These examples of cleaning service agreements for schools are less about high‑grade disinfection (unless there’s a specific outbreak) and more about consistent standards, staff screening, and parent expectations.

Short‑term rental and Airbnb cleaning agreement example

Short‑term rentals live and die on fast turnovers and spotless reviews. A modern 2024–2025 example of a cleaning service agreement for a vacation rental host will emphasize speed, photos, and inventory control.

Common elements:

• Turnover window: For example, check‑out at 11 a.m., check‑in at 4 p.m., with guaranteed completion by 3 p.m. to allow for last‑minute inspections.
• Checklist: Bed linens stripped and replaced, towels counted and replaced, dishes washed or loaded and run, fridge cleaned of guest items, trash removed, basic restocking (toilet paper, soap, coffee pods), and quick patio sweep.
• Photo documentation: Cleaners send timestamped photos of each room and any damage or missing items. The agreement clarifies that photos are for documentation and may be shared with platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo in case of disputes.
• Dynamic scheduling: Host can add or cancel cleanings through an app or portal, with different pricing for same‑day or last‑minute requests.

These examples of cleaning service agreements are structured around high volume and variable schedules, not long‑term predictability. The payment model is often per‑turnover, with a higher fee during peak seasons.

Deep cleaning and one‑time project agreement example

Sometimes, you don’t want a recurring cleaner—you want a serious reset. A one‑time deep clean or post‑construction clean is a very different example of a cleaning service agreement.

It typically includes:

• Detailed scope: Baseboards, interior windows, inside cabinets and drawers, inside oven and fridge, grout scrubbing, removal of construction dust, and debris haul‑away if applicable.
• Inspection walk‑through: A joint walk‑through before and after cleaning to agree on the starting condition and the result.
• Hazard disclosures: The client must disclose hazards such as lead paint concerns, mold, or asbestos. For context on environmental health risks like mold and indoor air quality, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides guidance: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq.
• Change orders: If the crew finds unexpected conditions (for example, heavy nicotine staining, pet damage, or extensive construction dust), the agreement allows for a written change order with revised pricing.

These examples of cleaning service agreements live or die on how well they define “deep clean” and how they handle surprises.

Green cleaning and eco‑focused agreement example

Sustainability has moved from marketing buzzword to line item in contracts. A modern green‑cleaning example of a cleaning agreement for an office or co‑working space will often:

• Specify certifications: Use products that are Green Seal or EPA Safer Choice certified, or equivalent, where feasible.
• Reduce waste: Use refillable containers, microfiber cloths instead of disposable wipes, and recycling‑friendly trash set‑ups.
• Indoor air quality considerations: Limit strong fragrances and aerosols, and schedule heavy‑odor work (like floor stripping) for off‑hours.

These examples of cleaning service agreements still cover the usual legal basics, but the marketing value of “green” is backed up by specific product and process requirements.

Key clauses that show up across the best examples of cleaning service agreements

Across all these real‑world examples of cleaning service agreements, certain clauses appear again and again. When you compare the best examples used by reputable companies, a pattern emerges:

• Scope of work and exclusions: Every solid agreement spells out what is and is not included. For instance, “Cleaning of exterior windows, biohazard cleanup, and pest control are excluded unless specifically listed in Exhibit A.”
• Schedule and access: When cleaners arrive, how they enter, what happens if an alarm goes off, and who pays if the crew is locked out.
• Health and safety: Rules about hazardous materials, sharps, mold, or other conditions that could endanger staff. Medical and industrial examples of cleaning service agreements typically reference OSHA standards or industry guidelines.
• Insurance and liability: Minimum coverage for general liability, workers’ compensation, and sometimes professional liability. The agreement usually limits the cleaner’s liability to a dollar cap or the value of the contract.
• Quality and complaints: How clients report issues, how quickly the company must respond, and whether the remedy is a re‑clean, a discount, or both.
• Termination: How either side can end the agreement, notice periods, and any early‑termination fees.

If your draft doesn’t address these, it’s worth revisiting the best examples of cleaning service agreements you can find and upgrading your template.

2024–2025 trends shaping modern cleaning service agreements

Cleaning contracts in 2024–2025 look different than they did pre‑pandemic. A few trends show up consistently when you review current real examples:

1. Clearer disinfection language
Clients are more aware of the difference between basic cleaning and disinfection. Agreements now distinguish between routine cleaning and periodic disinfection of high‑touch surfaces, often priced separately.

2. Flexible service levels
Hybrid work means offices may only need three nights of cleaning instead of five. Many examples of cleaning service agreements now build in a quarterly review to adjust frequency and price.

3. Stronger worker protections
There’s more explicit language about PPE, training, and safe chemical handling, in part because regulators and clients are paying closer attention to worker safety.

4. Tech‑driven oversight
Photo documentation, app‑based checklists, GPS check‑ins, and digital sign‑offs are increasingly written into contracts, especially in short‑term rental and multi‑site commercial agreements.

5. Pandemic‑style escalation clauses
Some agreements now have a clause allowing temporary service upgrades (for example, more frequent disinfection) during outbreaks, with pre‑agreed pricing and notice periods.

These trends show up consistently when you look at the best examples of cleaning service agreements from established providers, especially in healthcare, education, and corporate real estate.

How to use these examples without copying them blindly

All of these real‑world stories are examples of cleaning service agreements, not ready‑to‑sign contracts. To turn them into something you can actually use:

• Treat them as a checklist of topics: scope, schedule, pricing, safety, insurance, complaints, termination.
• Match the tone and complexity to your situation. A solo cleaner working in private homes doesn’t need a 20‑page contract, but they do need something written and signed.
• Respect local law. Employment rules, background‑check limits, and liability caps vary widely by state and country.
• When in doubt, have a lawyer review your final draft, especially for high‑risk locations like medical clinics, industrial sites, or schools.

Used wisely, these examples of cleaning service agreements can save you from the classic “we thought that was included” argument—and from signing something that quietly shifts all the risk onto you.

FAQ about examples of cleaning service agreements

What are some common examples of cleaning service agreements businesses use?
Businesses typically use agreements for nightly office cleaning, daytime porter services for lobbies, healthcare facility cleaning, school janitorial services, post‑construction cleanup, and short‑term rental turnovers. Each example of a contract shares a similar backbone—scope, schedule, price, liability—but the details are tailored to risk and regulation.

Can I use a residential cleaning contract example for my small office?
You can use it as a starting point, but most residential examples of cleaning service agreements don’t address access control, alarm systems, or confidentiality. For offices, you’ll want clauses about security procedures, handling of confidential documents, and possibly background checks.

Where can I find a reliable example of a cleaning agreement template online?
Trade associations, some small‑business development centers, and legal aid organizations sometimes post sample service agreements. When you review those examples of cleaning service agreements, focus on structure and key clauses, then customize heavily. Avoid copying jurisdiction‑specific wording without checking it with a local attorney.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when drafting cleaning agreements?
They skip the exclusions. Most disputes arise because one side assumed a task was included. The best examples of cleaning service agreements are very clear about what is not covered—biohazards, pest control, exterior windows, personal laundry, decluttering, and so on.

How often should a cleaning service agreement be updated?
At minimum, review it annually. Laws shift, health expectations change, and your own services evolve. Many real examples of cleaning service agreements now include a clause allowing the parties to update the scope or schedule by written addendum without renegotiating the entire contract.