What is the Best Accounting Software for House Cleaning Businesses?
Running a house cleaning business comes with unique operational challenges—and managing your finances shouldn’t be one of them. Whether you’re juggling multiple client appointments or managing seasonal crews, having the right accounting software can streamline your operations, keep your books accurate, and help you stay tax-ready.
Download Our Free Brochure →Two leading options dominate the industry: QuickBooks and Xero. But which is best for your house cleaning company? Let’s break it down.
Why You Need Specialized Accounting Software for House Cleaning
House cleaning companies often deal with:
- Recurring and one-time clients
- Variable service rates
- Independent contractors and part-time workers
- Mobile payments and invoicing on the go
- Tight margins and tax complexity
Manual spreadsheets or generic apps can’t keep up. You need a solution that simplifies:
- Client invoicing
- Job-based expense tracking
- Mileage and supply deductions
- Reconciliation with your bank
- Payroll or contractor payments
- Financial reporting
That’s where QuickBooks and Xero come in.
QuickBooks: A Household Name in Housekeeping Accounting
QuickBooks is the top choice for many house cleaning businesses due to its:
- Built-in templates for service-based invoicing
- Mileage tracking (mobile app)
- Automatic expense categorization
- Seamless integration with TurboTax
- Payroll and 1099 contractor support
QuickBooks Online also integrates easily with apps your business might already use, like Square, Stripe, or Jobber. For cleaners working solo or with small teams, this can be a game-changer.
Best For: Cleaning companies that want strong U.S. support, robust automation, and a well-known name trusted by CPAs.
Xero: Streamlined and Scalable for Growing Cleaning Crews
Xero is another powerful option offering:
Download Our Free Brochure →- A clean, user-friendly interface
- Real-time financial dashboard
- Project and job-costing tools
- Built-in inventory tracking for supplies
- Unlimited users even on lower-tier plans
Many house cleaning companies that plan to scale choose Xero for its affordability and flexibility—especially if they manage multiple teams or need access for bookkeepers, managers, and partners.
Best For: House cleaning businesses looking for collaboration, scalability, and lower monthly software fees.
Test Case: Jenny’s Sparkle Team (Small Business Example)
Jenny owns a residential cleaning company with three employees in Austin, Texas. She initially tracked everything in Excel, but during tax season, her CPA flagged mismatches in revenue reporting, unrecorded mileage, and hundreds in missed deductions.
After switching to QuickBooks:
- Jenny set up recurring invoices for her weekly clients
- Tracked mileage via the app
- Uploaded receipts directly into the platform
- Connected her bank account for automatic reconciliation
Result: Jenny saved 12 hours/month on admin work and got a larger tax refund due to better expense tracking.
Pro Tip from RemoteBooksOnline
No matter which software you choose, clean books matter more than fancy features. That’s where outsourcing your bookkeeping can help. At RemoteBooksOnline, we specialize in bookkeeping for service businesses like house cleaning, and we work with both QuickBooks and Xero.
We’ll handle your books while you focus on what matters-running a spotless operation.
If you’re behind on your books, our catch-up bookkeeping services can help you get current fast-no stress, no mess.
Tax professionals and CPAs rely on our QuickBooks bookkeeping services to streamline financials and scale their practices efficiently.
Stay organized and tax-ready year-round with our flat-rate monthly bookkeeping services.
Not sure which bookkeeping software fits your needs? Use our bookkeeping comparison tool to see how QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks stack up – and choose the best fit for your business.
Wondering if we specialize in your industry? Explore our industries page to see tailored bookkeeping solutions for your sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need QuickBooks or Xero if I hire a bookkeeper?
Yes! Even if you outsource your bookkeeping, having your cleaning business set up on a platform like QuickBooks or Xero makes data sharing, invoicing, and compliance much easier. Your bookkeeper will thank you.
Can I switch between QuickBooks and Xero later?
Yes, migration is possible, though not always seamless. It’s best to pick the right platform early or work with a service like RemoteBooksOnline to assist with the transition.
What if I don’t have time to learn either software?
You’re not alone. Many cleaning business owners choose to outsource bookkeeping to save time. At RemoteBooksOnline, we take care of the setup, reconciliation, and monthly reporting-no learning curve required.
Can I manage both business and personal expenses in the same system?
Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. It’s best to keep personal and business finances completely separate for legal and tax clarity.
If you’re running a house cleaning business, investing in the right accounting software is more than a convenience-it’s a necessity. Both QuickBooks and Xero offer reliable, cloud-based solutions tailored for small businesses in the cleaning industry.
Whether you’re a solo cleaner or managing multiple teams, choosing the right tool-and the right bookkeeping partner-can make all the difference.
Let RemoteBooksOnline handle the books so you can focus on sparkling results.
