How to Start a Green Cleaning Products Business

As we learn more and more about the chemicals in standard household cleaners and their impact on the environment, consumer demand for green cleaning products has risen. A green cleaning products business produces and sells eco-friendly cleaning supplies, offering individuals and businesses a safe alternative for cleaning their homes and offices.

Learn how to start your own Green Cleaning Products Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services.

Start a green cleaning products business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Green Cleaning Products Business
  2. Form your Green Cleaning Products Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Green Cleaning Products Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Green Cleaning Products Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Green Cleaning Products Business
  7. Get Green Cleaning Products Business Insurance
  8. Define your Green Cleaning Products Business Brand
  9. Create your Green Cleaning Products Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your green cleaning products business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Green Cleaning Products Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state's business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability.

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your green cleaning products business?

Business Name Generator

What are the costs involved in opening a green cleaning products business?

Launching your business from home is a great way to minimize costs and stick to your overall mission. While this will significantly reduce start-up costs, there are a few investments you will need to budget for:

  • Brand development
  • Raw materials for mixing your products - some start-ups choose to leave the mixing to those with more experience, partnering with a manufacturer.
  • Packaging and labeling
  • Shipping
  • Website
  • Marketing materials and advertisement costs
  • Business insurance

What are the ongoing expenses for a green cleaning products business?

The bulk of your ongoing expense budget will go towards manufacturing costs and payroll. When setting your monthly budget, you will need to factor in the following expenses:

  • Packaging
  • Shipping and handling
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Insurance
  • Website maintenance
  • Travel expenses, education, and market research associated with continuing your eco mission
  • Staff training 
  • Ongoing certification

Who is the target market?

The modern consumer is more educated and conscious of the myriad of ways we can help preserve our environment. In addition to the green consumer, your marketing efforts should also target consumers who require organic cleaning products for their health. 

Success in this industry comes from identifying current market needs and shaping your business around those needs. Once you have perfected your products for that niche, you can expand and target other industry needs.

How does a green cleaning products business make money?

A green cleaning products business generates revenue from the sale of each item. Depending upon your business model, these sales will come from an online store, a brick and mortar establishment, and/or wholesale clients.

How much can you charge customers?

When setting your prices, be sure to factor in overhead expenses, manufacturing costs, and packaging expenses. Additionally, prices will vary depending upon the product and size. If you aren’t confident in this part of the process, the manufacturer that you have partnered with should be able to offer guidance

How much profit can a green cleaning products business make?

While most eco-friendly cleaning product businesses turn a profit in the first year, it generally takes three years to build a well-established business. Business owners who are committed to their cause and maintain a pulse on the latest trends report a six-figure profit after the third year.

How can you make your business more profitable?

To help boost your company’s profits, industry leaders recommend considering selling through major retailers such as Amazon. The most effective way to increase visibility is to BE visible - host workshops and educational events, attend conventions and sponsor local and national events. Immerse yourself in the movement.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your green cleaning products business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services. You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

  • Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
  • Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a 3D printing design business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners, we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended: Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a green cleaning products business

Once you have defined your target audience, strive to build partnerships with others in the community that cater to those consumers. Are there any eco-friendly cleaning companies, dry cleaner, or laundromats in your area? If so, consider offering them a discount for using your products or offer rewards for each referral. 

The key to consumer confidence is to offer total transparency, sharing your mission and product ingredients on your website and labels.

How to keep customers coming back

As the face of your company, you must show the public you aren’t just talking the talk. Be active in the community and help educate others regarding eco-friendly alternatives, not just in your industry but in every aspect of our lives. This will increase visibility and consumer confidence. 

Your biggest contribution, however, is the products you manufacture and sell, so make sure you consistently deliver quality products that the public can count on.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Entrepreneurs who are dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring a safe future are finding unique ways to do their part. Those who are right for this business venture have made it their life’s mission to educate consumers, igniting their passion in others along the way.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a green cleaning products business?

When first starting your business, much of your day will be centered on product and brand development. Once your “house” is in order, your focus will shift to generating sales, fulfilling orders, and remaining abreast of the latest trends and legislation. As mentioned, most entrepreneurs in this industry are dedicated to doing their part for the environment. Therefore, any free time is generally spent furthering their cause and increasing awareness.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful green cleaning products business?

While mixing safe cleaning products isn’t a new concept, consumer awareness is. To realize success in this industry, one must have a firm knowledge of what mixtures are safe for each household/office surface and be able to confidently educate others regarding the benefits of going green. The National Institutes of Health Household Products database offers a wealth of information to help get you started.

As with any investment, strong business sense and leadership skills are essential to your organization’s short and long-term success. Fueled by the desire to help preserve Mother Earth, entrepreneurs should use their interpersonal skills to gain clients and educate the public as to how their products perform compared to the competition.

What is the growth potential for a green cleaning products business?

Recent research forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% growth, with the household eco-friendly cleaning products market reaching over $27 million by 2024. This expected growth offers significant opportunities for those looking to enter the industry. Some eco-friendly business owners choose to remain small, selling on a state and local level, while others partner with national retailers, reporting revenue of over $100 million.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a green cleaning products business?

The most important piece of advice offered by industry leaders is to become green seal certified. This not only increases customer loyalty and access to niche markets, but it also maximizes your green efforts.

How and when to build a team

How and when you build your team is dependent upon how you structure your business. Many entrepreneurs choose to start small, completing all the work themselves. While this offers significant savings on start-up and ongoing costs, it will also require you to wear many hats. Consider your weaknesses, such as marketing or administrative duties, and hire accordingly. 

During the hiring and training process, be sure to add staff members that share your same passion for protecting the environment and offering families and businesses safe alternatives to the standard cleaning products used today.

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!