Eco-friendly carpet, upholstery and floor cleaning services get the same job done as conventional cleaning services without the use of toxic chemicals and cleaners. The result is a healthier environment for your customers and an excellent green business opportunity in a rapidly growing industry.

1. What is an eco-friendly carpet, upholstery and floor cleaning service?
Conventional carpet, upholstery and floor cleaning services use harsh chemicals that can negatively affect workers' health, the health of building occupants, and the environment. There are healthier alternatives, and this business takes advantage of these alternatives to create an entire service of carpet and floor cleaning for homes and offices that does not use toxic chemicals. The industry has enjoyed solid growth. In 1990, it was estimated there were roughly 5,500 of these such businesses in the U.S. By the end of that decade, those figures had grown to over 9,000, constituting an industry worth roughly $3 billion annually, and has now grown to $5.3 billion as of 2008.

Ones we like:
Greenforce Clean Team - San Francisco, CA
Green Homes Carpet Cleaning - Franklin, MA
Drysdale's Total Floor Care - Peabody, MA

Greenforce Clean Team - San Francisco, CA

An additional advantage to starting a business in this industry is that, in the words of Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, "There are no 800-pound gorillas" in this industry. According to the Bharat Book Bureau, the top nine industry players in this market only garner 22% of total sales, meaning that there are a lot of independent operators doing business in this arena.

2. What required knowledge or skills are necessary?
There are no formal educational or training requirements for this job. However, the work is strenuous and requires that the worker be able to be on their feet for extended periods of time, and be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

3. How much money is required to start?
$$ (on a scale of $ to $$$$$)

4. What is the income potential?
$$$-$$$$ (on a scale of $ to $$$$$)

5. What is the best location for an eco-friendly carpet, upholstery and floor cleaning service?
It does not matter where you begin this business, as long as your equipment is mobile and you can get to your clients' buildings.

Drysdale's Total Floor Care - Peabody, MA

6. Three best questions to ask yourself to find out if this business is right for you (if you can answer yes to all three, this business might be for you):

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Interested in starting one in your community? Where do you begin? What permits do you need? Who are your target customers? How do you find them? What is the best use of your limited advertising dollars? What's the best way to attract a great employee or volunteer? What does an average day look like? What strategic tips do veteran eco-entrepreneurs suggest for startups like you?

There's a lot to think about, but rest easy! Our mission is to help you succeed, so set up a free half hour consultation with Scott Cooney, GBO's Principal, and author of Build a Green Small Business (McGraw-Hill). You may also order a free (S&H only) copy of Scott's book by clicking on the picture of the book cover below.