Residential and commercial cleaning companies ask customers for a lot of trust: you're letting a crew into someone's home or office, often while they're out. That's why so many people check Google reviews before booking a house cleaner or office cleaning service, and why a steady flow of honest, detailed reviews matters more in this category than in many others. This guide covers when to ask, what to say, which tools fit which jobs, and how to stay inside Google's rules.
Why Do Google Reviews Matter So Much for Cleaning Companies?
Reviews are often the main evidence a new customer has that your team is reliable, careful and trustworthy in their space. They also feed into how Google ranks local results.
Google says local results are based mainly on relevance, distance and prominence, and that more reviews and positive ratings can help a business's local ranking (Google Business Profile Help). Google also says there's no way to request or pay for a better ranking, so the honest route is the only route: do good work, ask every customer, and reply to what they write.
Most cleaning companies are service-area businesses. If you don't serve customers at your business address, Google asks you to remove the address from your Business Profile and list the cities or ZIP codes you serve instead (up to 20 service areas). Reviews still appear on your profile as normal.
When Should a Cleaning Company Ask for a Review?
Ask when the customer can see the finished result, ideally at a quick walkthrough at the end of the job or right after they get home to a clean house.
- End-of-job walkthrough: the lead cleaner shows the finished rooms and makes the ask in person
- Deep cleans and move-out cleans: ask once the customer has inspected the property, not while they're stressed about handover
- Recurring residential clients: ask once after the first few visits have settled into a routine, not after every clean
- Commercial accounts: ask the office or facilities manager after the first month, when they've seen consistent results
- Vacation-rental turnovers: ask the host by text or email after a few turnovers, since they rarely see your crew in person
Cleaning Company Tactics That Work
The most practical setup combines an in-person ask with an easy way to leave the review later, because many clients won't review while your crew is still packing up.
- Leave an NFC Google review card on the kitchen counter with a short handwritten thank-you note, so the customer can tap or scan it when they get home
- Send a follow-up text or email with your direct review link shortly after the job, while the clean is still fresh (check the consent rules for marketing messages before texting customers)
- Reply to every review and mention the service naturally, such as a deep clean, move-out clean or weekly service, so future readers can see what you do
- Let customers know they can add a photo to their review if they'd like; Google lets reviewers upload photos, and before-and-after shots help future customers picture the work
What Should Cleaners Say When Asking?
Keep it to one or two sentences, use the same ask for every customer, and never attach a reward.
- In person: "Thanks for having us. If you're happy with today's clean, a quick Google review really helps a small team like ours. Just tap this card with your phone."
- On the note left with the card: "Thanks for trusting us with your home today. If you have a minute, tap or scan this card to leave us a Google review."
- By text: "Hi [name], thanks for choosing us for your move-out clean today. If you'd like to share your experience, here's our Google review link: [link]"
- To a commercial client: "We'd really value an honest Google review from your team about our service so far. Here's the direct link."
Which Review Tool Fits Which Cleaning Job?
Match the tool to whether the customer is home when you finish. The goal is a link they can open in one step, whenever they're ready.
| Job type | Suggested tool | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring home cleans | Review card left on the counter or fridge | The customer finds it when they get home and can tap or scan it later |
| Deep and move-out cleans | Card at the walkthrough, plus a follow-up text or email | The customer is present for the inspection and gets a reminder afterward |
| Office and commercial contracts | Review link by email to your main contact | The decision-maker is rarely on site when your crew works |
| Vacation-rental turnovers | Review link by text or email to the host | Hosts usually manage remotely and won't see a card |
| Crew leads on the move | Review keychain on the lead cleaner's keys | Always to hand when a client is home at the end of a job |
To get the link itself, open your Business Profile, choose Read reviews, then Get more reviews, and copy the link. Our guide on how to find your Google review link walks through it step by step.
How Should a Cleaning Company Reply to Reviews?
Reply to every review, positive or negative, promptly and in a calm, specific tone. Google notes that replying shows customers you value their feedback.
- Positive reviews: thank the customer by first name and mention the service or crew naturally
- Complaints about a missed spot: apologize, offer a re-clean, and invite them to contact you directly
- Damage or breakage claims: stay factual, avoid arguing in public, and move the details to phone or email
- Never share private details about the customer's home, schedule or access codes in a reply
Mistakes to Avoid
- Offering a discount on the next clean in exchange for a review, which Google's policy prohibits
- Asking only the clients who seem happiest; Google prohibits selectively soliciting positive reviews
- Having cleaners, family or friends post reviews; Google treats this as conflict-of-interest content
- Sending customers your website homepage instead of your direct Google review link
- Asking recurring clients after every single visit, which quickly feels like pressure
In the US, the FTC's rule on consumer reviews and testimonials (16 CFR Part 465, in effect since October 2024) bans fake reviews, buying reviews conditioned on a positive or negative sentiment, undisclosed insider reviews and review suppression. A card or link that simply opens your review page, with no incentive or filtering, fits Google's policy.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How many Google reviews does a cleaning company need?
There's no fixed number, and Google doesn't publish a review threshold for ranking. Focus on a steady flow of honest reviews from real customers, and compare yourself with the cleaning companies that appear for searches in your service area.
Can I offer a discount on the next clean for a review?
No. Google's policy prohibits offering incentives such as discounts or free services in exchange for reviews, even if you don't ask for a positive one.
Should cleaners ask in person or by text?
Both work well together. An in-person ask at the walkthrough is the most personal, and a follow-up text or email with the direct link catches customers who weren't home or wanted to review later.
Can my cleaning company get reviews without showing my home address?
Yes. If you don't serve customers at your address, Google asks you to remove it and list your service areas instead, and customers can still leave reviews on your Business Profile.
Can my cleaners leave reviews for the company?
No. Reviews from current or former employees, owners or family are conflict-of-interest content under Google's policy, and undisclosed insider reviews are also covered by the FTC's rule.
How do cleaners ask for reviews when clients aren't home?
Leave a short thank-you note with your review link or QR code at the property, then send one brief follow-up message. Both give the client an easy way to review in their own time.
When is the best time to ask a cleaning client?
Soon after the clean, while the result is fresh, or in person at a first visit or quality check.
Should I ask commercial clients too?
Yes. Office managers and business owners can leave Google reviews just like households, so include them in the same routine.
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