Best CRM and Email Marketing Tools for Cleaning Companies (With Pros and Cons)
By DREW LARISON
Founder & CEO, Five Door Media
Running a cleaning company means juggling a lot — new leads, job schedules, quotes, payments, customer reminders, and reviews.
If you’re still managing all of that with emails, sticky notes, and memory, you already know how easy it is for things to slip through the cracks.
That’s where the right CRM and email marketing tools come in. The goal isn’t to add more software — it’s to simplify your life, save time, and help you follow up faster.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen a wave of tools built specifically for cleaning businesses — plus some tried-and-true options from the broader service industry. Here’s a look at the best of both worlds, along with some pros and cons for each.
1. MaidCentral
MaidCentral is one of the top platforms for established residential cleaning companies. It handles everything — scheduling, dispatching, payroll, reporting, and even customer communication — in one place.
Pros:
Built specifically for residential cleaning companies
Automates scheduling, reminders, and payroll
Excellent reporting and team performance tracking
Integrates with QuickBooks
Cons:
Higher monthly cost (starting around $350/month)
More complex setup process
Best for larger teams
Best for: Residential cleaning companies managing multiple teams or locations.
2. ZenMaid
ZenMaid offers a simpler, more affordable option for smaller cleaning teams. It covers scheduling, reminders, follow-ups, and customer messaging without being overwhelming.
Pros:
Created specifically for cleaning companies
User-friendly and affordable
Automates texts and email reminders
Easy setup and great support
Cons:
Fewer reporting and payroll tools
Limited customization
Geared toward residential, not commercial cleaning
Best for: Small to midsize cleaning companies that want easy, affordable scheduling and client management.
3. The Cleaning Software
The Cleaning Software is a newer platform designed by people who actually run cleaning companies, including one of our CleanCon partners. It’s built to make managing day-to-day operations straightforward and efficient.
Pros:
Designed by cleaning industry pros for cleaning companies
Combines scheduling, quoting, payments, and reminders
Clean, modern interface that’s easy to use
Active support team and frequent updates
Cons:
Still growing its feature set
Smaller user base compared to long-established tools
Best for: Cleaning companies that want a purpose-built, easy-to-use system created by people who understand their daily challenges.
Note: The Cleaning Software is developed by one of our CleanCon partners. We’re including it here because it’s a strong, up-and-coming option for cleaning business owners looking for something built within the industry.
4. Cleanetto
Cleanetto is another emerging cleaning industry platform that focuses on simplicity and customer communication. It includes online booking, automated client messaging, and review collection.
Pros:
Streamlined, modern design
Easy for customers to book online
Built-in messaging and review tools
Simple setup
Cons:
Still expanding integrations and reporting
More limited customization
Best for: Residential cleaning companies that want a lightweight, customer-friendly tool.
5. Jobber
Jobber is one of the most widely used service-business CRMs. It’s not cleaning-specific, but it handles scheduling, quotes, invoicing, and client communication extremely well.
Pros:
Great all-around job management system
Clear, professional client communication
Integrates with QuickBooks
Reliable and easy to use
Cons:
Limited marketing automation
Can get pricey as you grow
Not tailored to cleaning workflows
Best for: Cleaning businesses that offer multiple services or want a flexible, proven CRM.
6. ServiceMonster
ServiceMonster has been around for years and remains a favorite among carpet cleaners and janitorial companies. It’s built for deep scheduling, reporting, and repeat service tracking.
Pros:
Solid reporting and scheduling tools
Good for recurring clients and route planning
Integrates with QuickBooks
Strong customer retention tracking
Cons:
Older interface
Limited automation for marketing or email campaigns
Best for: Commercial or specialty cleaning companies focused on route-based work.
7. GoHighLevel
GoHighLevel (GHL) is a marketing-focused CRM and automation platform. It’s not built specifically for cleaning, but it’s a powerhouse for automating lead follow-up, texts, and review requests.
Pros:
Automates texts, emails, and review requests
Customizable workflows and campaigns
Combines multiple tools in one platform
Ideal for scaling marketing systems
Cons:
Steep learning curve
Requires setup time
Doesn’t handle scheduling or dispatching
Best for: Cleaning businesses that want to automate marketing and stay top-of-mind with leads.
8. Mailchimp
Mailchimp remains one of the simplest ways to keep your cleaning business in touch with past clients. It’s easy, reliable, and affordable — perfect for basic newsletters and promotions.
Pros:
Easy to set up and use
Affordable pricing
Great templates and automations
Reliable deliverability
Cons:
Not a true CRM — limited client tracking
Lacks scheduling or quoting tools
Basic automation unless you upgrade
Best for: Cleaning companies that want consistent email communication and seasonal campaigns.
9. ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign blends CRM features with marketing automation. It’s more advanced than Mailchimp but less industry-specific than MaidCentral or ZenMaid.
Pros:
Strong email automation and segmentation
Integrates with most websites and forms
Great for long-term client nurturing
Scales as you grow
Cons:
Requires more setup
No operational tools (scheduling, invoicing, etc.)
Learning curve for beginners
Best for: Growing cleaning companies that want advanced automation for customer retention.
The Takeaway
The best CRM for your cleaning business depends on where you are in your growth.
If you’re just getting started: ZenMaid, Cleanetto, or The Cleaning Software will keep things simple and organized.
If you’re managing larger teams: MaidCentral or Jobber can help centralize operations.
If you’re ready to automate marketing and follow-up: GoHighLevel, Mailchimp, or ActiveCampaign can take your customer communication to the next level.
The right system doesn’t just save you time — it helps you deliver a more consistent, professional experience every time a client interacts with your business.
At Five Door, we help cleaning companies find the tools and systems that fit their size, goals, and team — because growth shouldn’t mean chaos.
