In an industry where turnover rates can exceed 200%, finding and retaining reliable cleaning staff isn’t just a challenge; it’s a constant crisis. The cleaning industry faces a long list of staffing challenges along with high turnover rates, including inefficient hiring processes, recent changes in immigration policies, and worker quality and availability.
With 69% of surveyed cleaning businesses reporting that recruiting and hiring qualified staff is a challenge, the demand for a faster, more reliable staffing solution has never been higher.
New and emerging digital marketplaces offer a smarter, faster way to connect cleaning businesses with qualified workers. These marketplaces streamline every step of the recruitment process, from shift scheduling to work tracking and payment, while also offering transparency through cleaner profiles, ratings, and reviews. For an industry plagued by high turnover and last-minute no-shows, digital marketplaces offer a scalable, flexible, and far more reliable alternative.
The evolution of recruitment
Traditionally, businesses hired cleaning personnel through conventional methods like word of mouth, local ads, or job boards. These old-school methods were not only time-consuming for the job poster, but they didn’t guarantee the right match for the job.
The shift toward digital hiring in the cleaning industry mirrors broader trends fueled by the rise of the gig economy. As platforms like Uber and DoorDash normalize flexible, app-based work, cleaners seek a similar autonomy, valuing the ability to choose when, where, and how much they work.
Likewise, employers are increasingly challenged to hire faster while ensuring the candidates meet their specific needs. Traditional recruitment methods can’t keep up with these changing expectations, creating a clear need for technology that can match supply and demand more efficiently.
Why marketplace models work
In the context of labor, marketplace platforms digitally connect workers with businesses or individuals for specific services or tasks. The platforms operate on an on-demand model and facilitate the entire interaction, including payments and disputes.
The key benefits of marketplace platforms for cleaning jobs, include:
- Instant matching of workers with clients based on skills, location, and availability
- Transparent worker ratings and reviews
- Built-in scheduling, payment, and compliance
When hiring through a marketplace platform, cleaning businesses will see candidates who are vetted and prepared to work. In traditional hiring methods, however, they are at risk of pursuing candidates who may prove to be unreliable or the wrong fit.
Real-world impact
Digital marketplaces are already delivering measurable results. Companies using marketplace-style scheduling platforms can reduce the time spent on filling shifts by up to 80%. Faster hiring doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Tools like performance history and reviews ensure reliable, consistent service.
Many cleaning businesses report gaining new levels of flexibility without sacrificing reliability. When a worker calls off, or demand for cleaning services spikes, they can source last-minute coverage from a vetted pool of professionals. Meanwhile, cleaners benefit too, with the ability to choose the hours and locations that suit their lives. They can also build stronger reputations to access more desirable jobs.
A winning future for cleaners and companies
The marketplace model is particularly powerful in its ability to serve and benefit employers and job seekers equally. For employers, whether they’re small businesses or national franchises, marketplaces offer a scalable workforce that adjusts with demand. Instead of being locked into rigid staffing structures, companies can flex up or down as needed without compromising coverage or service quality.
For job seekers or workers, marketplaces create clear incentives for growth and professionalism. A strong track record on the platform, good reviews, reliability, and punctuality can lead to higher pay, more job offers, and preferred status. In this way, technology supports not just recruitment but retention and skill development, fostering a more stable and motivated workforce over time.
The marketplace moment
The rise of marketplaces marks a fundamental shift in how cleaning work gets done. This isn’t a short-term trend. It’s a long-overdue evolution in how businesses find, hire, and retain talent in a fast-paced economy. As expectations from both workers and customers continue to rise, the companies that adapt will be the best positioned to thrive.
For commercial cleaning businesses, the question is no longer if technology can improve hiring, but when to embrace it. The right platform can make all the difference in building a workforce that’s not only efficient but also resilient and future-ready.
