Get Quotes from Top Cleaning Services in Oklahoma City, OK

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Cleaner in Oklahoma City

According to the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, over 7,300 hospitalizations and 2,200 deaths have been caused by the coronavirus since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Keeping a tidy, well cleaned, and disinfected home or workspace provides you with a measure against this virus and other person-to-person infectious diseases, while also increasing your productivity and reducing the risk of household and workplace accidents. Outsourcing this cleaning and disinfection ensures that the job is done professionally per relevant health and safety standards and also frees up time for you to relax, spend with loved ones, or attend to other important activities.

To ensure that you select the right cleaning company in Oklahoma City to handle your home or office's cleaning and disinfection, you should always get satisfactory answers to the following questions:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Cleaning Service in Oklahoma City?

Individuals who provide cleaning services in Oklahoma City are not required to obtain a business license for these activities. Nonetheless, cleaning companies in the city are typically required to meet specific state and federal-level business registration requirements before they can legally operate. This includes registering their business name and legal structure with the Oklahoma Secretary of State, either electronically or by completing and submitting an appropriate business form, along with the stipulated registration fee, to:

Oklahoma Secretary Of State
421 NW 13th Street
Suite 210
Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Other requirements that may have to be met include obtaining an Employer Identification Number from the IRS, setting up accounts for income taxes and employees' unemployment taxes with the Oklahoma Tax Commission and the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, respectively, and obtaining workers' compensation insurance.

Queries concerning business registration requirements for cleaning companies in Oklahoma City can be directed to the Oklahoma Secretary of State at (405) 522-2520. You can also make inquiries concerning this subject by contacting the Oklahoma Department of Commerce at (405) 815-6552, (405) 815-5218, and toll-free number (800) 879-6552, or by contacting the Business Licensing Office of the Oklahoma City Development Services Department at:

420 W Main Street
8th floor
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone: (405) 297-2606

You should always confirm the business registration status of cleaning companies in Oklahoma City before retaining their services. You can do this via the online search portal that the Oklahoma Secretary of State provides and maintains for this purpose.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Cleaning Services in Oklahoma City?

The United States Bureau of Statistics estimates that cleaning contractors in the Oklahoma City area earn an estimated wage of a little over $13 per hour. However, while many cleaning contractors typically charge hourly fees for their cleaning services, some of these professionals may charge fixed rates or utilize a square footage fee, depending on the nature of the requested cleaning service. Nevertheless, the amount of money that you will have to pay for cleaning services in Oklahoma City depends on several factors, such as:

  • The type of cleaning service that is required
  • The size of the house, office, or building
  • The number of rooms, including bathrooms
  • The urgency of the cleaning job
  • The labor intensity of the cleaning service
  • The types of cleaning products and tools that will be used for the job

You should always consider getting and comparing estimates from at least two or three cleaning contractors in the city before making your final hiring decision. Note that no two estimates will be the same. Nonetheless, the differences in the estimates provided by these cleaning companies should not be very significant, and you should consider it a red flag if any company or contractor gives you an estimate that is markedly different from the others.

Building and grounds cleaning workers in Oklahoma City earn an average wage of $28,050 annually. A comparison of the average hourly wages of workers in Oklahoma City's building and grounds cleaning and maintenance industry against those of workers in the rest of Oklahoma State and five other major cities in the country is provided below:

Oklahoma City Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$13.49
Oklahoma State Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$13.15
Chicago Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$16.44
Houston Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$13.53
Los Angeles Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$18.32
New York City Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$19.09
Phoenix Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$15.26
San Francisco Cleaning Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$21.53
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Types of Cleaning Services Do You Offer?

You should always confirm the types of cleaning services that a cleaning company provides before contracting with them. Doing this provides you with a measure of confidence that you will get value for your money. Cleaning companies in Oklahoma City generally offer an array of cleaning services to homeowners and property managers in the city, and these services include one-time cleaning, same-day cleaning, deep cleaning, recurring cleaning, apartment cleaning, office cleaning, holiday cleaning, and move-out/move-in cleaning. Some of these companies also provide niche services like green cleaning, enhanced disinfection services, and live-in housekeeper and maid services.

Always get confirmation that the cleaning company you intend to hire is equipped to satisfactorily deliver the specific type of cleaning service that you require before retaining their services. It is also a good idea to request references from past clients from them that can validate these claims. Finally, find out exactly how much you will have to pay for these services. Cost ranges for some cleaning services readily provided by cleaning companies in Oklahoma City are listed below:

Graffiti removal and protection (per square foot)
$1.40 - $2.35
Janitorial services (per square foot)
$0.11 - $0.17
Medical office & healthcare facility cleaning services (per square foot)
$0.13 - $0.24
Upholstery and furniture cleaning
$62.95 - $66.65
Cleaning a typical four-bedroom home (per visit)
$83.30 - $92.60
Maid services/home cleaning (per hour)
$25 - $50

Do You Comply with Oklahoma City's COVID-19 Regulations?

Over 193, 693 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Oklahoma County since the onset of the coronavirus. However, as of February 2022, more than 81 percent of residents in the area had received at least one vaccination dose, and the county's new hospital admissions weekly rate had dropped to 25.5 per 100,000 residents. Notwithstanding this, it is essential to ensure that the cleaning company you hire complies with local COVID-19 guidance when performing their duties, as this not only protects you and your loved ones but also guarantees the safety of members of the public as well.

Oklahoma City provides several COVID-19 resources, some of which adopt federal guidance that is aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus in the city by stipulating guidelines, recommendations, and procedures for certain activities, including the cleaning and disinfection of facilities. Some critical areas of these resources that should be adhered to by cleaning companies include using face masks, PPE, and appropriate disinfectants during residential and commercial cleaning and disinfection activities, using suitable cleaning tools for different surfaces, and properly disposing of contaminated items.

You can contact the Oklahoma City Office of Emergency Management's Call Center at (405) 271-0411 or (877) 215-8336 to get additional information on the city's COVID-19 resources. Inquiries on local COVID-19 guidance and resources can also be directed to the Oklahoma City County Health Department at (405) 427-8651.

Do You Provide Commercial Cleaning Services for Non-Residential Buildings in Oklahoma City?

Professional cleaning companies in Oklahoma City typically offer both residential and commercial cleaning services. Commercial cleaning services generally focus on the cleaning, sanitization, and disinfection of commercial spaces, such as offices, medical and healthcare facilities, schools, and commercial kitchens. This type of cleaning typically requires specialized tools as well as cleaners who have been adequately trained in the use of these tools to guarantee optimal hygienic conditions in these spaces.

On the other hand, residential cleaning typically focuses on the cleaning, sanitization, and disinfection of homes and residential dwellings. While this type of cleaning does not typically require specialized tools, cleaners still have to be adequately trained to understand the types of cleaning products and materials suitable for different surfaces commonly found in homes.

Cleaning companies specializing in providing commercial cleaning services in Oklahoma City are not required to obtain any local specific or general business licenses before operating, nor are residential cleaning companies required to do so. Nevertheless, these cleaning companies may be required to obtain state-issued permits from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality before performing certain activities. Such activities typically involve handling, cleaning, or disposing of industrial, municipal, or hazardous waste or using halogenated solvents. You can get information on the requirements and procedures for obtaining state-issued environmental permits by contacting the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality at:

707 N Robinson Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone: (405) 702-0100

Queries can also be directed to this department online or by calling toll-free number 1-800-869-1400.

Do You Engage Unionized Cleaners for Non-Residential Buildings in Oklahoma City?

When searching for a suitable cleaning company to provide recurring cleaning and disinfection services for your commercial building, facility, or property, it is a good idea to find out if the cleaning company is unionized. Cleaners in Oklahoma City generally belong to unions because of this membership's advantages, such as access to reliable healthcare coverage and better wages. Data published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that union cleaners make over $100 more than non-union cleaners every week.

As such, while you may have to pay higher rates for union cleaners, this usually translates into higher productivity and better cleaning services. Other benefits of hiring a union cleaning service include access to adequately trained cleaners and low turnover of cleaners. Note that no laws mandate you to hire union cleaners for commercial cleaning services in Oklahoma City.

Nonetheless, you may face pushback from unions like the AFSCME Oklahoma Local 2406 if you hire a non-union cleaning service for these jobs. In some cases, this pushback can lead to a negative spotlight being shone on your facility as well as a disruption of its services due to strikes and picketing.

Do You Offer Covid-19 Disinfecting Services in Oklahoma City?

In situations where your home or office has been impacted by the coronavirus, you should make sure that the affected areas are professionally cleaned and disinfected as quickly as possible to curtail the spread of the virus. This COVID-19 cleaning and disinfection typically requires a measure of expertise and training that not all cleaning companies are qualified to provide suitably. As such, it is advisable always to let the cleaning company that you contact know your exact reason for doing so and find out from them if they have the appropriate experience, cleaning products, and equipment for the job.

It is equally important to make sure that the cleaning company you hire carries out the decontamination of your home or office per the recommendations of the Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection provided by the CDC. These recommendations include:

  • Using soap and water to remove dirt and germs from visibly dirty surfaces and subsequently using EPA-approved disinfectants against COVID-19 to disinfect these surfaces
  • Wearing gloves, face masks, and other appropriate PPE when carrying out the required cleaning, sanitization, and disinfection activities
  • Following the instructions on the products' labels for cleaners and disinfectants when using them
  • Targeting frequently touched surfaces like tables, handles, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, keyboards, phones, faucets, sinks, and toilets.
  • Ensuring that there is adequate ventilation when using disinfectants
  • Washing hands with soap and water immediately after the cleaning and disinfection

Note that some cleaning products may trigger asthma attacks. As such, it is always in your best interest to let the cleaning company you hire know about any respiratory-related health conditions you may have. You should also consider requesting a list of cleaning products that will be used during the COVID-19 cleaning and disinfection service and ensuring that they do not contain components that you may react to.

What Cleaning Supplies Do You Use?

Using the appropriate cleaning supplies and equipment for a cleaning job ensures the proper cleaning and disinfection of your home or workspace. For example, while cleaning supplies like cleaning cloths, detergents, handheld vacuums, and mops may be suitable for standard house cleanings, they will not be enough to clean industrial facilities properly. There are four main types of cleaning agents that are used by cleaning companies in Oklahoma City, and these are:

  • Detergents
  • Degreasers
  • Abrasives
  • Acids

Detergents come in many forms, including powders, tablets, pastes, cakes, gel, and concentrated liquids. They typically contain soaps or surfactants and can be used for a wide range of residential and commercial cleaning activities. Degreasers are used to remove grease, grime, dirt, oil, and organic stains from hard surfaces, and they are commonly used when cleaning commercial kitchens.

Similarly, abrasives are also used to wear off dirt from hard surfaces like sinks, floors, kitchen, and bathroom surfaces. Abrasives come in powder or liquid form, and they work through scouring action, making them unsuitable for easily scratched surfaces. Acids are used for tough cleaning jobs that involve descaling and removing ingrained grime. Acid cleaning agents can be dangerous and highly corrosive and should always be handled with extreme care.

In addition to the aforementioned cleaning agents, your cleaning job may also require cleaning products like sanitizers and disinfectants to ensure the proper elimination of microorganisms and prevent cross-contamination. This is usually the case in cleaning jobs that involve medical and healthcare facilities. To this end, before finalizing any hiring arrangements with a cleaning company in Oklahoma City, find out the types of cleaning supplies that they intend to use for the execution of your cleaning service and ensure that these supplies are appropriate for the job.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Cleaners in Oklahoma City?

Hiring an insured and bonded cleaning company insulates you from out-of-pocket expenses and potential lawsuits in the event of detrimental work-related events occurring during your cleaning job. These detrimental events typically include property damage caused by the cleaners and on-the-job accidents and injuries. Cleaners generally face several on-the-job hazards, including exposure to dangerous chemicals and falls due to wet surfaces. It is estimated that approximately 57 occupational fatal injuries and 44,860 nonfatal occupational injuries occurred amongst building cleaning workers across the United States in 2020.

As such, when contracting with a cleaning company in Oklahoma City, you should always confirm the company provides adequate insurance coverage for its cleaners. This insurance coverage should include general liability insurance to cover property damage and bodily injury and employee dishonesty insurance or fidelity bonding to cover employee theft.

Note that, per state requirements, cleaning companies in Oklahoma City are also generally required to provide workers' compensation insurance coverage for their employees, and failure to do this can result in fines of up to $1,000 per day. However, exemptions are made for cleaning companies with no more than five employees, all of whom are related by blood or marriage.

Request proof of insurance coverage from your intended cleaning company in the form of insurance certificates and bond certificates where necessary, and validate these certificates with the appropriate issuing organization. You can also get additional information on state-mandated workers' compensation insurance requirements and exemptions by contacting the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission at:

1915 North Stiles Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone: (405) 522-3222

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Cleaner in Oklahoma City

Cleaning service scams are an unfortunate occurrence in Oklahoma City, and con artists and unscrupulous cleaners are constantly looking to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners and property managers who require the services of a professional cleaning company in the city. In October 2021, local channel News 9 reported that post-severe storm cleaning and home repair scams in the area were on the rise, with con artists preying on the urgency of the required services to obtain money from homeowners deceptively.

The Oklahoma Attorney General had earlier issued an alert warning about the dangers of scams in the wake of disastrous weather events and urged residents to proceed with caution when hiring professionals to clean up after these disasters.

Some common scam tactics utilized by unscrupulous cleaners in Oklahoma City include:

  • Offering incredibly low rates for cleaning services to bait unsuspecting homeowners and then pressuring these homeowners to pay for additional, and usually unnecessary, services once they have been hired
  • Billing for a particular type of cleaning and then switching to a more expensive cleaning method once the work commences by claiming that the former method would not be able to get the job done appropriately
  • Insisting on complete payment or significant advance payment before starting the cleaning job and then performing a sloppily done job or failing to provide any cleaning services at all

Listed below are tips and precautionary steps that can help you avoid falling prey to unscrupulous cleaners and con artists in Oklahoma City:

  • Do not hire unsolicited cleaners. Get referrals to professional cleaning companies in the city by reaching out to friends and relatives, or via online sources like the Better Business Bureau.
  • Confirm the business registration status of the cleaning company whose services you wish to retain. This can be done online or by contacting the Oklahoma Secretary of State at (405) 522-2520
  • Always get estimates from multiple cleaning companies in the city and compare these estimates before making your hiring decision.
  • Make sure that the cleaning company's employees are adequately insured and that the company has also properly vetted any cleaners that will be personally involved in your cleaning job
  • Avoid cleaners that do not have local contact numbers or addresses
  • Request no less than three verifiable local references from cleaning companies before retaining their services
  • Avoid cash transactions
  • Make sure that you are given a written contract for the job that clearly states its cost, the type of cleaning services to be provided, the types of cleaning supplies to be used for the job, and a payment schedule for the work done
  • Never let payments get ahead of the job. Do not make full payment upfront nor advance payments that exceed 10-20% of the job's total cost

You can report cleaning service scams and other cleaning company-related consumer matters by completing and submitting a Consumer Complaint Form, along with any relevant supporting documents, to the Consumer Protection Unit of the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office. Submissions can be made via email or by mail-in to:

Oklahoma Attorney General's Office
Consumer Protection Unit
313 NE 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Note that the subject of submissions made via email should read œComplaint. Queries concerning this office's consumer complaint submission process can be directed to (405) 521-2029 or toll-free number 1-833-681-1895. This office is estimated to return tens of thousands of dollars in refunds to aggrieved consumers across the state annually. However, there is no guarantee that you will get a refund or receive a satisfactory outcome after filing a consumer complaint with the Consumer Protection Unit of the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office.

Nonetheless, you can take additional steps to get your preferred outcome by filing a small claims lawsuit against the subject of your complaint, provided that the amount in contention does not exceed $10,000. Queries concerning these types of lawsuits can be directed to the Oklahoma County District Court's Small Claims Department at (405) 713-1737. It is also in your best interest to get legal advice from a licensed attorney before taking any type of court action. You can find attorneys in Oklahoma City via the Find a Lawyer platform provided by the Oklahoma Bar Association.