Asset finance

Cleaning equipment finance for contract and commercial cleaners

Fund scrubber dryers, carpet extractors, pressure washers and pure water systems on hire purchase or lease, and see what lenders want from cleaning firms.

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Amount: From £10,000 to £20 millionLarger amounts through secured, property and asset-based finance
Security: Secured or unsecuredOptions compared for your case
Suitable businesses: Sole traders to limited companiesPartnerships and LLPs too
Lender panel: 300+ lendersWhole-of-market search

In short

Hire purchase suits robust cleaning machines you will run for years, such as ride-on scrubbers or van-mounted pure water systems, because you own them at the end.

Leasing suits kit that wears out fast or is needed only for one contract, since the lease can end when the contract does. Lenders give real weight to signed cleaning contracts, which show how the equipment will pay for itself.

About cleaning equipment finance

Cleaning equipment finance lets a contract cleaner.

Cleaning equipment finance lets a contract cleaner, window cleaner or facilities business spread the cost of scrubber dryers, sweepers, carpet extractors, pressure washers and pure water systems over monthly payments instead of paying upfront. It helps when a new contract needs kit before the first invoice is paid. Smart Funding Solutions is a broker, not a lender: we look across our lender panel for equipment finance that fits your contracts and cash flow.

Funding needs

What cleaning equipment can be financed

Most lenders will finance new equipment from established suppliers, and many will consider used equipment depending on its age and value.

Scrubber dryers and ride-on floor scrubbers
Commercial vacuums, sweepers and floor polishers
Carpet and upholstery extraction machines
Steam cleaners, fogging and sanitising equipment
Pressure washers and hot water jet washers
Water-fed pole and pure water systems for window cleaning
Floor dryers and drying equipment
Vans, trailers and vehicle-mounted systems

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Finance options for cleaning businesses

Hire purchase

You pay a deposit and fixed monthly instalments, and own the machine once the final payment is made. It suits robust kit you will run for years, such as ride-on scrubbers or van-mounted systems. You may be able to claim capital allowances. VAT is usually paid upfront with the deposit; VAT-registered businesses reclaim it through their VAT return.

Leasing

The lender owns the equipment and you rent it for a fixed term with low upfront costs. Leasing suits machines that take a hammering and need replacing regularly, or kit tied to a specific contract length, so the lease can end when the contract does. Rentals are generally treated as a business expense.

Business loans

If you are buying from several suppliers, kitting out a new unit or mobilising a large contract, an unsecured business loan can cover the whole package. Directors usually give a personal guarantee.

Funding a growing cleaning business

Commercial cleaning contracts often pay monthly in arrears, while wages are due weekly. As you win more contracts, that gap grows. Invoice finance releases cash from unpaid invoices to business customers, and working capital funding can cover mobilisation costs such as uniforms, consumables and extra staff. Vans can be funded through van finance.

Underwriting

What lenders look at for cleaning businesses

Contracts and customers

signed cleaning contracts, their length and who the customers are show how the equipment will earn its keep.

Trading history and bank statements

steady monthly income and well-run accounts matter more than any single figure.

Credit history

of the business and, for sole traders and small companies, the owners.

The equipment and supplier

recognised brands from established dealers hold value better.

Deposit

newer businesses may be asked for a larger contribution or a short business plan.

Documents usually requested are the supplier's quote, recent bank statements, the latest accounts or tax returns, ID for the owners and, where relevant, copies of key contracts.

Sole traders are common in cleaning. Finance of £25,000 or less to sole traders and small partnerships can be regulated consumer credit, which carries additional protections.

Side by side

Compare your options

How the main business finance structures work. Lenders set their own terms, so treat this as a guide to the questions to ask.

Option	How you repay	Security	Often used for
Unsecured business loan	Fixed instalments, usually monthly	No charge over assets; a personal guarantee is usually required	Growth, stock, tax bills and cash flow
Secured business loan	Fixed instalments, often over a longer term	A charge over property or other assets	Larger sums, property and refinancing
Revolving credit facility	Interest on what you draw; repay and redraw	Varies by lender and case	Recurring or uneven cash flow gaps
Merchant cash advance	A share of future card takings	No charge over assets	Card-taking businesses with uneven months
Asset finance	Regular payments over the life of the asset	The asset being financed	Equipment, vehicles and machinery
Invoice finance	Settled as customers pay their invoices	Your unpaid invoices	Businesses waiting on customer payment

General information only. Every lender has its own criteria, and all finance is subject to status.

Hire purchase or leasing?

	Hire purchase	Leasing
Ownership	Yours at the end	Stays with the lender
Upfront cost	Deposit, often plus VAT	Usually lower
Tax treatment	Capital allowances may apply	Rentals generally an expense
Upgrading	Sell or part-exchange	At the end of the term

Your accountant can confirm the tax position for your business.

Comparing finance offers

Total cost: compare the total amount payable, not just the monthly payment
Term: a longer term lowers payments but usually increases total interest; match it to the equipment's working life
Fixed or variable: most equipment finance is fixed, which helps budgeting
Fees and end-of-term costs: check documentation fees, option-to-purchase fees and any early settlement charges
Maintenance and insurance: you are usually responsible for both, so budget for them

How we arrange cleaning equipment finance

Tell us what you needthe equipment, the supplier quote and the contracts it will serve.
Pick a structurewe weigh hire purchase, leasing or a loan against the machine's working life and your contract terms.
Approach lenderswe go to lenders on our panel that fund cleaning and facilities equipment.
Review the terms with youtotal cost, deposit, fees and end-of-term options side by side.
Decision and deliverythe lender underwrites and decides, then usually pays the supplier once you sign.

It is free to enquire; any broker fee is disclosed separately before you proceed. To get started, apply online with your supplier's quote.

FAQs

Questions clients ask

Can a sole trader window cleaner get cleaning equipment finance?

Yes, sole traders can get cleaning equipment finance, and they are common in the cleaning sector. Lenders look at bank statements, tax returns, the owner's credit history and the contracts the kit will serve. Finance of £25,000 or less to sole traders and small partnerships can be regulated consumer credit, which carries additional protections. Our page on sole trader loans covers other borrowing options.

Can I finance used cleaning machines?

Yes, many lenders will finance used cleaning equipment, depending on its age, condition and expected value. A scrubber dryer or pure water system bought from an established dealer with a known history is easier to fund than an older private sale. Terms on used kit may be shorter, and a larger deposit can be asked for. Our guide to used equipment finance explains how lenders assess second-hand assets.

How long does cleaning equipment finance take to arrange?

Cleaning equipment finance can often be arranged within a few working days in straightforward cases, once the lender has the supplier quote, recent bank statements and accounts or tax returns. Larger amounts, used kit, newer businesses or complex credit histories can take longer because lenders ask more questions. Having copies of your key cleaning contracts ready helps show how the equipment will earn its keep.

Is it better to finance cleaning equipment or pay cash?

It depends on your cash flow and how quickly the equipment pays for itself. Paying cash avoids interest, but finance keeps money free for wages, consumables and mobilising new contracts, which often pay monthly in arrears. Compare the total amount payable, not just the monthly cost, and match the term to the machine's working life. Your accountant can advise on the tax treatment of each route.

Official guidance

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