Cleaning Worker Tax Deductions — Handy and TaskRabbit 2026 Guide

Cleaning Supplies — Schedule C Line 22

Cleaning supplies purchased for client jobs are among the most straightforward deductions available to independent cleaners. If you buy your own supplies — rather than using what clients provide — everything you spend is deductible.

• All-purpose and surface-specific cleaners — bathroom cleaners, kitchen degreasers, glass cleaner. Buy in bulk to reduce per-job cost. Amazon offers multi-packs of professional cleaning concentrates. Browse cleaning supplies on Amazon.
• Microfiber cloths and scrubbing pads — the workhorse of professional cleaning. A set of 24 microfiber cloths typically costs $12–$20 and lasts for dozens of jobs when laundered properly. Browse microfiber cloths on Amazon.
• Rubber gloves and disposable gloves — worn exclusively for work and clearly a business expense. $8–$20 for a supply.
• Toilet brushes, scrubbers, and grout brushes — supplies you go through regularly. Fully deductible.
• Spray bottles and dispensers — for mixing concentrates at job sites. $10–$20 for a set. Fully deductible.
• Mop heads, replacement pads, and dusters — consumable supplies that are clearly ordinary and necessary for your work.

Cleaning Equipment — Schedule C Line 22 or Line 13

Larger equipment purchases are also deductible, either in full under the de minimis safe harbor (items under $2,500) or via depreciation for higher-cost items:

• Portable vacuum cleaners — a cordless or compact vacuum for client homes. $50–$200 depending on model. Browse portable vacuums on Amazon.
• Steam cleaners — versatile for grout, tile, and surface sanitization. $40–$120 on Amazon. Browse steam cleaners on Amazon.
• Mop and bucket systems — professional spin mops, flat mops, and self-wringing systems. $25–$60. Browse mop sets on Amazon.
• Supply caddy or tote — for carrying supplies between rooms and between clients. $15–$35.

Vehicle and Mileage — Schedule C Line 9

If you drive to client locations — which most independent cleaners do — mileage is often the largest single deduction on your return. In 2026, the IRS standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile.

Track every mile you drive between clients, to a supply store for a job-related purchase, and between your first and last client of the day. The drive from home to your first client and from your last client home is considered commuting and is not deductible. A mileage tracking app makes this automatic.

Uniforms and Work Clothing — Schedule C Line 22

Clothing is deductible only if it is not suitable for everyday personal use. A plain shirt you could wear casually does not qualify. But:

• Branded polo shirts with your business name or logo — deductible
• Work aprons worn only on the job — deductible
• Non-slip work shoes required for safety on wet floors — a gray area, but often deductible with documentation
• Knee pads used for detailed floor work — deductible

Phone — Schedule C Lines 22 and 25

• Business portion of your monthly phone bill — Line 25
• Phone mount (if you drive between clients) — Line 22
• Portable charger for on-site use — Line 22

Platform Fees — Schedule C Line 10

Handy, TaskRabbit, and similar platforms take a commission on every booking. That commission is a deductible business expense — you are paying it to access clients, which is a legitimate cost of doing business. It goes on Line 10 (Commissions and fees) of your Schedule C.

What Cleaning Workers Cannot Deduct

• Supplies purchased for your own home cleaning
• Regular clothing that could be worn casually
• Meals and coffee for yourself during the workday (not deductible on Schedule C)
• Commuting miles from home to first client and from last client home

How Much Can a Cleaning Worker Save?

For an independent cleaner earning $30,000–$55,000 per year in California, effective tax savings on deductible purchases run approximately 26–30 cents per dollar — across SE tax, federal income tax, and state income tax.

Estimates based on the 12% federal bracket, 15.3% SE tax, and California state income tax.