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How Much Money Can You REALLY Make Cleaning Ovens? | The Truth About Earnings, Repeat Customers & Business Growth
18 Plays15 days ago
How much money can you really make cleaning ovens?
It’s one of the most common questions we hear, and in this episode of The Oven Cleaning Podcast, Ian shares the honest answer.
Forget the social media hype, unrealistic promises and so-called overnight success stories. Oven cleaning isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a practical, sustainable business that can create a reliable income, repeat customers and, most importantly, more control over your life.
Ian shares his own journey from the corporate world to building Oven Loving, including why he initially charged just £48 per clean, how his first paid job took more than three hours to complete, and the moment he realised this was becoming much more than a job.
You’ll discover why beginners should focus on reaching their first £100 day instead of chasing unrealistic earnings, how experienced oven cleaners can realistically earn between £300 and £400 per day, and why repeat customers are the secret to building predictable income.
This episode also explores the real costs of running an oven cleaning business, from fuel, van maintenance and equipment to the unexpected challenges every business owner faces.
Ian explains why new oven cleaners often make the mistake of charging too little, the differences between running an independent business and joining a franchise, and how simple systems and automation can help create a business that works around your life.
You’ll also hear why repeat customers make the job easier over time. With returning clients, you know the type of oven, the condition it’s likely to be in and how long the job will take. With new customers, you never quite know what’s waiting behind the oven door.
In this episode, we cover:
• Realistic earnings for beginner and experienced oven cleaners
• How many ovens a full-time operator can clean in a day
• The true costs of running an oven cleaning business
• Why repeat customers are worth their weight in gold
• The biggest pricing mistakes new oven cleaners make
• Franchises versus independent businesses
• The hidden benefits of working for yourself
• Building a team and growing beyond a single van
• Why simple businesses often create extraordinary lifestyles
Whether you’re looking for a side hustle, researching self-employment opportunities, considering a franchise, or simply curious about the oven cleaning industry, this episode provides an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a successful business.
Because oven cleaning isn’t just about cleaning ovens.
It’s about creating more freedom, more flexibility and more time for the things that matter most.
If you enjoy the episode, make sure you follow and subscribe to The Oven Cleaning Podcast for more real-world insights into the oven cleaning industry, including training, marketing, pricing, equipment, customer service and business growth.
To learn more before investing your hard-earned money, visit:
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to the Oven Cleaning Podcast
00:00:00
Speaker
Welcome to the Oven Cleaning Podcast with me, Ian and Tina. This is the podcast where we talk all things oven cleaning, business, freedom and building something for yourself. Because when you really get into this industry, you realise it's not just about cleaning ovens.
00:00:16
Speaker
So let's get into today's episode.
Financial Viability of Oven Cleaning
00:00:36
Speaker
How much money can you really make cleaning ovens? Now, this is probably one of the questions we get asked more than any other. How much money can you actually make cleaning ovens? And honestly, i completely understand why people ask it.
00:00:51
Speaker
Because when most people first hear about oven cleaning as a business, their first thought usually isn't, well, there must be loads of money in that. It's normally more like, surely nobody makes a proper living cleaning ovens.
00:01:03
Speaker
And to be fair, a few years ago, I probably would have thought exactly the same thing. Because like most people, I massively underestimated this industry. I think people hear oven cleaning and immediately imagine a little side hustle.
00:01:18
Speaker
Pocket money or some kind of temporary job. But the reality can be very different. Now, before we go any further... I want to be really honest in this episode because I never want this podcast to drift into fantasy land internet business advice. You know the type people online claiming they make millions overnight, work three hours a week, sit on beaches with laptops. That's not this. This is a real business. A practical business and practical businesses can make very good money, but they still require effort, consistency, patience, and time.
00:01:51
Speaker
And honestly, I'm I think that's actually a good thing because sustainable businesses are usually built slowly, not overnight.
Pricing Mistakes and Earnings Potential
00:01:58
Speaker
Now, when I first started, I charged around £48 for a clean, which looking back now was way too cheap.
00:02:06
Speaker
But I think a lot of people do that in the beginning. You undercharge because you lack confidence. You're nervous. You feel inexperienced and you just want people to book in. I think that's a very natural stage.
00:02:16
Speaker
but it's also one of the biggest mistakes new oven cleaners make. Charging too little. Because if you charge too little, you end up working incredibly hard for very little reward.
00:02:27
Speaker
And eventually, you burn out. Now today, our pricing is very different. And realistically, A good experienced oven cleaner can earn somewhere between £300 and £400 per day, sometimes more, sometimes less, but that's a realistic ballpark. Now, obviously, that depends on your area, your pricing, your systems, your reputation, and how efficient you become, but the opportunity is absolutely there.
00:02:51
Speaker
And here's something important. When you first start, your goal shouldn't be, I want to make £400 immediately. That mindset actually overwhelms people.
00:03:02
Speaker
The goal at the beginning is much simpler. Get to £100 a day consistently. That's it. Small targets. Easy wins. Momentum. Because once you prove to yourself that, a hang on, people will actually pay me for this.
00:03:16
Speaker
Everything changes mentally. And honestly, I still remember my very first paid oven clean. I was nervous. Really nervous. Not because the customer was difficult. But because I cared, I wanted to do a brilliant job.
00:03:29
Speaker
And what's funny now is that oven probably took me around three hours to clean. An oven that would now probably take me an hour, maybe an hour and a half at most. But that's how every business starts. Slowly, awkwardly, you learn through repetition.
00:03:45
Speaker
And I think that's important for people listening to understand. Nobody starts efficient. Nobody starts perfect. What's amazing is that very first customer still books in today for her six monthly oven clean. So I must have done something right.
00:03:57
Speaker
And I definitely had moments early on where I thought, I don't think this is going to work. Because at the beginning, I genuinely thought, maybe I can only ever make £100 doing this.
00:04:09
Speaker
when you're looking at van costs, fuel, equipment, products, insurance, marketing, that can feel quite
Startup Costs and Business Challenges
00:04:16
Speaker
scary. Now startup costs in this industry can vary massively. You could start relatively lean or depending on your route, you might invest £30,000, even £50,000, especially if you go down the franchise route with vehicles, branding and equipment included. And people don't always realise how variable business costs can be.
00:04:35
Speaker
Fuel prices fluctuate constantly. Van repairs happen, products go up in price, equipment breaks, and then there's the unexpected stuff. You know, what do you do when something goes wrong? Because eventually, something always goes wrong in business. That's just reality. And I think it's important people hear that honestly.
00:04:52
Speaker
Because social media sometimes makes business ownership look incredibly glamorous. But most real business owners will tell you, some weeks feel amazing. and other weeks you feel like your van is personally trying to bankrupt you.
00:05:04
Speaker
That's part of it.
Choosing Between Independent or Franchise
00:05:05
Speaker
Now one question I get asked a lot is, should I go independent or franchise? And honestly, I think both can work. But personally, I think franchising can often be the safer investment for beginners.
00:05:17
Speaker
Because you're leaning on experience. You're not figuring absolutely everything out yourself. You've got systems, support, guidance, branding, proven methods. Now obviously, that comes at a cost.
00:05:30
Speaker
But there's definitely value in reducing mistakes early on because mistakes in business can be expensive. Now, another thing people ask is, when should I go full time? And honestly, this is just my opinion.
00:05:42
Speaker
But I think eventually you have to fully commit to something if you want it to grow properly. That doesn't mean being reckless, but businesses grow when energy goes into them consistently.
00:05:53
Speaker
Now, can people start part-time? Absolutely. And actually, think that's a brilliant way to begin. Evening appointments are popular. Weekend appointments are popular. So people can absolutely build this alongside another income initially, but there usually comes a point where momentum builds, confidence grows, customer demand increases, and you realize, right, I need to back myself now.
Importance of Repeat Business
00:06:16
Speaker
Now here's something else I think people massively underestimate about oven cleaning. Repeat business. Honestly, this changes everything because once you build a decent customer base, your income becomes much more predictable.
00:06:30
Speaker
Customers come back again and again and again. And eventually you stop constantly chasing brand new customers every week. You've got returning clients, people recommending you. That's when it starts feeling like your proper business.
00:06:45
Speaker
And for me personally, That moment probably came around the one year mark. That was when I realised, hang on, I could actually put another van on the road here. And that changes your thinking completely.
00:06:58
Speaker
Because suddenly, you stop thinking, how do I survive? And start thinking, how big could this actually become? And today, we genuinely have demand for multiple vans. Probably around five in one small area if we wanted to scale aggressively.
00:07:13
Speaker
And honestly, that still feels strange to say out loud sometimes. because none of this existed years ago. It started with one van, one person, one customer at a time, and I think that's important for people listening.
00:07:25
Speaker
Businesses rarely appear fully formed. They grow gradually. Now, in terms of income ceilings, there probably is a limit if you're only ever selling your own personal time. Realistically, £400-ish a day is a strong day for a solo operator, but there are exceptions. I remember doing work at a school once, more than 20 ovens in one location, and we earned around £2,000 in a day.
00:07:48
Speaker
Now, obviously, that's not everyday reality, but it shows what's possible with commercial opportunities in scale. And that's another thing people don't always
Exploring Non-Domestic Opportunities
00:07:56
Speaker
think about. This industry isn't just single domestic ovens.
00:07:59
Speaker
There's schools, landlords, commercial kitchens, holiday parks, rental properties. There are opportunities everywhere once you start looking properly. Now, can somebody replace their salary doing this?
00:08:10
Speaker
Absolutely. I genuinely believe someone could build £40,000 ah forty thousand pounds £50,000 and eventually £100,000 plus or even larger business if they approach it properly.
00:08:23
Speaker
Especially once you improve efficiency, build repeat customers, increase pricing, improve systems and potentially build a team. Now here's the bit I think matters most though, because yes.
Emotional vs Financial Benefits
00:08:35
Speaker
money matters. Of course it does. But honestly, the emotional changes mattered more to me. Less stress, more freedom, more confidence, more family time, more control.
00:08:46
Speaker
That was the real win. Because suddenly, I wasn't asking permission to live my life. Stuck in endless traffic, chained to emails late at night. And weirdly,
00:08:57
Speaker
The simplicity of the business became one of the biggest positives. You clean ovens, you help people, you get paid. There's something refreshing about that. And another hidden advantage people don't expect, talking to customers, meeting people, hearing stories, being part of your local
Social Media Visibility and Challenges
00:09:12
Speaker
community.
00:09:12
Speaker
I genuinely enjoy that side of the business. Now, social media. That's another interesting one. Can it bring business? Absolutely. Loads of it. But honestly, it can also bring loads of time wasters.
00:09:23
Speaker
That's just reality. You'll get endless questions. Price shoppers, people wanting miracles for £20. But overall, social media is massively important now, especially for trust, visibility, before and afters, local awareness. And honestly, people love seeing transformations.
00:09:41
Speaker
Now, if somebody is listening to this right now, sitting sitting in traffic, Stressed? Missing family life? Wondering if there's more to life than this? What would I honestly say to them?
00:09:52
Speaker
I'd say this. You don't necessarily need some revolutionary business idea. You don't need to invent an app. You don't need to become the next billionaire. Sometimes a simple business done properly can completely change your life.
00:10:03
Speaker
And I think people massively underestimate that now. Because online, everyone's chasing flashy. But in the real world, simple businesses often quietly win.
00:10:14
Speaker
Now, does oven cleaning solve every problem in life? Of course not.
Personal Gains from the Business
00:10:18
Speaker
But for me personally, it gave me more freedom, more confidence, more control, more time with my family and a business I'm genuinely proud of.
00:10:26
Speaker
And honestly, that's worth a lot more than people realise.
00:10:34
Speaker
If you've been listening to this episode and wondering whether an oven cleaning business could be right for you before you invest thousands of pounds in equipment, training or a franchise, take a look at the Oven Cleaning Training Academy.
00:10:47
Speaker
We've created practical online training designed to give you a genuine insight into the industry from equipment and products to pricing, marketing, customer service, and the realities of running your own oven cleaning business. No hype,
00:11:02
Speaker
No unrealistic promises, just honest advice from people who do this every
Oven Cleaning Training Academy Promotion
00:11:06
Speaker
day. So if you'd like to explore whether this industry could work for visit www.ovencleaningtrainingacademy.co.uk.
00:11:16
Speaker
That's www.ovencleaningtrainingacademy.co.uk. Now let's get back to the episode.
Can You Make a Full-Time Living?
00:11:34
Speaker
Frequently Asked Questions. So today's frequently asked question is one we hear all the time and it's a simple one. Can you actually make a full-time living cleaning ovens?
00:11:46
Speaker
The short answer, absolutely, but probably not in the way most people think because this isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. You're not going to buy a van on Monday and retire by Friday. What you're building is a sustainable business and like any business, it takes time.
00:12:00
Speaker
It takes consistency. When you're starting out, don't focus on earning £400 a day straight away. Focus on getting to your first £100 day consistently. then £200, then £300. Build your skills, build your confidence, build your customer base, and most importantly, build your reputation.
00:12:19
Speaker
Because the real magic in this industry isn't just the first clean, it's the repeat business. Once customers trust you, they come back again. and again And over time, your income becomes far more predictable.
00:12:34
Speaker
You know when repeat customers are due. You know what ovens they have. You know roughly how long each job will take. With new customers, you've got no idea what you're walking into. But repeat customers make your days easier to plan and easier to manage. Now, realistically, an experienced oven cleaner can earn between £300 and £400 Some less, some days some days more And there are opportunities to grow beyond that by building a team, adding more vans or taking on commercial work. So yes, you can absolutely make a full-time living cleaning ovens.
00:13:09
Speaker
The better question is, and what kind of life do you want that income to create? And that was today's. Frequently Asked Questions.
00:13:19
Speaker
So if you've enjoyed today's episode, make sure you follow and subscribe to the Oven Cleaning Podcast, because over the next few episodes, we're going much deeper into getting customers, pricing, marketing, equipment, mistakes, training, and what this industry is really like behind the scenes.
00:13:38
Speaker
And if you're curious about getting started yourself, We've also created online training designed to give people a proper insight into the industry before investing thousands of pounds of hard-earned money.
00:13:49
Speaker
Thanks for listening and we'll see you in the next episode.