How to Start a Cleaning Product Line (Step-by-Step)
By James Dudra – Founder of Filling Factory | 20+ Years of Product Development Experience
Starting a cleaning product line can feel like trying to drink from a firehose. Between product development, packaging, manufacturing, and compliance, there’s a lot to get right — and a lot that can go sideways fast.
But with the right roadmap, it’s totally doable. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a seasoned entrepreneur branching into cleaning products, this guide will walk you through every key step — from concept to shelf.
Table of Contents
- 1. Define Your Segment
- 2. Establish Your Brand
- 3. Choose a Hero SKU
- 4. Decide How You’ll Manufacture
- 5. Secure Your Formula
- 6. Plan Your Packaging Early
- 7. Design Labels & Ensure Compliance
- 8. Coordinate Production
- 9. Final Steps: Safety, Compliance, and Insurance
- Key Takeaways
- Final Thoughts
1. Define Your Segment
Before you mix a single batch or sketch a label, get clear on your target segment. Are you launching a household spray? An industrial degreaser? A boutique line of eco-friendly car cleaners?
Three major categories to consider:
- Household: Kitchen, bathroom, all-purpose cleaners
- Automotive: Interior detailers, wheel/tire cleaners, ceramic sprays
- Industrial/Commercial: Janitorial supplies, institutional cleaners, bulk formats
Each niche has different standards, buying behavior, and distribution channels. A household product might need eye-catching packaging for Target shelves. A commercial product might require EPA registration and drums instead of bottles.
Pro Tip: This decision impacts everything — formulation, packaging, compliance, even how you market and sell.
2. Establish Your Brand
You don’t need a million-dollar brand identity to get started — but you do need the basics locked down:
- Name + Domain: Choose a name with an available .com and clear trademark path. Run a USPTO trademark search.
- Logo + Visual Identity: Use freelancers or platforms like 99designs or Upwork to create your logo and brand system.
- Trademark Check (Again): Skip this and you risk cease-and-desist letters. Always confirm availability.
A solid brand foundation will save you from major rework down the line — and help you show up consistently across packaging, web, and retail.
3. Choose a Hero SKU
Don’t try to launch with five products. Start with one hero SKU — the one thing you want to be known for.
Examples:
- Clorox → Bleach
- Dawn → Dish Soap
Your hero product should solve a clear problem and be easy to describe in one sentence. It helps build trust with early customers and simplifies everything — manufacturing, inventory, marketing.
4. Decide How You’ll Manufacture
Two main paths:
A) Use a Co-Packer
- Fastest way to scale
- Use their staff, equipment, and sometimes even stock formulas
- Must meet their MOQs (minimum order quantities)
B) Manufacture In-House
- Great for bootstrapping and small runs
- Gives full control
- Requires equipment, space, and safety processes
Be honest about your budget and resources. If you're testing demand, self-manufacturing might be the way to go. If you’ve got retail contracts, co-packers can get you to market faster.
5. Secure Your Formula
Two options:
Use a Co-Packer’s Stock Formula
- Fastest route to market
- Low development cost
- But not proprietary — other brands can use the same formula
Hire a Formulator to Create a Custom Formula
- 100% ownership and flexibility
- Requires more time and budget
- Needs testing and regulatory support
Make sure your formulator can handle:
- Stability + compatibility testing
- Ingredient disclosure with CAS numbers
- Claims substantiation and compliance
- Certifications like USDA BioPreferred or SaferChoice
6. Plan Your Packaging Early
Packaging isn’t just about aesthetics — it impacts costs, production, storage, and shipping.
- Budget: Start with stock bottles and sprayers unless you can meet 50k+ unit MOQs
- Formula Compatibility: Test packaging for reactivity before scaling
- Sales Channel Requirements: Case packs differ for Amazon vs. retail stores
Get samples early and validate every component — closures, seals, sprayers, labels.
7. Design Labels & Ensure Compliance
Once you have your packaging, get the dieline file from your supplier and work with a designer who understands regulatory and retail layout standards.
Compliance Checklist:
- Meets CPSC, FTC, and EPA guidelines
- Truthful, substantiated claims (especially for "green" terms)
- Legally required warnings and formatting
If you’re unsure about what’s allowed, hire a regulatory consultant or legal expert. Compliance mistakes can be expensive.
8. Coordinate Production
If Using a Co-Packer:
- Confirm material sourcing (bottles, caps, labels, raw ingredients)
- Track lead times and follow up weekly
- Attend first production run, if possible
If Manufacturing In-House:
- Create a clean, organized workspace
- Implement PPE and sanitation protocols
- Refine your bottling, labeling, and shipping workflows
This is where the idea becomes reality. Attention to detail matters — from lot codes to packing orientation.
9. Final Steps: Safety, Compliance, and Insurance
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Required for B2B sales and online transparency
- Liability Insurance: Protect your company and assets
- Ingredient Disclosure: California’s SB-258 mandates online ingredient transparency — more states are adopting similar laws
Key Takeaways
- 🎯 Focus on one hero product to start
- ⚖️ Choose your manufacturing model based on resources and growth plans
- 🧪 Be meticulous about formulation, packaging, and compliance
- 🔐 Own your formula if you want long-term flexibility
- 🛡️ Don’t skip safety and regulatory safeguards — they protect your brand
Final Thoughts
Launching a cleaning product line is a serious undertaking — but incredibly rewarding when done right. You’ll face tough decisions, learn quickly, and build something that reflects your values and vision.
Need help getting started? I offer a free 20-minute consultation to serious founders. Whether you need formulation advice, co-packer referrals, or just a sanity check, I’m here to help.