Housekeeping operates across domestic, commercial, and institutional settings, representing a substantial segment of the modern economy. The function of maintaining cleanliness and order is fundamental to commerce, hospitality, and healthcare. Understanding its classification requires distinguishing between independent service providers and internal departments of larger organizations.
Defining the Scope of Housekeeping Services
Professional housekeeping involves the routine cleaning, sanitation, and organization of occupied interior spaces. This service focuses on the continuous maintenance of environments, ranging from basic surface cleaning and dusting to specialized disinfection protocols. The goal is to ensure a consistently habitable, safe, and presentable environment for occupants.
The core service manages cleanliness logistics, allowing organizations to focus on their primary activities. This definition excludes services such as pest control, landscaping, or major building maintenance, which are categorized separately. Professional housekeeping services are generally executed on a recurring, contractual basis, establishing a steady demand across various sectors.
Primary Classification: The Business Support Services Sector
When operating as an independent entity, the housekeeping industry is primarily classified within the Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services sector. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) designates most independent housekeeping and janitorial firms under code 561720, titled Janitorial Services. This classification encompasses maid services, residential cleaning, and large-scale commercial janitorial contracts.
Companies in this sector offer services like interior building cleaning, washroom sanitation, and window cleaning on a fee or contract basis. The classification is based on the establishment’s primary activity, meaning a company whose majority revenue comes from cleaning services falls under this code. This sector facilitates the smooth operation of client facilities without being directly involved in the client’s main business function.
Major Operational Segments
The primary janitorial services industry is divided into two major segments that differ significantly in their business models and clientele. The commercial segment accounts for the vast majority of the industry’s revenue, often exceeding 89% of the total janitorial market.
Residential Cleaning Services
Residential cleaning, often called maid service, uses a business-to-consumer (B2C) model serving homeowners and renters. These operations typically involve smaller, localized companies focusing on personalized service. The work consists of routine tasks like vacuuming, dusting, and disinfecting kitchens and bathrooms. Residential firms have a lower barrier to entry regarding equipment, and contracts are usually flexible, with service predominantly performed during daytime hours.
Commercial and Institutional Services
Commercial and institutional services operate on a business-to-business (B2B) model, providing janitorial support to offices, schools, retail spaces, and government buildings. This segment is dominated by contract bidding and requires specialized industrial-grade equipment for large areas. The cleaning schedule is often non-traditional, with work frequently performed at night or on weekends when the facility is unoccupied. Contracts involve rigorous adherence to scope-of-work documents and often include specialized services like hard-floor maintenance and post-construction cleanup.
Housekeeping as an Internal Function in the Hospitality Sector
Housekeeping within the hospitality industry, particularly in hotels and resorts, is classified as an internal department within the larger Accommodation sector (NAICS code 721110, Traveler Accommodation). This function is directly tied to the hotel’s core revenue generation, as a room cannot be sold until it is cleaned and certified.
The operational focus is on rapid room turnaround, guest satisfaction, and maintaining aesthetic standards. Tasks include guest room cleaning, public area upkeep, and managing the property’s laundry operations. Performance is measured by metrics like room cleanliness scores and turnaround time.
Specialized Housekeeping in Healthcare and Regulated Environments
In healthcare settings, housekeeping is elevated to a specialized function known as Environmental Services (EVS). This distinct category is defined by its compliance with stringent public health and regulatory standards, focusing on infection control rather than aesthetics. EVS teams in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities follow detailed protocols established by regulatory bodies for meticulous disinfection.
EVS personnel are trained to perform terminal cleaning of patient rooms after discharge to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Their duties include the safe handling and disposal of biohazardous waste, requiring specialized training in regulations and the use of hospital-grade disinfectants. This environment necessitates a scientific approach to cleaning, where processes like two-zone cleaning are implemented to prevent cross-contamination.
Economic Context and Labor Market Profile
The janitorial and housekeeping industry represents a significant economic force globally, with the market size estimated at over $300 billion in 2024. Growth is driven by the increasing demand for outsourced cleaning services across commercial sectors and a renewed corporate focus on workplace hygiene.
The labor force is sizable, employing over two million individuals in the United States alone. The occupation of maids and housekeeping cleaners accounts for close to one million workers. Wages vary significantly based on location and the specific employment setting, but a substantial portion of the workforce is concentrated in services to buildings and dwellings and traveler accommodation industries.