My friend and I started a bin cleaning business in our neighborhood a few weeks ago. Here's what we learned pricing it at $20/bin:

The math is simple. Trash bins sit outside all week collecting grime, maggots, and smell — most homeowners hate dealing with it themselves but never think to pay someone else to. $20 is an impulse buy for anyone with disposable income, especially in nicer neighborhoods where curb appeal actually matters.

Route density beats big tickets. Two guys, one pressure washer, and a truck can hit 15-20 driveways in a single Saturday. That's $300-400 a day working a few hours, no inventory, no rent.

Recurring beats one-time. We're now nudging happy customers toward a monthly plan instead of a single clean — nobody wants to keep re-booking, and it turns a random Saturday hustle into predictable income.

If you're a teen, student, or just looking for a low-overhead side business: bin cleaning is stupidly underrated. All you need is a pressure washer, a truck, and a neighborhood with actual bins on actual curbs.

— Escalera 🧼