Compare the activity, then the code
NAICS code for a cleaning business
Start with 561720 for a business primarily cleaning interiors or windows. Compare 561740 for carpet and upholstery cleaning and 561790 for other building services such as exterior pressure washing.
2022 U.S. NAICS Census records checked
The activity changes the answer
Which work does the business primarily do?
Compare the service or product itself. The business name alone does not settle the classification.
Janitorial Services
Cleaning building interiors, homes, offices or windows.
Check the boundaryExterior building washing other than window cleaning points to 561790; specialized carpet cleaning should also be compared with 561740.
Read the official definitionCarpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
Cleaning or dyeing used carpets, rugs and upholstery, including work on the customer’s premises.
Check the boundaryRug repair without cleaning and furniture reupholstery/repair have separate cross-references.
Read the official definitionOther Services to Buildings and Dwellings
Exterior pressure washing, chimney cleaning, gutters, ducts, or swimming-pool cleaning and maintenance.
Check the boundaryWindow cleaning is an index activity under 561720. Exterior sandblasting and gutter installation point outside 561790.
Read the official definitionSame setting, different work
| Activity | Candidate | Decisive boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior windows | 561720 · Janitorial Services | Window cleaning is an explicit janitorial activity. |
| Exterior building pressure washing | 561790 · Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings | Building-exterior cleaning excludes windows and sandblasting. |
| Exterior building sandblasting | 238990 · All Other Specialty Trade Contractors | The explicit cross-reference points to specialty construction. |
Take the candidates into the Finder
Open the official records side by side and download a source-backed shortlist.
When to investigate another classification
These activity differences take the comparison beyond the starting candidates.
Pest control
561710 · Exterminating and Pest Control ServicesExterminating and pest control other than crop or forestry production.
Census recordCrime-scene cleanup
562910 · Remediation ServicesThe janitorial definition directs crime-scene cleanup to Remediation Services.
Census recordExterior sandblasting
238990 · All Other Specialty Trade ContractorsBuilding-exterior sandblasting has an explicit specialty-construction cross-reference.
Census recordFollow the decisive activity
Worked classification examples
Illustrative businesses for comparison, rather than individual filing advice.
A small crew primarily cleans home interiors.
Cleaning homes and residential cleaning are exact Census index activities.
Compare 561720 · Janitorial ServicesThe main service is cleaning used carpets in customers’ buildings.
The carpet-specific definition and customer-premises index activity distinguish this from general janitorial work.
Compare 561740 · Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning ServicesThe business primarily pressure-washes building exteriors and decks.
Pressure washing buildings, decks and fences is a literal 561790 index activity.
Compare 561790 · Other Services to Buildings and DwellingsThe main service is cleaning windows, including exterior windows.
Window cleaning is listed under 561720; exterior-cleaning exclusions preserve this distinction.
Compare 561720 · Janitorial ServicesThe main service is crime-scene cleanup.
The 561720 cross-reference explicitly directs this activity to Remediation Services.
Compare 562910 · Remediation ServicesThe main work is sandblasting building exteriors.
Both janitorial and other building-service cross-references direct this activity to a specialty trade classification.
Compare 238990 · All Other Specialty Trade ContractorsRead the classification behind the comparison
Official definitions and hierarchy
The wording below is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 records. Activity explanations above are from BiznTools.
561720Janitorial Services
2022 U.S. NAICS Census records checked
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in cleaning building interiors, interiors of transportation equipment (e.g., aircraft, rail cars, ships), and/or windows. Illustrative Examples: Custodial services Service station cleaning and degreasing services Housekeeping (i.e., cleaning) services Washroom sanitation services Maid (i.e., cleaning) services
Open 561720 in the Census referenceHierarchy, activity phrases and cross-references
Official hierarchy
- 56Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
- 561Administrative and Support Services
- 5617Services to Buildings and Dwellings
- 56172Janitorial Services
- 561720Janitorial Services
Selected official activity phrases
- Aircraft janitorial services
- Building cleaning services, interior
- Building cleaning services, janitorial
- Cleaning homes
- Cleaning offices
- Cleaning shopping centers
- Custodial services
- Deodorant servicing of rest rooms
Official cross-references
- Cleaning building exteriors (except sandblasting and window cleaning) or chimneys--are classified in Industry 561790, Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings;
- Sandblasting building exteriors--are classified in Industry 238990, All Other Specialty Trade Contractors; and
- Crime scene cleanup services--are classified in Industry 562910, Remediation Services.
561740Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
2022 U.S. NAICS Census records checked
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in cleaning and dyeing used rugs, carpets, and upholstery.
Open 561740 in the Census referenceHierarchy, activity phrases and cross-references
Official hierarchy
- 56Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
- 561Administrative and Support Services
- 5617Services to Buildings and Dwellings
- 56174Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
- 561740Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
Selected official activity phrases
- Carpet cleaning on customers' premises
- Carpet cleaning plants
- Carpet cleaning services
- Cleaning carpets
- Cleaning plants, carpet and rug
- Cleaning rugs
- Cleaning services, carpet and rug
- Furniture cleaning on customers' premises
Official cross-references
- Rug repair not associated with rug cleaning--are classified in Industry 811490, Other Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance; and
- Reupholstering and repairing furniture--are classified in Industry 811420, Reupholstery and Furniture Repair.
561790Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings
2022 U.S. NAICS Census records checked
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing services to buildings and dwellings (except exterminating and pest control; janitorial; landscaping care and maintenance; and carpet and upholstery cleaning). Illustrative Examples: Building exterior cleaning services (except sandblasting, window cleaning) Swimming pool cleaning and maintenance services Chimney cleaning services Ventilation duct cleaning services Drain or gutter cleaning services
Open 561790 in the Census referenceHierarchy, activity phrases and cross-references
Official hierarchy
- 56Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
- 561Administrative and Support Services
- 5617Services to Buildings and Dwellings
- 56179Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings
- 561790Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings
Selected official activity phrases
- Building exterior cleaning services (except sandblasting, window cleaning)
- Building gas systems conversion (e.g., from manufactured to natural gas) services
- Chimney cleaning services
- Chimney sweep (i.e., cleaning) services
- Cleaning (e.g., power sweeping, washing) driveways and parking lots
- Cleaning building exteriors (except sandblasting, window cleaning)
- Cleaning swimming pools
- Commercial kitchen exhaust hood cleaning services
Official cross-references
- Providing exterminating and pest control services--are classified in Industry 561710, Exterminating and Pest Control Services;
- Providing janitorial services--are classified in Industry 561720, Janitorial Services;
- Providing landscaping care and maintenance--are classified in Industry 561730, Landscaping Services;
- Providing carpet and upholstery cleaning services--are classified in Industry 561740, Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services;
- Installing gutters, downspouts, and siding--are classified in Industry 238170, Siding Contractors;
- Resurfacing hardwood flooring and/or wood floor finishing--are classified in Industry 238330, Flooring Contractors; and
- Sandblasting building exteriors--are classified in Industry 238990, All Other Specialty Trade Contractors.
Check the original source files
Definitions, titles, activity phrases and exclusions come from the same 2022 U.S. edition.