Can a cleaning business get a loan with bad credit (below 600)?
Yes, a cleaning business can borrow with a sub-600 score. Equipment financing, MCAs, and secured loans are realistic paths in 2026 if revenue is steady.
Yes. With a sub-600 score, skip banks and use alternative lenders. Equipment financing accepts scores from 550–575 at 15–30%+ APR; MCAs approve on revenue but cost 30–350%+ effective APR; secured loans help too. Steady deposits and 6+ months in business matter most.
Yes. A commercial cleaning business can get financing with a personal credit score below 600, but not from a traditional bank. You'll work with alternative and equipment lenders who weight your business revenue and the asset you're buying more heavily than your FICO score. Expect higher rates, larger down payments, and shorter terms than a prime borrower would see.
A score below 600 sits in FICO's "poor" band (300–579) or the low end of "fair" (580–669), per Experian's score ranges. SBA 7(a) is also usually off the table at this tier — the SBA itself doesn't publish a federal minimum personal credit score, so participating lenders set their own, and most want solid personal credit, commonly in the mid-600s up to 690+. That pushes sub-600 cleaning owners toward three realistic options.
Option 1: Equipment financing (best first choice)
When you're buying floor scrubbers, truck-mount extractors, or a vacuum fleet, the machine itself is the collateral, so lenders accept weaker credit. Per NerdWallet's 2026 bad-credit equipment lender comparison, several lenders approve scores as low as 550–575, typically requiring about 6 months in business and, for some, $250,000 in annual revenue. Rates at this tier commonly run 15–30%+ APR (versus 5–12% for strong credit), and lenders often want a 10–20% down payment when your score is under 620. Leasing the equipment instead of buying can lower the bar further because the lender keeps ownership. See our equipment financing overview for how this works for cleaning gear.
Option 2: MCAs / revenue-based financing — read the cost warning
A merchant cash advance or revenue-based advance is the easiest to qualify for with bad credit because approval keys off your deposits, not your score. But it is the most expensive money you can take. MCAs use a factor rate, not an interest rate: per Nav's MCA guide, factor rates run roughly 1.09 to 1.5+, meaning a 1.4 factor on a $20,000 advance costs $8,000 in fees. Because repayment is fast and daily, the effective APR commonly lands between 30% and 350%+. Use this only as a short bridge for a funded contract, never as long-term capital.
Option 3: Secured loans and lines
Pledging collateral — a vehicle, existing paid-off equipment, or a cash deposit — lowers lender risk and can unlock better pricing than an MCA at the same credit tier. A co-signer with stronger credit has a similar effect.
What actually gets you approved below 600
Lenders care most about cash flow. Aim to show: at least 6 months operating history, consistent monthly deposits (commonly $5,000+ for smaller equipment deals), 3 months of business bank statements, and equipment with good resale value. A debt-service coverage ratio around 1.25 — earning 25% more than your obligations require — reassures underwriters. For a deeper walkthrough specific to gear purchases, see our bad-credit equipment financing Q&A.
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