How much does a cleaner cost? [January 2026]

The short answer

The average cost of a cleaner is £19 per hour or £57 per clean 

  • The hourly rates range between £13 - £25 per hour, depending on your location, clean frequency and whether you choose an independent cleaner or an agency
  • Keep reading for more information about how cleaner pricing works, or click here to get a price for your home

How much does a cleaner cost? 
 

Most cleaners charge an hourly rate of between £13 and £25 per hour. Many cleaners can also provide the cleaning products for the job for a small fee (or you can provide these yourself).

Booking a cleaning service is a great way to keep your home clean and tidy without the hassle of making time to do it yourself. Most cleaning services offer both one-off cleans and recurring cleaning options, such as weekly, fortnightly and even monthly visits. 

The biggest factors affecting the hourly rate you'll pay are where you live and whether you book with a cleaning agency or an independent cleaner.

You’ll likely find that cleaners will charge more in larger cities, like London, Manchester, Brighton and Bristol.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay per hour for cleaning services in London, Manchester, Brighton, Bristol and the rest of the UK.

Cleaning service Cleaner in London Cleaner in Manchester Cleaner in Brighton Cleaner in Bristol Rest of UK
Independent cleaner £17.50 inc. VAT
(£15.00 - £20.00)
£14.50 inc. VAT
(£13.00 - £16.00)
£14.50 inc. VAT
(£13.00 - £16.00)
£19.50 inc. VAT
(£17.00 - £22.00)
£14.00 inc. VAT
(£13.00 - £15.00)
Cleaning agency £19.50 inc. VAT
(£17.00 - £25.00)
£17.00 inc. VAT
(£14.00 - £20.00)
£17.50 inc. VAT
(£15.00 - £21.00)
£21.50 inc. VAT
(£18.00 - £25.00)
£16.00 inc. VAT
(£14.00 - £18.00)

 

How many hours does it take to clean a home?

 

The total price you’ll pay depends on the size of your home. The table below shows the typical number of cleaning hours needed based on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. If you’re unsure, your cleaner or the agency you book with can help estimate how long your clean will take.

Property size 1 bedroom 2 bedrooms 3 bedrooms
1 bathroom 2.0 hours 2.5 hours 3.0 hours
2 bathrooms 2.5 hours 3.0 hours 3.5 hours
3 bathrooms 3.0 hours 3.5 hours 4.0 hours
4 bathrooms 3.5 hours 4.0 hours 4.5 hours
5 bathrooms 4.0 hours 4.5 hours 5.0 hours
6 bathrooms 4.5 hours 5.0 hours 5.5 hours
7 bathrooms 5.0 hours 5.5 hours 6.0 hours
8 bathrooms 5.5 hours 6.0 hours 6.5 hours

 

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What other factors impact the cost of hiring a cleaner? 
 

The size of your property will probably be the biggest factor in determining the final cost of your cleaning service. But other things, like how often you book and whether you need any extra services, will also play a role in the final price.
 

1. When you book
 

Cleaners will often charge a premium for same-day and next-day bookings. You may even find they’ll usually charge a higher rate for bookings within unsociable hours, such as early mornings, evenings, weekends and bank holidays. 


2. Frequency of cleaning service
 

Many cleaning companies offer a cheaper rate the more frequently you book. This means a weekly cleaning service will usually be cheaper than a fortnightly, monthly, or one-off clean. So, if you’re looking to get a clean regularly, it's typically better value to just book in a recurring service from the start.
 

3. Whether you need any additional services
 

With most cleaning services, you can often add extra tasks such as oven cleaning, fridge cleaning, indoor window cleaning, ironing and laundry. These services aren’t usually included as standard, so they’ll come at an additional charge and be added to your final bill.
 

 

Cleaner dusting kitchen shelf

Should you choose a cleaning agency or an independent cleaner?


Booking an independent cleaner from a personal recommendation from a friend, neighbour, or family member is often a great way to find a cleaner, but it’s not always possible or the right fit for everyone.


Independent cleaners
 

Pros:

  • Lower cost. Independent cleaners are generally cheaper than agencies
  • Cash payments. Independent cleaners are usually happy with cash payments if that's what you prefer
     

Cons:

  • Trust. Unless you found them via a personal recommendation, you don't know the background of your cleaner
  • Variable quality. Unless it's a personal recommendation, there's no way to know how good they are
  • No flexibility. A good independent cleaner usually won't have a waiting list and no flexibility to move your cleans
  • No backup cleaners. If your cleaner is unavailable due to sickness or holidays, you’ll need to find a replacement or clean your home yourself
  • No formal complaints process. If something goes wrong, there is no official customer support or way to escalate issues
  • Can't pay by card. Most cleaners prefer cash, which means you have to remember to go to the cashpoint every week
     
Cleaning agencies
 

Pros:

  • Quality. Agencies will vet and manage their cleaners to ensure quality
  • Safety. Most agencies background check their cleaners
  • Easy management. Many agencies have websites or apps that allow you to manage everything online
  • Availability. Agencies will have more times available, so you can find a time that works around your own schedule
  • Holiday & sickness cover. If your regular cleaner is unavailable, an agency will organise a replacement so your clean still goes ahead
  • Customer support. A dedicated customer support team will usually be available 7 days a week if anything were to go wrong
  • No hassle with cash. You can pay by card or bank transfer
     

Cons:

  • Higher cost. Agency services are generally more expensive than booking an independent cleaner
  • Can't pay with cash. Paying with cash usually isn't an option with agencies
     

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What’s included in a cleaning service?
 

What’s exactly included in a recurring or one-off cleaning service will vary depending on who you book with.

Our cleaning service at Housekeep includes the following as standard:

  • Dusting and wiping of all accessible surfaces
  • Mop & vacuuming of all floors
  • Wiping of switches & handles
  • Wiping of the exterior of cupboards & appliances
  • Washing dishes or loading the dishwasher
  • Cleaning of toilets
  • Scrubbing shower & bath
  • Cleaning the sink
  • Cleaning mirrors
  • Changing & making beds 
  • Empty & take out rubbish bins 

You can also add on any of the extra tasks below:

  • Oven cleaning 
  • Indoor window cleaning
  • Fridge cleaning 
  • Laundry
  • Ironing
     

If you have any special requests, you can let your cleaner know through your Housekeep app.




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What’s the difference between regular cleaning, deep cleaning and end of tenancy cleaning? 
 

Most cleaning companies offer a few different service options, including regular cleaning, deep cleaning, and end-of-tenancy cleaning. Each service is designed for different needs, so before booking a cleaner, it’s a good idea to consider what works best for you.

Regular cleaning is ideal if you’re looking for a general clean and tidy up of your home. You can book either a one-off clean or make it regular, with your cleaner visiting every week, 2 weeks or as often as you need it. 

Deep cleaning is way more thorough than regular cleaning. It's perfect for tackling built-up dirt, grime, and limescale, making it a great option if you’re looking for just a one off super thorough clean - like a spring clean.

End of tenancy cleaning is typically the most thorough cleaning service you can book. It includes a deep cleaning of pretty much everything, from your washing machine to the descaling of your bathroom. It’s the perfect clean if you’re moving and want your property to look like new before handing over the keys. It's therefore typically the most expensive cleaning service, costing anywhere between £100 - £500. For a more detailed breakdown, check out our comprehensive end of tenancy clean cost guide for more info. 

For both deep and end of tenancy services, you can usually add additional tasks like carpet and upholstery cleaning (such as sofa cleaning) for an extra charge. 

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What are the benefits of recurring cleaning?
 

With a recurring service, you’ll have the same cleaner week in, and week out. Over time, they’ll get to know your home and preferences, which means they can clean exactly how you like it every visit. Many people even build a strong relationship with their cleaner, and it can feel like they’re part of the family after working together for years.

Having the same cleaner also means your cleaning sessions become more efficient. They’ll be familiar with your home, which means cleaning will take less time, especially as your home stays cleaner. With one-off visits, there's a chance you won't get the same cleaner each time, requiring a new cleaner to get familiar with your home on every visit. 

Plus, recurring services often cost less than one-off cleans, making them better value if you plan on using cleaning services regularly. Many services also charge extra for last-minute or same-day bookings, so planning ahead with a recurring service can save you money. And, with a set schedule, you don’t have to worry about remembering to book each time - your preferred day and time are already secured each week.

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Infographic on the advantages of recurring cleaning

Where can I get a quote for a cleaning service?

 

The quickest way to find a great cleaner is to book through an online service like Housekeep. We've got brilliant cleaners up and down the country ready to lend a hand, including in London, Manchester, Brighton and Bristol.

Just enter your postcode and a few details about your home, and we'll give you an instant quote for your clean. Whether it's a one-off, weekly or fortnightly clean you're looking for, we've got you covered. Click here to find a cleaner near me.

If you're looking for an independent cleaner, a good place to start is by checking out local groups on social media. These pages often feature reviews and photos of past work, so it's a great way to find a local recommendation.
 

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Portraits of home cleaning experts

 

Written by Georgina ShepherdHenry Paterson

Georgina is one Housekeep's home services experts. She's interviewed thousands of the UK's best cleaners and tradespeople - so whether you need advice on a stubborn stain, or you're looking for tips to find the perfect plumber, Georgina's got you covered.

With years of experience in the industry, Henry has delivered talks at industry events including the Ideal Home Show and regularly features as an industry expert for publications including the Sun, Mail Online, Martha Stewart and many more.