How Much Does a Cleaner Cost in the UK? (2026 Rates)
Cleaning prices in the UK have changed a lot since 2022 — minimum wage increases, fuel costs and a much tighter labour market have pushed rates up across every region. Here's what's genuinely fair to pay in 2026, and how to find a reliable cleaner without overpaying agency markups.
Cleaner hourly rates in the UK (2026)
Most UK domestic cleaners charge £14–£22 per hour in 2026. Self-employed cleaners are typically £14–£18/hour outside major cities, £18–£24/hour in London. Cleaning agencies sit at £20–£35/hour because they take a 20–35% cut and pay the cleaner the rest.
| Region | Self-employed | Agency rate |
|---|---|---|
| London | £18–£28 | £28–£40 |
| South East | £16–£24 | £24–£35 |
| South West | £14–£20 | £22–£30 |
| Midlands | £14–£19 | £20–£28 |
| North West | £13–£18 | £20–£28 |
| North East | £12–£17 | £18–£26 |
| Scotland | £14–£19 | £22–£30 |
| Wales | £12–£17 | £18–£26 |
| Northern Ireland | £11–£16 | £17–£24 |
Weekly cleaner cost by home size
Most UK households book a recurring weekly or fortnightly clean rather than ad-hoc visits. Cleaners almost always quote a fixed price per visit once they've seen the property.
| Property | Visit time | Typical UK price per clean |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | 1.5–2 hours | £25 – £40 |
| 2-bed flat | 2–3 hours | £35 – £55 |
| 2-bed house | 2.5–3 hours | £40 – £60 |
| 3-bed house | 3–4 hours | £45 – £70 |
| 4-bed house | 4–5 hours | £60 – £95 |
| 5+ bed house | 5–7 hours | £90 – £160 |
One-off, deep and end-of-tenancy cleans
One-off cleans cost more per hour than recurring slots — partly because there's no relationship-based discount, partly because they're usually deeper than a regular clean.
| Service | 1-bed flat | 3-bed house | 5-bed house |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-off clean | £70 – £110 | £110 – £180 | £200 – £320 |
| Deep clean | £140 – £220 | £220 – £380 | £400 – £650 |
| End-of-tenancy clean | £140 – £220 | £200 – £350 | £380 – £600 |
| Move-in clean | £100 – £170 | £170 – £280 | £300 – £480 |
| After-builders clean | £180 – £280 | £280 – £500 | £500 – £900 |
Airbnb and short-let turnaround cleaning
Airbnb cleans are time-pressured, often need same-day turnaround and usually include linen change. Expect to pay £35–£75 per turnaround for a 1–2 bed flat, £60–£120 for a 3-bed house, and £100–£200 for a 4–5 bed property. Cleaners with their own washing machine or laundry contract typically charge 20–30% more but save you the laundry hassle.
What pushes the price up
- Pets in the home — extra hair, often add £5–£10 per visit
- Hard-water areas — limescale slows down bathroom cleaning
- Stairs — a 3-storey townhouse takes longer than a 3-bed bungalow
- Cleaning products — supplying eco-friendly products yourself can drop the price by £3–£5/visit
- Frequency — fortnightly is usually 5–10% more per visit than weekly
- Insurance — a cleaner with proper public liability is worth £1–£2/hour more for the peace of mind
How to vet a cleaner before you hire
- Verify ID and right to work — especially if you're hiring directly rather than through a marketplace.
- Ask for two recent references — and call them, don't just read texts.
- Check public liability insurance — at least £1 million is standard for domestic cleaners.
- Agree what's included in writing — hoovering, mopping, kitchen, bathrooms, ironing, beds: spell it out.
- Discuss keys and access — never pay a deposit for a key.
How to pay less without losing quality
- Book longer recurring slots, not ad-hoc visits. A weekly 3-hour slot is much cheaper per hour than four ad-hoc visits.
- Provide your own products and equipment. Saves £3–£8 per visit.
- Group jobs. Two adjacent flats with the same cleaner usually means a 10–15% per-visit discount.
- Pay on time. Sounds simple — late payers get higher quotes when cleaners renegotiate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cleaner cost per hour in the UK in 2026?
Most UK self-employed cleaners charge £14–£22 per hour in 2026, with London and the South East at £18–£28. Agency rates are typically £20–£35/hour because they take a 20–35% cut. Booking directly through a verified marketplace gives you agency-level checks at self-employed prices.
How much is a weekly clean for a 3-bedroom house?
A weekly clean of a typical 3-bedroom UK house costs £45–£70 per visit in 2026, lasting around 3–4 hours. Fortnightly slots are usually £5–£10 more per visit because of the additional time needed.
How much is an end-of-tenancy clean?
End-of-tenancy cleans cost £140–£220 for a 1-bed flat, £200–£350 for a 3-bed house and £380–£600 for a larger property in 2026. Most cleaners offer a 'check guarantee' — if the inventory clerk picks anything up, they return to fix it free of charge.
Should I hire a cleaning agency or a self-employed cleaner?
Read reviews critically: look for specific job details, recent dates and evidence of completed work. Ask the platform how reviews are checked; a profile or badge alone is not a guarantee of quality.
Do I tip a cleaner in the UK?
Tipping isn't expected for regular cleans in the UK — fair pay matters more. A Christmas bonus equivalent to one week's clean (£40–£70) is a common gesture for a cleaner who's been with you a year or more.
Should I provide cleaning products?
Either approach works. Supplying products yourself drops the per-visit cost by £3–£8 and lets you specify eco-friendly or fragrance-free options. Cleaners who supply products usually have brands they trust and quote slightly higher to cover them.
About the author
AllSorted Editorial Team
Home services research & UK trades industry analysis
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