What Do Most House Cleaners Charge Per Hour in the UK?

UK House Cleaning Cost Calculator

If you’ve ever hired a house cleaner, you know the first question you ask is: how much do they charge per hour? It’s not just about budgeting-it’s about knowing if you’re getting fair value. In 2025, the average house cleaner in the UK charges between £12 and £25 per hour, but that number can swing wildly depending on where you live, what you need done, and who’s doing the job.

Why Hourly Rates Vary So Much

Not all cleaning jobs are the same. A quick tidy-up in a small flat is worlds apart from a deep clean of a four-bedroom house with kids and pets. Cleaners don’t just wipe surfaces-they scrub grout, empty bins, dust high shelves, and sometimes even do laundry or organize clutter. The more complex the task, the higher the rate.

In London, you’ll commonly pay £20-£25 per hour. That’s because demand is high, living costs are higher, and cleaners often travel long distances between jobs. In smaller towns like Brighton or Nottingham, rates drop to £14-£18. Rural areas might be even lower-£12-£15-simply because there are fewer cleaners available, so they compete more on price.

Some cleaners charge by the job instead of the hour. That’s fine if you know exactly what you need. But hourly rates give you more control. If you’re home and realize you forgot to ask for the fridge to be wiped down, you can add it without renegotiating the whole price.

What’s Included in a Standard Hour?

A typical hourly cleaning session covers the basics: vacuuming, mopping, dusting, bathroom sanitizing, kitchen surface cleaning, and trash removal. That’s it. No one’s going to scrub your oven or clean inside your cabinets unless you ask-and pay extra.

Here’s what most cleaners will do in an hour:

• Vacuum and mop all hard floors
• Dust all surfaces (shelves, tables, window sills)
• Wipe down kitchen counters and appliance fronts
• Clean and disinfect sinks, toilets, showers, and mirrors
• Empty all trash bins and replace liners
• Light tidying-putting away obvious clutter, straightening cushions

Anything beyond that? That’s extra. Oven cleaning? That’s often a £40-£60 add-on. Carpet steam cleaning? £50-£100 depending on size. Window cleaning inside? Usually included, but outside windows? That’s a separate job.

Booking Through Agencies vs. Independent Cleaners

There’s a big difference between hiring through an agency and hiring someone directly.

Agencies charge more-usually £18-£25 per hour-because they take a cut. They handle insurance, background checks, replacements if someone calls in sick, and sometimes even supplies. That convenience costs you. But if you’re worried about trust or liability, it’s worth it.

Independent cleaners? You’re more likely to pay £12-£18 per hour. They don’t have overhead, so they pass the savings on. But here’s the catch: no insurance means you’re liable if something breaks. No backup means if they get sick, your clean gets canceled. Always ask: Do you have public liability insurance? If they say no, think twice.

What Affects Your Final Price?

Several hidden factors change the rate you’re quoted:

• Location-As mentioned, London and the Southeast cost more. Northern England and Wales are often cheaper.
• Frequency-Weekly cleaners often get a discount. Monthly? You might pay more per visit because it’s less efficient for them.
• Home size-A studio flat might get a flat rate of £30-£40. A 4-bed house? £70-£100 per visit, even if it only takes 3 hours.
• Condition-A home that hasn’t been cleaned in months? Expect to pay 20-30% more. That’s called a deep clean surcharge.
• Supplies-Some cleaners bring their own. Others expect you to provide everything. If you’re supplying cleaners, sponges, and vacuums, you might negotiate a £1-£2 discount per hour.

One thing you won’t see on a quote: tips. Most cleaners don’t expect them. But if they go above and beyond-say, they cleaned your fridge and didn’t charge extra-it’s polite to leave £5-£10 or a gift card. It builds loyalty.

How to Avoid Getting Overcharged

You wouldn’t buy a car without checking the mileage. Don’t hire a cleaner without asking the right questions.

• Ask for a written quote before they start. Verbal promises don’t hold up.
• Confirm what’s included. Don’t assume they’ll clean the inside of your microwave.
• Check reviews on Google or Checkatrade. Look for patterns: “always late,” “left mess,” “no communication.”
• Ask if they’re VAT registered. If they are, you’ll pay 20% extra. Most small cleaners aren’t, so they don’t charge VAT. That’s normal.
• Try a trial clean. Pay for one hour to see how they work before signing up for weekly service.

Watch out for the lowball trap. Someone quoting £8 an hour? They’re either new, untrained, or cutting corners. Cleaners need to pay for transport, supplies, and time off. If they’re making less than £10/hour after expenses, they won’t last long-and you’ll end up hiring someone else anyway.

What About Eco-Friendly Cleaners?

Eco cleaners use plant-based, non-toxic products. They’re popular in places like Brighton, where environmental awareness is high. These services usually cost £1-£3 more per hour than standard cleaners. But you’re not just paying for cleaner air-you’re avoiding harsh chemicals that can irritate kids, pets, or asthma sufferers.

Some eco cleaners also use reusable cloths and refillable bottles, which reduces waste. If that matters to you, it’s worth the extra £2/hour. Just ask: What products do you use? If they say “I just use vinegar and baking soda,” that’s fine. If they name brands like Ecover or Method, that’s a good sign.

Real Example: What a £15/hour Clean Looks Like

Last month, a client in Hove hired a cleaner for £15/hour for a 2.5-hour visit. Here’s what got done:

• Three bedrooms vacuumed and dusted
• Living room and dining area cleaned
• Kitchen: counters, sink, stove front, microwave outside, fridge outside
• Two bathrooms: toilet, sink, shower, mirrors, floors
• All trash emptied and liners replaced
• Doors wiped down, light switches cleaned

They didn’t clean inside the cabinets. Didn’t wash windows. Didn’t do laundry. But the place looked spotless. The client was happy. The cleaner got paid £37.50 for a full morning’s work. That’s fair.

Final Tip: Pay Weekly, Save Monthly

If you need cleaning every week, ask for a monthly package. Many cleaners offer 10%-15% off if you prepay for four visits. That’s £60-£100 saved a year. Plus, you get consistency. Same cleaner, same schedule, same results. No more last-minute panic when your kids spill juice on the rug.

And if you’re not sure? Start with one visit. See how it goes. You can always increase frequency later.