TL;DR — Regular Cleaning Cost At A Glance •
Regular domestic cleaning in the UK costs £13–£25 per hour on average, with rates rising to £20–£28 per hour in London and the South East. For a standard weekly visit of around three hours, most households pay £45–£75, or £60–£100 in the capital. Priced per clean, the national average lands at roughly £57 for a typical home.
The single biggest thing that moves the price is frequency. A weekly or fortnightly cleaner charges less per hour than a one-off booking, because the home never gets far behind and each visit is quicker. The second is who you hire: an independent cleaner is usually a pound or two cheaper per hour than a cleaning agency, but an agency brings insurance, vetted staff and cover if your regular cleaner is off sick.
Here's what you can expect to pay for regular cleaning across the UK:
| How you book | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | £13 – £25 | £20 – £28 |
| Weekly visit (approx. 3 hrs) | £45 – £75 | £60 – £100 |
| Fortnightly visit (approx. 3 hrs) | £50 – £80 | £65 – £105 |
| One-off / occasional clean | £60 – £120 | £90 – £160 |
Figures include VAT where applicable and reflect 2026 market rates. Your exact price depends on your home and postcode
Regular Cleaning Cost By Property Size
Cleaners either charge by the hour or quote a fixed price per visit based on the size of your home. As a rule of thumb, a one-bed flat needs around two hours, and each extra bedroom or bathroom adds roughly half an hour. These are typical weekly-visit costs by home size:
| Property size | Typical time | Rest of UK | London |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bed, 1 bath | 2 – 2.5 hrs | £30 – £55 | £45 – £75 |
| 2 bed, 1 bath | 2.5 – 3 hrs | £40 – £70 | £55 – £90 |
| 3 bed, 2 bath | 3 – 3.5 hrs | £50 – £85 | £70 – £110 |
| 4 bed, 2 bath | 3.5 – 4.5 hrs | £65 – £110 | £90 – £140 |
| 5 bed, 3 bath | 4.5 – 5.5 hrs | £80 – £140 | £110 – £180 |
A one-off or occasional "spring" clean of the same home costs more, because a home that hasn't been cleaned recently takes longer and is more labour-intensive than a maintained one. If your home needs a top-to-bottom reset rather than routine upkeep, a deep or one-off clean is the better fit.
What Affects The Cost Of Regular Cleaning?
Several factors decide where you land in the ranges above.
1. How Often You Book
Frequency is the biggest lever. Weekly and fortnightly visits carry the lowest hourly rate because the home stays under control and each clean is fast. One-off and monthly cleans cost more per hour, as more dirt builds up between visits.
2. Your Location
London and the South East run roughly 15–30% higher than the North of England, Wales and Scotland. A £15/hr cleaner in the Midlands is often £22–£25/hr for the same work in central London, reflecting higher living and travel costs.
3. Agency Versus Independent Cleaner
An independent cleaner typically charges a little less per hour. A cleaning agency or company costs slightly more but includes insurance, vetted and trained cleaners, a replacement if your usual cleaner is unavailable, and a customer team to sort out any issues.
4. Home Size And Condition
More rooms, more bathrooms and more clutter all add time. A tidy, well-kept home cleans faster than one that is cluttered or has been left for weeks between visits.
5. Cleaning Products And Equipment
Some cleaners bring their own products and vacuum; others expect you to supply them. Where products are provided, expect a small premium. Confirm this up front so the quote is like-for-like.
6. Extra Tasks
Standard visits cover general cleaning. Extras such as interior windows, oven cleaning, inside-the-fridge, ironing or laundry usually add time or a separate charge.
What's Included — And What's Not
Typically included in a regular clean:
- Dusting and wiping surfaces, skirting boards and fittings
- Vacuuming and mopping floors
- Cleaning and sanitising the bathroom (toilet, basin, bath, shower, tiles)
- Kitchen worktops, sink, hob and appliance exteriors
- Emptying bins and general tidying of the areas cleaned
Usually charged separately or by request:
- Interior oven, fridge and freezer cleaning
- Interior window cleaning beyond a quick wipe
- Ironing, laundry and changing bedding
- Carpet, rug and upholstery deep cleaning
- Cleaning products and equipment, if not supplied by the client
Always confirm the task list in writing before the first visit, so the final bill matches the quote.
Can You Do It Yourself?
How To Save Money On Regular Cleaning
- Book regularly — weekly or fortnightly visits have the lowest hourly rate and the home stays easy to clean.
- Match the hours to the home — don't over-book time; a well-scoped 2–3 hour visit often covers a small home fully.
- Declutter before each visit so paid time goes on cleaning, not tidying.
- Supply your own products if that works out cheaper than a products-included rate.
- Bundle occasional extras (oven, interior windows) into one visit rather than booking separate call-outs.
- Compare like-for-like quotes — check what's included, not just the headline hourly rate.
How To Hire A Good Cleaner
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does A Cleaner Cost Per Hour In The UK?
In 2026, domestic cleaners charge around £13–£25 per hour across most of the UK, rising to £20–£28 per hour in London and the South East. The national average is roughly £19 per hour.
How Many Hours Does It Take To Clean A Home?
As a guide, a one-bed home needs about two hours, a three-bed home around three hours, and each extra bathroom adds roughly half an hour. A cluttered or larger home takes longer.
Should You Choose A Cleaning Agency Or An Independent Cleaner?
An independent cleaner is usually slightly cheaper per hour, while an agency costs a little more but includes insurance, vetted staff and a replacement if your cleaner is off. If reliability and cover matter to you, an agency or company is often worth the small premium.
What's Included In A Regular Cleaning Service?
A standard clean covers dusting, vacuuming, mopping, bathrooms, kitchen surfaces and bins. Interior oven, fridge, window cleaning, ironing and laundry are typically extras you can add on request.
What's The Difference Between Regular, Deep And End Of Tenancy Cleaning?
Regular cleaning is routine upkeep. A deep clean is a thorough, top-to-bottom reset. An end of tenancy clean is a checklist-based clean to return a rental to move-in condition, and costs more than a regular visit.
Are There Benefits To Booking Recurring Cleaning?
Yes. Recurring visits cost less per hour, keep the home consistently clean, and mean less effort for you. Many households also value having the same trusted cleaner each time.
Is It Cheaper To Book Weekly Or Monthly?
Per hour, weekly and fortnightly visits are cheaper because the home stays easy to clean. A monthly or one-off clean has a higher hourly rate, as more cleaning builds up between visits.
