Domestic Cleaner Hourly Rates, Explained
Most people hiring a regular cleaner want one number: the hourly rate. This page explains the going rate in 2026, what moves you up or down within it, and the jobs an hourly clean does not cover.
The typical band
For a regular weekly or fortnightly domestic clean, the usual UK rate is £18 to £22 per hour. You will land toward the top of that band, or above it, if:
- You are in **London** or the South East, where £22–£28 is normal
- You book through an agency rather than an independent cleaner
- Your visit is fortnightly or one-off rather than weekly — less regular work is priced higher per hour
- The home is large, has several bathrooms, or there are pets
And toward the bottom, around £14–£18, if you book an established independent cleaner directly for a weekly slot in a part of the country with lower living costs. See how much a cleaner costs across the UK for the full picture including one-off jobs and commercial work.
Jobs that sit outside an hourly clean
The hourly rate buys routine upkeep — floors, surfaces, bathrooms, dusting, bins. These are normally quoted separately:
- Inside the oven (£15–£30 as a bolt-on, more for a dedicated oven-cleaning service)
- Inside the fridge or freezer
- Interior windows
- Ironing and laundry
- A first-visit deep clean to bring a neglected home up to a maintainable standard
If you want any of these done regularly, ask for them to be built into the visit and the quote — a cleaner working to a fixed hour will otherwise stick to the standard list.
Minimum visit lengths
Most cleaners set a minimum booking of two or three hours. A one-bedroom flat is usually done in two to three hours on a regular schedule; a three-bedroom house takes three to four. A cleaner who quotes a flat weekly price rather than an hourly rate has simply done that maths for you — divide it by the hours to check it against the band above.
Cash or invoiced
Independent cleaners often work cash-in-hand. A cleaner operating as a registered business will invoice you and should be able to show public liability insurance. The invoiced route costs a little more but gives you a paper trail and cover if something is damaged. For a regular arrangement in your home, that protection is usually worth the difference — what to check before you hire covers it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fair hourly rate for a cleaner in 2026?
£18–£22 per hour for a regular domestic clean across most of the UK, £22–£28 in London and the South East, and £14–£18 for a vetted independent cleaner booked directly for a weekly slot.
Why is a fortnightly clean more expensive per hour than weekly?
More time passes between visits, so more builds up and the clean is harder work per hour. A weekly slot is also easier for the cleaner to fit into a settled round, so they price it lower.
Is a flat weekly price better than an hourly rate?
It is the same thing packaged differently. Divide the weekly price by the hours booked and compare it to the hourly band. A fixed price is only a problem if the hours are vague — agree how long the visit is.