How Much Is a Cleaner Per Hour in London?

Hiring a cleaner in London usually costs between £15 and £30 per hour, depending on the type of cleaning, the size of the property, the frequency of the service, and whether you hire an independent cleaner or a professional cleaning company.

 

For regular domestic cleaning, many London cleaners fall around the £18–£25 per hour range, while agency or professional cleaning services may charge closer to £25–£30 per hour. Some price guides place independent cleaners around £25 per hour and cleaning agencies around £25–£30 per hour, while other London-specific estimates show a broader range of £15–£30 per hour.

 

The exact price depends on what you need cleaned, how often you book, and the level of detail required.

Average Cleaner Hourly Rate in London

Here is a simple guide:

Cleaning TypeAverage London Price
Independent cleaner£15–£25 per hour
Cleaning agency / professional company£20–£30 per hour
Regular weekly cleaning£18–£25 per hour
Deep cleaning£25–£31 per hour
End-of-tenancy cleaningUsually quoted as a fixed price
Commercial cleaningUsually quoted after scope or site details

Housekeep’s May 2026 cleaner cost guide puts the average cleaner cost at around £19 per hour, with rates ranging from £13–£25 per hour depending on location, cleaning frequency, and the type of provider.

 

For London specifically, many professional cleaning rates are higher because of travel, labour costs, business insurance, supplies, and the general cost of operating in the city.

Why Do Cleaner Prices Vary in London?

The main factors include:

  • Property size
  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
  • How often you book
  • Whether it is regular cleaning or deep cleaning
  • Whether cleaning products are included
  • Location within London
  • Parking or access difficulty
  • Level of dirt, dust, grease, or build-up
  • Whether the property is residential or commercial

A small flat that is cleaned every week will usually cost less per visit than a large property that has not been cleaned deeply in months.

Regular Cleaning vs Deep Cleaning Price

Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning is usually cheaper per hour because it is designed for maintenance.

It covers everyday cleaning tasks such as:

  • Dusting
  • Vacuuming
  • Mopping
  • Bathroom cleaning
  • Kitchen surface cleaning
  • General tidying
  • Wiping surfaces
  • Emptying bins

Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning costs more because it is more detailed. It usually involves heavier work, more time, and closer attention to hidden or neglected areas.

Deep cleaning may include:

  • Cleaning behind and under furniture
  • Removing built-up grime
  • Detailed bathroom cleaning
  • Deep kitchen cleaning
  • Skirting boards
  • Internal appliance cleaning, where requested
  • Limescale removal
  • More detailed floor and surface work

In London, deep cleaning can range from around £25–£31 per hour or be quoted as a fixed project price depending on the property size and condition. Some 2026 London guides place deep cleaning around £25–£31 per hour or £120–£250 per session, while move-out or end-of-tenancy cleaning is often priced separately.

Is It Cheaper to Book a Regular Cleaner?

In many cases, yes.

Regular cleaning can be more cost-effective because your home is maintained consistently. The cleaner spends less time dealing with heavy build-up, and each visit becomes easier to manage.

For example, a weekly 2–3 hour clean may help prevent the need for frequent deep cleans. Checkatrade’s 2026 guide notes that a weekly 3-hour clean can cost around £75, based on an average of about £25 per hour.

Regular cleaning is best for:

  • Busy professionals
  • Families
  • Tenants
  • Homeowners
  • Shared apartments
  • People who want a consistently clean home
  • Customers who do not want cleaning to pile up

If you only book once in a while, the job may take longer because there is more to clean.

How Many Hours Should You Book a Cleaner For?

This depends on the size and condition of your home.

A simple guide:

Property TypeSuggested Cleaning Time
Studio flat1.5–2 hours
1-bedroom flat2–3 hours
2-bedroom flat3–4 hours
3-bedroom home4–5 hours
Larger home5+ hours
Deep cleaningUsually longer or quoted separately

These are general estimates. A well-maintained 2-bedroom flat may need less time than a smaller flat that needs detailed cleaning.

Should You Hire an Independent Cleaner or a Cleaning Company?

An independent cleaner may be cheaper, but a professional cleaning company can offer more structure, reliability, service coverage, and booking support.

Independent cleaner

May be suitable if:

  • You want the lowest hourly rate
  • You already know and trust the cleaner
  • You are comfortable managing the arrangement yourself
  • You can provide supplies and instructions

Cleaning company

May be better if:

  • You want a more reliable booking process
  • You need replacement support if someone is unavailable
  • You want regular, deep, or commercial cleaning
  • You need insurance-backed professionalism
  • You want a company that can handle different cleaning needs

For one-off, deep, commercial, end-of-tenancy, or specialist cleaning, a cleaning company is usually the better option.

What Is a Fair Cleaner Price in London?

A fair cleaner price in London is usually one that reflects the time, travel, quality, reliability, and level of cleaning required.

For regular home cleaning, expect many London quotes to sit somewhere around:

£18–£30 per hour

Lower prices may be available, especially with independent cleaners. Higher prices may apply for professional companies, deep cleaning, one-off cleaning, specialist work, or properties that need more detailed attention.

How to Get Better Value From Your Cleaner

To get the best value, do not just look for the cheapest hourly price. Look at what is included.

Before booking, ask:

  • Are cleaning products included?
  • Is there a minimum booking time?
  • Is this regular cleaning or deep cleaning?
  • Are carpets, ovens, or upholstery included?
  • Is the quote hourly or fixed?
  • Are there extra charges for parking, travel, or specialist tasks?
  • Can the service be booked regularly?

The cheapest cleaner is not always the best value if the work is rushed, unreliable, or incomplete.

When Should You Book Deep Cleaning Instead?

Book deep cleaning instead of regular cleaning when:

  • The property has not been cleaned properly in a while
  • You are moving in or moving out
  • You are preparing for guests
  • There is visible build-up in kitchens or bathrooms
  • You need end-of-tenancy cleaning
  • You want a full reset before starting regular cleaning

A smart approach is to book a deep clean first, then move into regular cleaning after that. This keeps the property easier to maintain.

So, How Much Is a Cleaner Per Hour in London?

In 2026, a cleaner in London usually costs around:

£15–£30 per hour

For regular domestic cleaning, a realistic budget is often:

£18–£25 per hour

For professional cleaning companies, deep cleaning, or more detailed services, the price may be:

£25–£30+ per hour

The final cost depends on your property, cleaning needs, frequency, and the type of service you choose.

How Much Is a Cleaner Per Hour in London - A beautiful old woman smiling and waving in a London street

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a cleaner cost per hour in London?

A cleaner in London usually costs between £15 and £30 per hour, depending on the cleaner, property size, cleaning frequency, and type of cleaning required.

Is regular cleaning cheaper than deep cleaning?

Yes. Regular cleaning is usually cheaper because it focuses on ongoing maintenance. Deep cleaning is more detailed and usually takes longer.

How much does a weekly cleaner cost in London?

A weekly cleaner may cost around £18–£25 per hour, depending on the provider and number of hours booked.

How many hours do I need a cleaner for?

A small flat may need 2–3 hours, while larger homes may need 4–5 hours or more. Deep cleaning usually requires longer.

Is a cleaning company more expensive than an independent cleaner?

Usually, yes. Cleaning companies may cost more, but they often provide better structure, booking support, reliability, and service coverage.

Need a Cleaner in London?

PHT Cleaning provides reliable cleaning services in London for homes, businesses, and custom cleaning needs.

Whether you need regular cleaning, deep cleaning, commercial cleaning, end-of-tenancy cleaning, carpet cleaning, or commercial kitchen cleaning, our team is ready to help.

Get a free quote today and find the right cleaning service for your space.