The best way to charge for cleaning is using flat-rate pricing for recurring residential jobs and an hourly rate for one-time, deep, or move-out cleanings. Prices should cover your expenses and align with your local market rates.
How much should I charge to clean someone's house? Most house cleaners charge $50 per hour, or a flat rate of $200–$400 for a standard 2,000-square-foot home. Deep cleaning typically costs $240–$500, while post-construction cleaning can run around $500.
The 3-30 rule (sometimes called the 30-3 rule) is a productivity method where you divide your daily household chores into three 30-minute sessions throughout the day. By breaking up the total 1.5 hours of cleaning, you avoid burnout and prevent messes from piling up.
The 20/10 cleaning method is a productivity hack that involves cleaning or decluttering for 20 minutes, followed immediately by a 10-minute break. Popularized by organizer Rachel Hoffman in Unfck Your Habitat*, it prevents burnout by breaking daunting chores into manageable chunks and rewarding you with a dedicated rest period.
From this perspective, $50/hour is generally considered above average but not unreasonable for professional services. It reflects a market service rate rather than a worker's wage, making it fair in many areas, especially when hiring insured companies or premium cleaning providers.
Of course, the cleaning routine will vary depending on your needs each week, but in 2 hours you should expect your cleaner to:
This would include some of the following tasks: Vacuuming the entire house. Cleaning the bathrooms, including toilets, sinks, showers and baths. Cleaning the kitchen, including mopping the floor.
The cost of hiring a house cleaner in London depends on factors such as the type of service,location, experience and additional tasks. For basic cleaning you can expect to pay £16-£20 per hour or £16-£80 per visit for a flat or house. Prices are higher for one-off deep cleanings.
Rule 1: Clean From Higher to Lower Surfaces
Cleaning from higher surfaces downwards keeps dust and debris from falling onto areas you've already cleaned. Start with ceiling fans, vents, light fixtures, and high shelves. Then move to windows, countertops, and furniture. Finish with the floors.
Pathogens can grow to unsafe levels in the food after four hours. If that happens, not even cooking will make it safe. To prevent these pathogens from making people sick, clean and sanitize utensils and equipment every four hours.
Aside from the occasional in-depth cleaning sessions, you can stay on top of daily dirt and grime in just 30 minutes a day (or less!). With just a little organization and pre-planning, you'll breeze through basic cleaning tasks in no time.
What should a cleaning quote include?
One-Off and Deep Cleaning Costs
One-off or deep cleaning services typically cost £20 to £30+ per hour. A standard house visit for a deep clean costs between £80 and £150+ depending on property size and condition.
A tidy space allows cleaners to work more efficiently and ensures you get the most value from their time. You don't need to clean before cleaners come, but you should declutter high-traffic areas, clear surfaces, and prep tasks like stripping beds if agreed upon.
Day to Day Domestic Cleaning Prices
The average price is approximately R450. 00 per day or depending on the tasks and if the service includes more than one cleaner the price could be anywhere between R450. 00 and R2000. 00 per day.
This rule suggests that you set aside three 30-minute slots each day for household tasks of your choosing - totalling an hour and a half of manageable cleaning that won't take over your life, but still leave your home clean.
The 80/20 rule (the Pareto Principle) in cleaning dictates that 20% of your cleaning efforts yield 80% of the visible results. By targeting high-impact tasks first—such as clearing flat surfaces, wiping high-traffic areas, and making beds—you create an instantly cleaner environment without obsessing over perfection.
The 20/10 cleaning method is a productivity hack that involves cleaning or decluttering for 20 minutes, followed immediately by a 10-minute break. Popularized by organizer Rachel Hoffman in Unfck Your Habitat*, it prevents burnout by breaking daunting chores into manageable chunks and rewarding you with a dedicated rest period.
The 20-minute rule in cleaning (often combined with the 10-minute break as the 20/10 Rule) is a productivity method where you set a timer and clean as quickly and intensely as possible for 20 minutes. When the timer goes off, you immediately stop cleaning and take a mandatory 10-minute break.
From our experience across hundreds of London homes, two hours is usually enough to cover a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom flat. A typical clean might include: Kitchen surfaces wiped and sanitised. Bathroom cleaned top to bottom.
The 5-5-5 decluttering rule is a simple micro-organization method designed to prevent burnout by breaking big messes into manageable tasks. It involves three quick, daily actions: