London is one of the most active markets for cleaning professionals in the world. With over 9 million residents, a dense rental market, thousands of Airbnb properties, and a commercial sector that never stops, demand for reliable cleaners consistently outstrips supply — especially in inner boroughs like Hackney, Islington, Lambeth, and Southwark.
What types of cleaning work are available in London?
- Domestic cleaning — regular weekly or fortnightly visits to private homes
- Airbnb and short-let turnaround cleans — high frequency, often same-day bookings
- End-of-tenancy (EOT) cleans — one-off deep cleans required by landlords before new tenants move in
- Commercial office cleaning — early morning or evening contracts with businesses
- Post-construction cleaning — builders and developers need specialist clean-up after works
- Healthcare and school cleaning — regulated environments with specific training requirements
What rate should you charge in London?
London rates are higher than the rest of the UK, reflecting the cost of living and travel time. As a guide in 2026:
- Domestic cleaning: £14–£18/hour (self-employed, direct to client)
- Airbnb turnaround: £15–£22/hour or flat rate per property size
- End-of-tenancy: £150–£350 per property depending on size and condition
- Commercial cleaning: £13–£16/hour for standard contracts
Set your rate based on your borough. Cleaners in Kensington, Chelsea, and Westminster can typically charge 15–20% more than the London average due to client expectations and property sizes.
How to build a profile that gets matched
Employers searching for cleaners in London filter by postcode, service type, and availability. Your profile needs to be specific — not just "I clean houses" but "I specialise in Airbnb turnarounds in E1, E2, and E8, available Monday to Saturday from 9am."
- 1Use Voice Smart Fill — speak for 60 seconds and the AI builds your full profile automatically
- 2Set your postcode and travel radius accurately — London traffic means a 5-mile radius is often more practical than 10
- 3Upload your ID and DBS certificate to unlock the Silver and Gold trust badges
- 4List every service type you offer — employers filter by category
- 5Set your availability calendar — employers with urgent jobs filter for "available today"
DBS checks in London
London employers — particularly in the domestic and childcare-adjacent sectors — expect a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. You can apply for a basic DBS check directly through the government website for £18. Enhanced DBS checks are available through umbrella bodies if you work in regulated environments.
CQD displays your DBS badge once you upload your certificate. We do not conduct checks ourselves — the certificate must be issued by the DBS or an authorised umbrella body.
Getting your first match in London
Once your profile is live, the matching engine runs continuously. When an employer posts a job in your area with your service type, you receive a push notification immediately. The first 24 hours after profile completion typically generate the most match activity — employers see new profiles as fresh supply.
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