Standard house cleaning in London runs about £18 to £25 per hour in 2026, with independents often cheaper and central postcodes higher. This guide breaks down real rates by home size and provider, what cleaners actually earn, and how to hire or find cleaning work for free.
Key facts
- Regular domestic cleaning in London: roughly £18 to £25 per hour in 2026.
- Independent, vetted cleaners: often £13 to £20 per hour. Agencies: £20 to £28 per hour.
- Deep cleans: about £20 to £30 per hour. End of tenancy: £180 to £500+ as a fixed job.
- Central London and Canary Wharf sit higher, commonly £22 to £35 per hour.
- On CQD New Gen, posting a cleaning job is free, always, with no commission taken from cleaners.
What a house cleaner costs in London in 2026
Prices depend on who you hire and where you live. For a regular weekly or fortnightly clean, most Londoners budget £18 to £25 per hour. A vetted independent cleaner typically charges £13 to £20 per hour, while a reputable agency charges £20 to £28 per hour. The agency premium of a few pounds an hour usually covers DBS checks, insurance, vetting, and a managed replacement if your cleaner is unavailable (Feel Clean, MyBuilder).
Location inside London matters too. Central boroughs and Canary Wharf can reach £22 to £35 per hour, inner areas sit around £18 to £28, and outer London tends to be £15 to £25 (St Anne's Housekeeping).
Cost by home size
A rough guide for a standard clean, using typical London rates:
- Studio or one bed flat: about 2 hours, roughly £36 to £50 per visit.
- Two bed flat or small house: about 3 hours, roughly £54 to £75 per visit.
- Three or four bed house: 4 hours or more, often £75 to £120 per visit.
Deep cleans and end of tenancy cleans are priced differently. A deep clean runs about £20 to £30 per hour, and a full end of tenancy clean is usually quoted as a fixed job from £180 to £500 or more, depending on size and condition (Cleaners of London).
What London cleaners actually earn
If you are looking for cleaning work rather than hiring, the picture matters. Going through an agency, a cleaner often keeps only part of the hourly rate the client pays, because the agency takes a cut for management and admin. Working directly with clients, a cleaner in London can realistically earn £15 to £22 per hour and keep all of it.
That is the core reason many cleaners are moving to direct platforms. On CQD New Gen, cleaners keep 100 percent of what they charge, because we do not take a commission. Clients post jobs, cleaners apply, and the two sides agree the rate between themselves.
How to hire a reliable cleaner
A fair price is only part of the story. Reliability and trust matter more over time. Before you book, check a few things:
- Ask about insurance and whether the cleaner has a DBS check.
- Confirm who supplies cleaning products and equipment.
- Agree the scope clearly, for example which rooms, how many hours, and how often.
- Start with a one off or trial clean before committing to a regular slot.
- Read reviews and ask for a reference if you can.
The simplest route is to post exactly what you need and let local cleaners come to you. On CQD New Gen you write a short job with your area, home size, and preferred day, and vetted cleaners nearby respond. Posting is free, and there are no fees to post, ever.
How to find cleaning work in London
If you clean for a living, or want to, demand in London is steady all year. To get started, build a simple profile that shows your experience, the areas you cover, and the services you offer, such as regular cleaning, deep cleans, or short let and Airbnb turnarounds. Short let cleaning in particular pays well because hosts need fast, reliable turnarounds between guests.
Set your own rate in line with the numbers above, be clear about what is included, and reply quickly to new job posts. On CQD New Gen you can browse cleaning jobs near you and apply for free, keep everything you earn, and build a repeat client base without an agency in the middle.
Whether you are hiring a cleaner or looking for cleaning work in London, you can start for free today. www.cqdnewgen.ai
FAQ
How much should I pay a cleaner per hour in London in 2026?
For a regular domestic clean, budget about £18 to £25 per hour. A vetted independent cleaner is often £13 to £20 per hour, while an agency is usually £20 to £28 per hour. Central London and deep cleans cost more.
Is it cheaper to hire an independent cleaner or an agency?
Independents are usually cheaper per hour because there is no agency margin. Agencies cost a little more but typically include insurance, DBS checks, vetting, and cover if your cleaner is off. On CQD New Gen you can hire vetted independents directly, so cleaners keep all they earn.
How much does a deep clean or end of tenancy clean cost in London?
A deep clean runs about £20 to £30 per hour. A full end of tenancy clean is usually quoted as a fixed job, commonly from £180 to £500 or more depending on the size and condition of the property.
How can I find cleaning work in London?
Create a profile, set your rate, and apply to local job posts. Short let and Airbnb turnarounds pay well. On CQD New Gen you can browse and apply to cleaning jobs for free and keep 100 percent of what you charge, with no commission.
Is it really free to post a cleaning job?
Yes. On CQD New Gen, posting a cleaning job is free, always, with no fees to post and no commission taken from cleaners. You only agree a rate directly with the cleaner you choose.