TL;DR: London cleaning is thriving in 2026, with a record industry value, higher pay floors, and new sick pay rights that now reach part time and gig cleaners. Demand is strong and dependable cleaners are scarce, so the smart move for households is to post a clear job and pay fairly, and for cleaners it is a great time to find steady local work.
Key facts
- The UK cleaning, hygiene and waste sector is now worth a record £66.9bn and employs around 1.49 million people, according to the British Cleaning Council's 2026 research.
- The National Living Wage rose to £12.71 an hour on 1 April 2026, a 4.1% increase for workers aged 21 and over.
- New Statutory Sick Pay rules took effect on 6 April 2026, with pay from the first qualifying day and the lower earnings threshold removed, so many part time and gig cleaners now qualify for the first time.
- In London, independent cleaners typically charge £15 to £20 an hour, agencies £22 to £26, regular domestic cleaning runs £20 to £28, and deep cleans £25 to £45.
- Around 40% of UK homeowners under 35 now employ a cleaner.
A record year for the industry
The British Cleaning Council reported in early 2026 that the cleaning, hygiene and waste sector has grown to a record £66.9bn, up more than ten percent in twelve months. That keeps cleaning firmly among the UK's top ten industries by value, supporting roughly 1.49 million jobs. For a trade that often goes unseen, those are serious numbers, and they show how central reliable cleaning has become to homes, offices, and short lets across the capital.
London sits at the heart of that growth. Longer working hours, an ageing population, and a busy short let market mean more households than ever want help at home. The demand is real, and it is steady.
Pay is rising, and so are your rights
Two changes matter most for cleaners this year. First, the National Living Wage climbed to £12.71 an hour on 1 April 2026. In London many cleaners earn well above that, since independent rates commonly sit between £15 and £20 an hour, and the voluntary London Living Wage is £13.85.
Second, Statutory Sick Pay changed on 6 April 2026. Waiting days were abolished, so pay starts from the first qualifying day of illness, and the lower earnings threshold was removed. In plain terms, many part time and lower paid cleaners now qualify for sick pay for the first time. If you clean for several households, it is worth understanding how these rights apply to your working pattern.
The supply squeeze, and what it means for clients
Here is the tension. Demand keeps climbing, but dependable cleaners are harder to find. Labour shortages since Brexit and fewer young people entering hourly service roles have tightened supply, and cleaning wages of roughly £12 to £14 an hour fall below the salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa, so that route does not help fill the gap.
For households the takeaway is simple. Good cleaners can pick their clients, so a clear job post and fair pay win the day. Describe the property, the hours, whether it is a regular clean or a one off deep clean, and be upfront about rates. That respect is what keeps a great cleaner coming back.
Where CQD New Gen fits
This is exactly the friction we built CQD New Gen to remove. Posting a cleaning job is always free, with no fees to post and no commission taken from anyone. Households and short let hosts write a short job, set the hours and pay, and get matched with local cleaners. Cleaners browse and apply for free, keep one hundred percent of what they earn, and build a profile that travels with them.
Whether you are hiring a cleaner in Kensington or looking for cleaning work in Croydon, you can get started in minutes. No agency markup, no lead fees, just a direct match between people who need a clean home and people who do great work.
FAQ
How much does a house cleaner cost in London in 2026?
Independent cleaners in London typically charge £15 to £20 an hour, while agencies charge £22 to £26. Regular domestic cleaning usually runs £20 to £28 an hour, and a deep clean is around £25 to £45 an hour depending on the size and condition of the home.
Is it free to post a cleaning job on CQD New Gen?
Yes. Posting a cleaning job is always free, with no fees to post and no commission. Cleaners also join and apply for free and keep everything they earn.
Do London cleaners now get sick pay?
From 6 April 2026 Statutory Sick Pay is paid from the first qualifying day and the lower earnings threshold was removed, so many part time and lower paid cleaners qualify for the first time. How it applies depends on your working pattern, so check your specific situation.
Why is it hard to find a reliable cleaner right now?
Demand for home cleaning keeps rising while the supply of dependable cleaners is tight, partly due to labour shortages and visa rules that exclude most cleaning roles. Posting a clear job and paying fairly is the best way to attract and keep a great cleaner.
How do I find cleaning work in London?
Create a free cleaner profile, set your area and availability, then browse and apply to local jobs. On CQD New Gen there are no fees and no commission, so you keep one hundred percent of your pay.