How much does a cleaner cost? [2024]

Whether you're too busy to clean, want to relax in your precious free time or want your house to be spotless, there are many good reasons to consider hiring a professional house cleaner.

House cleaners take care of most common cleaning tasks, including dusting, vacuuming, mopping and whole house tidying. You can also hire cleaners to do specific jobs such as oven cleaning, window cleaning and roof cleaning.

But how much do house cleaners cost, and is the convenience worth it? Read this guide to find out:

• What is included in a basic house cleaning job?
• What is not included in house cleaning services?
• How much does it cost to clean an entire house?
• What do most house cleaners charge per hour?
• What factors affect the cost of house cleaning?
• How much does a deep clean cost?
• What are the costs for other types of cleaning jobs?
• Why should I hire a cleaner?
• How long does it take for a cleaner to clean a 3, 4 or 5 bedroom house?
• What should I look for in hiring the best house cleaning company?

What is included in a basic house cleaning?

Routine cleaning services that house cleaners provide include:

• Vacuuming and mopping floors
• Wiping down and dusting surfaces
• General tidying up
• Emptying rubbish bins
• Bathroom cleaning
• Dish washing

If you need other types of cleaning, these can be discussed with your cleaner, but may involve a separate fee.

What is not included in house cleaning services?

If you need a deeper clean, such as a spring clean or end-of-lease bond cleaning, house cleaners may carry out additional tasks, including:

• Oven cleaning
• Fridge cleaning
• Carpet cleaning
• Window cleaning
• Blind or curtain cleaning
• Cleaning inside cabinets and appliances
• High ceilings
• Grout removal
• Garages and outdoor areas

Other tasks such as lawn mowing and gutter cleaning are outside the scope of most house cleaners and require other skilled tradies.

How much does it cost to clean an entire house?*

How much house cleaning costs mainly depends on the size of your home and the cleaning services you need. House cleaning for a whole house can cost anywhere from $60 for a small 1-bedroom home or apartment to $200 or more for a larger home.

Most cleaners charge an hourly rate, but some may charge a rate per room, per square metre or a flat rate for cleaning services.

What do most house cleaners charge per hour?*

Most house cleaners charge by the hour. In Australia, the general price for cleaners is between $30 and $60 per hour, depending on their experience and where you live.

House cleaning can take 1 - 2 hours for a smaller home or apartment or 3 - 5 hours for a house with 3, 4 or 5 bedrooms, so keep this in mind when comparing hourly rates.

If you need a deep clean or specific cleaning services, these will cost more than regular contract cleaning.

What factors affect the cost of house cleaning?

Your overall house cleaning cost can depend on many factors, including:

• The size of your home
• What cleaning services you need
• How often you arrange cleaning
• Whether it's routine cleaning or a deep clean
• Whether you use an independent cleaner or an agency
• What time cleaning is arranged
• Whether you provide cleaning supplies
• Local rates in your area
• Any access difficulties to your home

How much does a deep clean cost?*

If you need a spring clean, end-of-lease cleaning or other deep clean, this will take the cleaners longer and may require specialised skills and equipment, which will add to the cost.

Expect to pay anywhere from $70 - $400 or more for deep cleaning, depending on how much work is involved. Your cleaning company may charge a flat rate for deep cleaning, which will give you more security than an hourly rate.

Deep cleaning services not included in a standard clean may include:

• Cleaning ovens, fridges/freezers and other appliances
• Organising shelves and cabinets
• Interior and exterior window cleaning
• Cleaning carpets and furnishings
• Wiping ceiling fans

What are the costs for other types of cleaning jobs?*

If you only need to hire a cleaner for specific tasks, these may be charged at a flat rate or an hourly rate in addition to standard cleaning. Expect to pay around:

• $20 - $50 for fridge cleaning
• $30 - $150 for oven cleaning
• $30 - $100 for rangehoods
• $30 - $120 for floor cleaning
• $30 - $150 for window cleaning
• $40 - $200 for sofa cleaning
• $50 - $200 for high ceilings
• $50 - $200 for tile and grout cleaning
• $60 - $200 for carpet cleaning

Why should I hire a cleaner?

If you're not sure whether a house cleaner is worth the cost, here are some good reasons to consider hiring a cleaning service.

You'll have a cleaner home

Cleaners are professionals – if you choose to hire one, you have the peace of mind of knowing that your house will be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. In most cases, a professional will do a better job at cleaning your home than you or your family would. This will give you the satisfaction of knowing you're getting quality service and consistent results.

You'll have a healthier home

A clean house is also a healthier house. If you have pets or small children, your home will be a healthier environment for them, and you may even see a reduction in allergies or asthma symptoms because of the reduced dust and allergens.

Saves you time

If you work long hours during the week, have kids, or just lead a busy life, cleaning is probably the last thing on your mind and can get in the way of what's important. Having a clean house means there'll be one less item on your to-do list, so you'll get to spend more time doing the things that enrich your life.

Saves you money

Even though you're paying for a cleaning service, you might find that this saves you money in the long run. Cleaners bring their own supplies, so you won't have to restock those expensive cleaning products as often. Having a cleaner house also means you may not have to replace old or dirty items such as furniture, rugs and carpets. This can be especially important if you live in a rental home, as hiring a cleaner can save on bond cleaning in the long run.

Less stress

A clean house means a clearer mind. You could find that coming home to a clean house means you're less stressed in the long run. If you're waiting for a property inspection, hiring a professional could give you peace of mind and a sense of relief, knowing that you have a clean and tidy house at the end of the day.

How long does it take for a cleaner to clean a 3, 4 or 5 bedroom house?

How long it takes to clean a house depends on its size, what cleaning is being done and how clean it is to start with. Regular cleaning should take around:

• 2 - 3 hours for a 1-bedroom house or apartment
• 3 - 4 hours for a 2 to 3-bedroom home
• 4 - 5 hours for a 4 to 5-bedroom home

What should I look for in hiring the best house cleaning company?

One decision to make when choosing a house cleaner is whether to use an independent cleaner or a cleaning agency. Independent cleaners can sometimes be cheaper, but an agency may provide more services and assurances.

Questions to ask your house cleaners include:

• What services are included?
• Do you provide extra services?
• Are you insured?
• Is the work guaranteed?
• Are your cleaners vetted?
• Can you provide references?

When you're comparing quotes for house cleaning prices, don't just go with the cheapest rate. Make sure you're getting the services you need and choose a professional you trust to take care of your home.

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.