A house cleaner in the UK usually costs between £18 and £30 an hour in 2026. Cleaning agencies tend to charge £25 to £30 an hour on average, while independent cleaners charge around £25, according to Checkatrade’s house cleaning cost guide. In Essex, most homes pay less: our regular cleans at ScrubbyDo cost £18 to £22 an hour, so a weekly 3 hour clean of a three bedroom house works out at about £54 to £66.
We are a cleaning company based in Rayleigh, and we clean homes across Essex, Kent and London every week. This guide explains what a cleaner really costs, how many hours your home needs, what changes the price, and how to choose between an agency and an independent cleaner.
How much does a cleaner cost per hour?
Hourly rates depend mostly on where you live and who you hire. As a guide for 2026:
| Type of cleaner | Typical hourly rate |
|---|---|
| ScrubbyDo regular clean (Essex) | £18 to £22 |
| ScrubbyDo one off clean (Essex) | £22 to £28 |
| Independent cleaner, UK average | Around £25 |
| Cleaning agency, UK average | £25 to £30 |
| London cleaners | Often £25 to £35 |
Regular cleaners are cheaper per hour than one off cleans because the home is already kept to a good standard, so each visit is quicker and easier to plan.
ScrubbyDo cleaning prices in Essex
These are our guide prices for domestic cleaning in Rayleigh, Southend, Basildon, Chelmsford and the surrounding areas.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Weekly or fortnightly clean | £18 to £22 per hour |
| One off clean | £22 to £28 per hour |
| Deep clean, 2 bedroom home | £180 to £260 |
| Deep clean, 3 bedroom house | £240 to £340 |
| Oven clean add on | From £50 |
| Carpet or sofa cleaning | Quoted per job |
Prices updated November 2026. Your price is confirmed before the first visit, our cleaners bring every product, and you only pay once the clean is done.
How many hours of cleaning does my home need?
Most people book too few hours at first. As a rough guide for a regular clean of a home that is kept fairly tidy:
| Home size | Hours per visit | Weekly cost at £20 an hour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom flat | 2 hours | £40 |
| 2 bedroom flat or house | 2 to 3 hours | £40 to £60 |
| 3 bedroom house | 3 hours | £60 |
| 4 bedroom house | 4 hours or more | £80 or more |
Add extra time if you have pets, young children, more than one bathroom, or if you want jobs like ironing, changing beds or cleaning inside the fridge included.
Weekly, fortnightly or monthly: what does it cost?
How often you book makes a big difference to your monthly spend. For a three bedroom house at £20 an hour:
- Weekly, 3 hours a visit: about £260 a month
- Fortnightly, 3 to 4 hours a visit: about £130 to £175 a month
- Monthly, 4 to 5 hours a visit: about £80 to £100 a month
Fortnightly visits often need a little more time each visit because more dust and grime builds up between cleans. Weekly cleaning costs more overall, but the home never gets out of hand.
What affects the price of a cleaner?
The size of your home
More bedrooms and bathrooms mean more hours. Bathrooms and kitchens take the longest, so a small house with two bathrooms can need as much time as a bigger home with one.
How often you book
Regular weekly or fortnightly cleans have the lowest hourly rate. One off cleans cost more per hour because the cleaner is starting from scratch and the work is harder to predict.
The condition of the home
If the home has not been cleaned properly for a while, the first visit will take longer. Many people start with a deep clean, then switch to regular visits to keep it at that standard.
Deep cleans and extras
A deep clean goes far beyond a regular clean: inside cupboards and appliances, skirting boards, limescale, grout and behind furniture. That is why it is usually priced as a fixed job rather than by the hour. Extras like oven cleaning, carpet cleaning and inside windows also add to the cost.
Who supplies the products
Some cleaners expect you to provide products and equipment. Others, like ScrubbyDo, bring everything. Check this before you compare prices, because supplying your own adds to the real cost.
Where you live
Cleaners in London and the South East charge more than in most other parts of the UK. Essex prices usually sit a little below London rates.
Agency or independent cleaner: which is better?
Both can be a good choice. The right one depends on what matters most to you.
| Cleaning company or agency | Independent cleaner | |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | Usually a little higher | Often a little lower |
| Vetting and checks | Done for you | You need to check yourself |
| Insurance | Usually included | Not always in place |
| Cover for holidays or illness | A replacement can be sent | Visits may be missed |
| Products and equipment | Often supplied | Varies |
| Complaints | Handled by the company | Sorted out between you |
If you hire an independent cleaner, ask whether they have public liability insurance, references from other clients and a clear agreement about what is included in each visit.
What is included in a regular clean?
A standard regular clean usually covers:
- Kitchen: worktops, hob, sink and taps, the outside of appliances and cupboard doors, and the floor
- Bathrooms: toilet, bath, shower, sink, taps, mirrors and the floor
- Bedrooms and living areas: dusting surfaces, skirting boards and light switches, vacuuming carpets and mopping hard floors
- General: emptying bins, tidying and making beds if you ask
Inside the oven, inside the fridge, windows and ironing are normally extras. Our domestic cleaning page shows exactly what each of our visits includes.
How much does a deep clean cost?
A one off deep clean is usually priced by the job. In Essex, expect to pay around £180 to £260 for a two bedroom home and £240 to £340 for a three bedroom house with ScrubbyDo. A deep clean typically takes a team most of a day.
If you are moving out of a rented home, you need an end of tenancy clean instead, which follows the check out inventory. Our guide to end of tenancy cleaning prices covers those costs in detail.
How to keep the cost down
- Book regular visits. Weekly or fortnightly cleaning has the lowest hourly rate.
- Tidy before the cleaner arrives. Your cleaner can spend their time cleaning rather than picking things up.
- Start with a deep clean. It makes every regular visit after it quicker.
- Prioritise the rooms that matter. Ask your cleaner to focus on the kitchen and bathrooms if time is short.
- Ask for a fixed price for one off jobs. That way the bill cannot creep up.
Questions to ask before you hire a cleaner
- What is your hourly rate, and is there a minimum number of hours?
- Do you bring cleaning products and equipment?
- Are your cleaners vetted and insured?
- Will I have the same cleaner each visit?
- What happens if my cleaner is ill or on holiday?
- How do I pay, and when?
- What happens if I am not happy with a clean?
Get a price for your home
ScrubbyDo provides vetted, insured cleaners across Rayleigh, Southend, Basildon, Chelmsford and the rest of Essex, as well as Kent and London. Regular cleans start from £18 an hour, all products are included, and you only pay once the clean is done.
Get a free quote, call us on 01268 261179, or send us a message on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
What is the going rate for a cleaner in 2026?
The going rate for a cleaner in the UK is roughly £18 to £30 an hour. Most of Essex sits around £18 to £25, while London is usually £25 to £35.
How much does a cleaner cost per week?
A weekly 3 hour clean of a three bedroom house costs about £54 to £66 in Essex at £18 to £22 an hour. Smaller flats may only need 2 hours, which is around £36 to £44 a week.
Is it cheaper to hire a cleaner weekly or fortnightly?
Fortnightly is cheaper per month, but each visit may need an extra hour. Weekly costs more overall but keeps the home consistently clean with less effort per visit.
Do I have to provide cleaning products?
It depends on the cleaner. Many independent cleaners use your products, while most cleaning companies, including ScrubbyDo, bring everything they need.
Should I tip my cleaner?
Tipping is not expected in the UK. Many people give a small thank you at Christmas, often around one week’s cleaning fee, or a tip after a particularly big job.
Do I need to be at home when the cleaner comes?
No. Lots of customers leave a key or a key safe code, especially for regular cleans. Just make sure you agree how keys are kept safe before the first visit.
