Pay Cleaning Staff: How to Fairly Compensate Cleaners in the UK

When you pay cleaning staff, you’re not just writing a check — you’re building trust, ensuring quality, and following the law. Whether you’re a homeowner hiring a cleaner for the first time or a business managing a team, getting pay right matters. A cleaner who feels valued shows up on time, does thorough work, and sticks around. In the UK, the minimum wage for over-23s is £11.44 an hour as of April 2024, but many professional cleaners earn more — especially if they bring their own supplies, handle heavy-duty jobs, or work in London or other high-cost areas.

People often confuse cleaning staff, paid workers hired to maintain homes or offices with self-employed cleaners, independent contractors who invoice for services. If you hire someone as an employee, you must pay National Insurance, give holiday pay, and follow employment law. If you hire them as self-employed, they handle their own taxes — but you can’t control their hours or methods like you would an employee. Many families and small businesses in Leeds, Manchester, or Bristol now use agencies that handle payroll and insurance, which takes the guesswork out of hiring a cleaner, finding reliable, vetted help for your space.

What you pay also depends on what you need. A quick 1-hour tidy-up for a small flat might cost £12–£15 an hour. A deep clean of a 3-bed house? That’s often £25–£40 total, or £15–£20/hour if it takes 2+ hours. Commercial cleaners in offices or clinics usually charge £15–£25/hour because they work after hours, use industrial gear, and follow strict hygiene rules. Some cleaners charge by the job — not the hour — especially if they’re experienced and efficient. If you’re paying below £10/hour, you’re likely getting someone who’s underpaid, overworked, or not insured. And if you’re paying £30+/hour for basic dusting? You might be overpaying unless it’s a specialist or high-end service.

Don’t forget benefits. Many cleaners expect paid holidays, sick pay, and maybe even travel time covered. If you’re asking them to come at 7am on a Saturday, that’s premium time. Some clients offer bonuses after 6 months or for taking on extra tasks like fridge cleaning or window washing. It’s not just about fairness — it’s about keeping good help. The best cleaners in the UK aren’t just good with a mop; they’re reliable, honest, and consistent. You don’t want to replace them every few months.

Below, you’ll find real advice from people who’ve been there — from how to handle end-of-tenancy cleaning costs to whether you can claim cleaning fees on your taxes, and what tools and products pros actually use. No fluff. Just what works.