Cost weekly cleaning.

Weekly domestic cleaning in the UK typically costs £40–£100 per visit for a 2–4 hour booking, working out at £15–£28 per hour. Most homes settle on either weekly or fortnightly; weekly is the right cadence for families with children, pets, or anyone working long hours. Fortnightly works for low-traffic homes and singles who keep on top of mess between visits.

Long-term arrangements typically attract a small discount over one-off bookings — many cleaners charge £2–£4/hour less for a regular weekly slot.

Typical UK weekly costs by home size

London / South East: add 20–30% to these figures. Major Northern cities (Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool): typically at the lower end. Rural areas: variable, often higher because of cleaner travel time.

What's typically included weekly

• Kitchen — wipe down surfaces, sink, hob top (not inside oven), mop floor, empty bin.
• Bathrooms — clean toilet, basin, bath/shower, mirror, mop floor.
• Bedrooms — make beds, change bedding (when fresh sheets are out), dust, vacuum.
• Living areas — dust surfaces, vacuum carpets, mop hard floors, fluff cushions.
• Hallways and stairs — vacuum, wipe banisters and skirtings.
• Laundry — sometimes included (a load of washing in/out of the machine; usually not folding or ironing).

What's typically NOT included

• Inside the oven, fridge or microwave
• Window cleaning (interior or exterior glass)
• Wardrobes, drawers, cupboard interiors
• Behind/under heavy appliances
• Ironing (separate service, usually £15–£25/hour)
• Light DIY (changing bulbs, hanging pictures)

These are typically added as deep-clean tasks every quarter or arranged separately.

Setting expectations on the first visit

The first visit is always longer — often double the eventual regular slot — because the cleaner is establishing the baseline. After 2–3 visits, they know the home, the products, and the priorities. The hourly rate should be the same; the time required drops.

Walk through the house with them on visit one. Point out: rooms / surfaces to skip, products you don't want used (e.g., bleach, scented sprays), preferred order of work, where keys / alarm codes are if you'll be out.

Things people often miss

• Cancellation policy — most regular cleaners ask for 24–48 hours' notice. Last-minute cancellations may be charged at half rate, especially in busy weeks. Discuss upfront.
• Holiday cover — agency cleaners typically arrange substitutes for sickness/holidays. Self-employed cleaners usually can't, so factor in occasional missed weeks.
• Pet considerations — let the cleaner know about pets ahead of time. Some are uncomfortable around dogs or cats; most don't mind but appreciate animals being managed (in another room, in a crate) during the visit.
• Cleaning products supplied — most cleaners bring their own; if you want eco / fragrance-free / specific-brand products, expect to supply yourself or pay slightly more.
• Tipping and bonuses — not customary in the UK on the agreed hourly rate. A Christmas bonus (one extra visit's value) is appreciated for long-term arrangements.

Frequently asked questions

Want a local pro to handle this? Whether agency or self-employed, a regular weekly cleaner is one of the highest-leverage services for time-poor households. Worth comparing 2–3 options before committing — fit and reliability matter more than the £2/hour price difference.