House Cleaning Prices: How Much Does a Cleaning Cost?

We all want a clean home, but sometimes we're too busy to do it ourselves. 

That's where hiring a cleaner can be a game-changer — having someone to take care of the cleaning relieves the stress from your plate and significantly enhances your quality of life.

But how much exactly does it cost to hire a cleaner?

In this article, we explore average house cleaning prices, how many hours it typically takes to clean a home, and how you can save money when hiring your first cleaner.

Check the Homeaglow pricing page for the current price of a cleaning in your area.

House cleaning prices: Average cost

The average hourly cost for house cleaning across the country is $72.50, with hourly rates ranging all the way from $25 to $121.70. The exact rate you’ll be charged depends on factors such as your location, the services included in your cleaning, and the cleaning company you choose.

Average hourly rates vary by median household income, but not necessarily in the way you’d expect. Cleaning rates per hour are highest in areas with a higher median income and lowest in areas with a medium median income. Areas with a low median income pay an average hourly rate somewhere in the middle.

Higher median household income areas

The average hourly cost for house cleaning in higher median household income areas is $72.70. Hourly rates range in price wildly from $25 to $121.70.

Medium median household income area

The average hourly cost for house cleaning in medium median household income areas is $58.80. Hourly rates range in price from $38 to $107.50.

Lower median household income areas

The average hourly cost for house cleaning in lower median household income areas is $69.90. Hourly rates range in price from $42 to $112.50.

Hourly rates for the top 5 cleaning services

Rates for the top five cleaning companies vary between $18 and $130 an hour.

• Homeaglow: $18 - $48 per hour
• Merry Maids: $130 per hour
• Molly Maid: $95 per hour
• The Maids: $100 per hour
• Handy: $40 - $50 per hour

How many hours will it take to clean my home?

The time to clean your home depends on its size and the cleaning service you choose. Each house is unique in its layout and cleaning needs, and every cleaning company has different procedures, equipment, and levels of efficiency.

In general, small apartments with 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen and 1 bedroom take 3 hours. On the other hand, 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom homes require 4 hours, while larger homes with 3+ bedrooms and 3+ bathrooms need 6 hours for comprehensive cleaning. 

If you’re booking through Homeaglow, you can easily select the hours needed before scheduling and buy additional time if need be.

What is included in house cleaning service prices?

For most house cleaning services, a standard clean includes: 

• Washing dishes and kitchenware.
• Cleaning all appliance exteriors.
• Making the bed neatly, arranging pillows, and folding old laundry.
• Washing the sink, countertops, shower and bathtub.
• Wiping down mirrors and glass surfaces.
• Folding and hanging towels.
• Organizing, dusting and vacuuming.

How can I reduce the house cleaning costs for my home?

There are a few ways to reduce how much you spend to have someone clean your home.

Look for a service that offers reduced rates for members

One of the ways to reduce house cleaning costs is to look for home cleaning services that offer reduced rates for members, like Homeaglow’s ForeverClean Membership.

By purchasing a Homeaglow ForeverClean membership voucher, you save $30 per hour on all your future cleanings. This means that subsequent cleanings are charged at only $18 per hour, making it more affordable than 99% of professional cleaning companies.

Take advantage of introductory rates

Another way to reduce house cleaning costs is to take advantage of the introductory rate offered to first-time customers of home cleaning services (like Homeaglow). 

These rates may not lower the long-term cost, but they significantly reduce the price of the first cleaning. This allows you to experience the service at a subsidized rate and determine if it's worth the investment.

Is a house cleaner worth the cost?

Whether a house cleaner is worth the cost depends on the quality of service you receive. However, not all house cleaning services are the same, even if they offer similar hourly rates.

To ensure you're getting your money's worth, here are some things to consider:

Compare reviews

Before selecting a cleaner, it's essential to read reviews from previous customers. These reviews can give you insights into the specific cleaner's performance, ensuring you choose someone with a track record of providing quality service.

Shop around

Opt for services that allow you to choose your cleaner and offer the flexibility to try out different cleaners until you find the right match. This way, you can assess their skills and work style to see if they meet your expectations. 

Establish a relationship with a regular cleaner

Having a regular and familiar cleaner, as offered by some services like Homeaglow, can lead to better results in the long run. A regular cleaner who knows your home's layout and your specific cleaning preferences can be more efficient and effective, providing a higher level of service compared to rotating cleaners who may be less familiar with your home and needs. 

Hiring a house cleaner: next steps

If you're considering hiring a house cleaner, you can either hire one independently or through a professional platform like Homeaglow. 

While both options have their merits, hiring from a professional home cleaning company offers proper background checks, greater reliability, and easy scheduling. 

An additional advantage is that you have the option to browse through reviews and choose from a pool of cleaners on the company's website to ensure you find the right fit for your cleaning needs.

Methodology

The average hourly rates and ranges in this article are based on the rates of cleaning companies across the country. To gather this data, we contacted 150 different cleaning services by phone. Of these 150 services, 50 were located in lower median household income areas, 50 in medium median household income areas, and 50 in higher median household income areas.