How Much Does House Cleaning Cost?
$120 to $300 per visit is the typical cost for a standard house cleaning of a 3-bedroom home, with the national average around $180. Deep cleaning runs $200 to $500, and move-in/move-out cleaning costs $250 to $600. Weekly recurring service is 15 to 25% cheaper per visit than one-time cleaning because the home stays in a maintained state between visits.
Hiring a professional cleaner frees up 3 to 5 hours per week of your time. For many busy households, the cost is easily justified by the time saved and the consistency of results. Regular professional cleaning also helps maintain your home's condition and can extend the life of surfaces, fixtures, and flooring. Pair interior cleaning with exterior pressure washing ($175 to $400) for a full property refresh.
House Cleaning Cost by Home Size
Cleaning a studio or 1-bedroom apartment costs $80 to $150 per visit, while a 5-bedroom home costs $250 to $500 or more. Home size is the single biggest pricing factor because larger homes require more time, more supplies, and often more than one cleaner on-site. The table below breaks down average per-visit costs by home size for standard cleaning.
| Home Size | Cost per Visit |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom apartment | $80 - $150 |
| 2-bedroom home (1,000-1,500 sq ft) | $100 - $200 |
| 3-bedroom home (1,500-2,000 sq ft) | $140 - $270 |
| 4-bedroom home (2,000-3,000 sq ft) | $180 - $350 |
| 5+ bedroom home (3,000+ sq ft) | $250 - $500+ |
Cost by Cleaning Type
Standard recurring cleaning costs $100 to $250 per visit, while post-construction cleaning runs $300 to $800. The type of cleaning you need determines both the price and the scope of work involved. One-time deep cleans and move-out cleans cost significantly more than recurring visits because they require detailed attention to areas that are normally skipped during routine maintenance.
| Cleaning Type | Cost Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (recurring) cleaning | $100 - $250 per visit | Regular maintenance of all rooms. Assumes home is maintained between visits. |
| Deep cleaning | $200 - $500 | Inside appliances, baseboards, light fixtures, behind furniture, cabinet faces. |
| Move-in / move-out cleaning | $250 - $600 | Inside all cabinets, closets, appliances. May include carpet shampooing. |
| Post-construction cleaning | $300 - $800 | Removes dust, debris, and residue. Requires specialized equipment. |
| Spring / seasonal deep clean | $200 - $450 | Window interiors, curtain dusting, detailed kitchen/bathroom scrubbing. |
Factors That Affect House Cleaning Cost
$120 to $300 per visit is the typical range, and several key factors determine where your project falls within it.
Home Size (Bedrooms and Bathrooms)
Each additional bathroom adds $20 to $40 to the per-visit cost, and each additional bedroom adds $15 to $30. Most cleaning services price by number of bedrooms and bathrooms rather than raw square footage, because kitchens and bathrooms take the most time to clean. A 4-bedroom, 3-bath home typically costs 30 to 50% more than a 2-bedroom, 1-bath home.
Frequency
Weekly recurring service saves 15 to 25% per visit compared to one-time cleaning. Biweekly is the most popular frequency and offers 10 to 15% savings. Monthly service has minimal discount over one-time rates. The home stays cleaner between visits with recurring service, reducing the time needed for each session.
Current Condition
First-time clients often need a deep clean ($200 to $500) before transitioning to regular recurring service at the lower standard rate. A well-maintained home is cheaper to clean than one that has not been professionally cleaned in years. Homes with visible mold or mildew in bathrooms may need professional mold remediation ($1,100 to $3,400) before routine cleaning can begin. For offices and retail spaces, commercial cleaning ($0.10 to $0.25 per square foot) follows different pricing than residential service. If you need a major cleanout before starting regular service, junk removal ($150 to $600 per load) can clear out accumulated clutter first.
Location
House cleaning rates vary by 20 to 40% depending on your metro area. Major cities like San Francisco, New York, and Boston run 25 to 35% above the national average due to higher labor costs and cost of living. Midwestern and Southern markets like Indianapolis, Memphis, and Kansas City tend to fall 15 to 20% below national averages. Rural areas are sometimes more expensive than nearby suburbs because fewer cleaning services operate there, reducing competition.
Pets
Homes with pets cost 5 to 15% more per cleaning visit due to extra vacuuming for pet hair, cleaning pet areas, and addressing odors. Some cleaners charge a flat pet surcharge of $10 to $30 per visit. Multiple large dogs or shedding breeds push costs toward the higher end of that range. Deep cleaning sometimes reveals that carpets are too worn or stained to recover, in which case carpet replacement ($3 to $11 per square foot) may be worth considering.
Add-On Services
Common add-ons cost $15 to $75 each and can increase your total by 20 to 50%. Inside-oven cleaning typically adds $25 to $50. Interior window cleaning runs $3 to $8 per window. Refrigerator cleaning costs $25 to $45. Laundry folding adds $20 to $40 per load. Organizing closets or pantries costs $30 to $75 per area. Ask for a detailed quote if you want services beyond the standard package so there are no surprises on your invoice.
Provider Type
Independent cleaners charge $25 to $45 per hour, while cleaning companies charge $35 to $65 per hour. Independent cleaners typically cost $100 to $200 per visit for a typical home, while companies charge $150 to $300 per visit but carry insurance, background check employees, and provide backup staff. App-based services (Handy, Homeaglow) fall in between at $30 to $50 per hour.
Monthly Cost for Recurring Service
Monthly costs range from $160 for a single monthly visit up to $850 or more for weekly service. Below are typical monthly totals for a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home at each frequency level:
- Weekly cleaning: $480 to $850 per month (4 visits)
- Biweekly cleaning: $280 to $520 per month (2 visits)
- Monthly cleaning: $160 to $300 per month (1 visit)
The annual cost of weekly cleaning for a typical home falls between $5,760 and $10,200. Biweekly service, the most popular option, costs $3,360 to $6,240 per year. Many homeowners start with biweekly and adjust up or down based on how their home looks between visits.
How to Save Money on House Cleaning
$20 to $80 in potential savings is achievable with the right approach. These tips can help reduce your total cost.
- Sign up for recurring service. Weekly and biweekly plans cost 15 to 25% less per visit than one-time bookings. Over a year, biweekly service saves $300 to $600 compared to booking the same number of one-time cleanings.
- Declutter before the cleaner arrives. Picking up toys, dishes, and clutter saves the cleaner time, which saves you money if they charge by the hour. Even flat-rate cleaners appreciate a tidy starting point because it lets them focus on actual cleaning.
- Provide your own supplies. Some cleaners charge $10 to $20 less per visit if you supply cleaning products and equipment. Others bring everything included in the price. Ask upfront so you can compare quotes accurately.
- Hire an independent cleaner. Independent cleaners are 20 to 40% cheaper than companies. Ask for referrals from neighbors, local Facebook groups, or Nextdoor. Always verify they carry their own liability insurance before hiring.
- Focus on high-impact areas. If budget is tight, hire a cleaner for just bathrooms and kitchen, the most time-consuming areas, and handle the rest yourself. This can cut costs by 30 to 40%.
- Book during off-peak times. Midweek appointments (Tuesday through Thursday) are often $10 to $20 cheaper than Friday or weekend slots because demand is lower.
- Bundle with other home services. Some cleaning companies offer discounts when you pair interior cleaning with exterior services like window cleaning and replacement ($300 to $800 per window) or a seasonal deep clean.
Planning to DIY? Doing it yourself? Professional-grade cleaning supplies and equipment are available online.
Shop on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
How much does house cleaning cost?
House cleaning costs $120 to $300 per visit for a standard clean of a typical 3-bedroom home, with the national average around $180. Deep cleaning costs $200 to $500 because it covers areas skipped during regular maintenance, such as inside appliances and behind furniture. Move-in/move-out cleaning costs $250 to $600 depending on the home's size and condition. Recurring weekly service is 15 to 25% cheaper per visit than one-time bookings because the home requires less work each session.
How much does deep cleaning a house cost?
Deep cleaning costs $200 to $500 for a typical home, which is roughly 1.5 to 2 times the price of a standard cleaning. It includes detailed work inside appliances, along baseboards, on light fixtures, window sills, and cabinet faces. Most cleaning services require a deep clean as the first visit before starting a recurring plan, since regular cleaning assumes a maintained baseline. Homes that have not been professionally cleaned in over a year should expect costs at the higher end of this range.
What is included in a standard house cleaning?
Standard cleaning includes dusting all surfaces, vacuuming and mopping floors, sanitizing bathrooms (toilets, sinks, showers, mirrors), cleaning kitchen surfaces and the stovetop, emptying trash cans, and making beds. Services not typically included are inside-oven cleaning, inside-refrigerator cleaning, interior window washing, laundry, dishes, and organizing or decluttering. If you need those extras, ask your cleaner about add-on pricing, which usually runs $15 to $75 per task. Most cleaners will customize their standard package if you discuss your priorities during the initial walkthrough or phone consultation.
Is it cheaper to hire a company or an independent cleaner?
Independent cleaners are typically 20 to 40% cheaper than cleaning companies, charging $25 to $45 per hour compared to $35 to $65 per hour for companies. However, cleaning companies carry liability insurance, run background checks on employees, provide their own supplies, and offer backup staff if your regular cleaner is sick or unavailable. Independent cleaners offer a more personal relationship and often more flexible scheduling. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize cost savings or the added protections and consistency that come with a company.