Hiring a cleaner
How much should you tip your house cleaner?
Tipping is never required, but it is common. Here is how most people handle tips for one-time cleans, regular visits and the holidays.
By Northern Virginia Housekeeping · 4 min read · Updated
There is no fixed rule for tipping house cleaners, and no good cleaner expects one. Still, most people want to know what is normal. These are the common habits, so you can pick what feels right for you.
One-time and deep cleans
For a one-time, deep or move-out clean, many people tip somewhere between 10 and 20 percent of the price. People tip toward the top of that range when the job was hard, like a home after a renovation or a move.
Regular visits
If the same team comes every week or two, most people do not tip every visit. Instead they give a holiday tip once a year, and sometimes a small extra after a visit that took more work than usual.
Holiday tips
A common holiday tip is about the price of one regular visit, split between the team. Some people add a card or a small gift. Either way, it is a thank-you, not a fee.
When to tip more
- Pet hair, a party or guests left more mess than usual
- Your team stayed late or squeezed you in
- Your cleaner handled something extra without being asked
When not tipping is fine
If you pay a fair price and you are happy, a kind word or a good review means a lot too. Reviews help small, local teams find new homes to clean.
