10 Tips for Hiring a Cleaner in London [2026 Guide]

Whether you're looking for regular domestic cleaning to keep on top of the housework, a one-off cleaning service before guests arrive, or professional help with end of tenancy cleaning to get your deposit back, these 10 tips will help you find the right cleaner for your needs.

1. Always Check for Insurance

This is non-negotiable when hiring a cleaner in London. If an uninsured cleaner damages your property or injures themselves in your home, you could be liable for the costs — and those costs can run into thousands of pounds.

Before booking anyone, ask for proof of public liability insurance. This protects you if something goes wrong during the clean. Reputable cleaning services and platforms will have this in place automatically for every cleaner. If you're hiring an independent cleaner directly, ask them to provide documentation before their first visit. If they can't or won't, move on to someone else.

2. Read Real Reviews

In 2026, there's no excuse for hiring a cleaner blind. Before you book any cleaning service in London, spend 10 minutes reading reviews. Check Google, Trustpilot, and any reviews on the booking platform itself.

Look for consistent positive feedback over time — not just a handful of 5-star reviews from last week. Pay attention to specific comments about reliability, punctuality, and cleaning quality. And crucially, look at how the company responds to negative reviews. Every business gets complaints occasionally. What matters is how they handle them. A defensive or dismissive response tells you everything you need to know.

3. Understand What's Included

Not all cleaning services are created equal, and assumptions lead to disappointment. A standard weekly cleaning service in London typically covers the essentials: dusting surfaces, hoovering carpets and floors, mopping hard floors, wiping down kitchen surfaces, and cleaning bathrooms.

However, standard cleaning usually won't include tasks like cleaning inside the oven, washing windows inside and out, cleaning inside kitchen appliances, or doing laundry and ironing. If your home needs a more intensive clean — perhaps you haven't had a cleaner for a while, or you're preparing for a special occasion — you'll want to book a deep cleaning service instead. Always clarify exactly what's included before your first appointment to avoid misunderstandings.

4. Ask About Vetting and Background Checks

You're letting someone into your home, often when you're not there. It's entirely reasonable — and strongly advised — to ask how cleaners are vetted before you hire them.

Professional cleaning platforms run background checks, verify references, and often conduct in-person interviews before allowing cleaners onto their platform. This gives you peace of mind that the person entering your home has been properly screened. If you're hiring an independent cleaner directly through Gumtree or social media, ask for references and actually follow up on them. A good cleaner will be happy to provide them. If someone gets defensive about this question, consider it a red flag.

5. Check If They Bring Their Own Supplies

Some cleaners expect you to provide all cleaning products and equipment. Others bring everything they need, from hoovers to microfibre cloths to eco-friendly sprays. Neither approach is necessarily wrong — but you need to know upfront so you're prepared.

If you have specific preferences about the products used in your home — perhaps you prefer eco-friendly options, or you have expensive surfaces that need particular care — discuss this before booking. Some cleaning services charge extra for providing equipment and supplies, while others include everything in their standard rate. Make sure you understand what you're paying for.

6. Look for Consistency

The best cleaning arrangements are built on consistency. Having the same cleaner visit your home each time makes a significant difference to the quality of the clean and your overall experience.

When you have a dedicated cleaner, they learn the layout of your home, understand your preferences, know which areas need extra attention, and build a relationship of trust with you over time. You won't need to explain everything from scratch each visit. Ask any cleaning service whether you'll have the same cleaner each time, or if different people will come each week. For regular domestic cleaning, consistency should be the standard, not the exception.

7. Get Transparent Pricing Upfront

Hidden fees are one of the most common complaints about cleaning services. Before booking anyone, make sure you understand exactly what you'll be paying. This means knowing the hourly rate or flat fee, any minimum booking time, additional charges for things like congestion zones or parking, and the cancellation policy.

Good cleaning services offer transparent pricing with no surprises when the invoice arrives. If a company is vague about costs or won't give you a clear quote before booking, that's a warning sign. You should be able to see exactly what you'll pay before committing.

8. Confirm Their Cancellation Policy

Life happens. Meetings overrun, kids get sick, plans change. Sometimes you need to reschedule a cleaning appointment at short notice. Before you book, check the cancellation policy so you know where you stand.

Most cleaning services in London require 24-48 hours notice to cancel or reschedule without a fee. Some charge a percentage of the booking cost for late cancellations, while others charge the full amount. Make sure this works for your lifestyle. If you have an unpredictable schedule, look for services with more flexible cancellation terms.

9. Ask What Happens If You're Not Happy

Even the best cleaners have off days. What separates good cleaning services from great ones is how they handle problems when they arise. Before booking, ask what happens if you're not satisfied with a clean.

Look for services that offer a satisfaction guarantee — this typically means they'll send someone back to fix any issues at no extra cost, usually within 24-72 hours. If a cleaning company won't stand behind their work or gets defensive when you ask this question, that tells you how they'll respond if something goes wrong. You want a service that makes things right, not one that makes excuses.

10. Trust Your Instincts

After all the research, vetting, and questions, trust your gut. If communication feels difficult before you've even booked — slow responses, vague answers, dismissive attitude — it won't get easier once they have your money.

The right cleaner should make your life easier, not add stress to it. You should feel confident in who you're letting into your home. If something feels off, keep looking. There are plenty of excellent cleaners in London, and you deserve one that feels right for you.

Ready to Find the Right Cleaner in London?

Hiring a cleaner in London doesn't have to be complicated. Use these tips to find someone you can trust — or skip the hassle entirely and book through a platform that's already done the vetting, insurance checks, and quality control for you.

Over 14,000 Londoners have trusted Cleaners of London to find their perfect cleaner. From regular domestic cleaning to end of tenancy cleans, the right help is just a few clicks away.