The market rates of cleaning services in South Africa as of 2025, reflect the importance of the services they render, from domestic and commercial cleaning to specialized and one-off services. Plus, we’ll explore the value propositions, regional differences, and helpful tips to ensure you get your money’s worth.
In a rapidly evolving economy like South Africa’s, time is increasingly viewed as a valuable asset. Between work obligations, family responsibilities, and personal commitments, maintaining a clean and organized space often requires outsourcing to professionals. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to restore sparkle to your living room or a business operator prioritizing hygiene and presentation, cleaning services offer a solution tailored to your needs. But with so many options, how much should you expect to pay—and what factors influence the price?
How Much Do Cleaning Companies Charge in South Africa
The cleaning industry in South Africa is both diverse and competitive. It’s a sector that has expanded significantly over the past decade, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered a new national consciousness around hygiene, sanitation, and disinfection.
Cleaning services now range from small independent operators and domestic workers to large, franchised cleaning companies offering a full spectrum of residential and commercial solutions. Depending on the provider, pricing can vary substantially, shaped by a multitude of factors—including geography, type of property, frequency of service, and whether materials are provided by the cleaning crew.
Domestic Cleaning: Keeping Homes Spotless
Domestic cleaning is the most common type of cleaning service in South Africa. These services cater to homeowners or tenants needing routine cleaning of living spaces such as bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and lounges.
Regular Home Cleaning
Cost per hour: R50–R100
Cost per day (8 hours): R180–R620
Regular home cleaning is usually targeted at working professionals who do not have enough time on their hands to cleaning their homes, and immediate surroundings. It typically includes sweeping, mopping, dusting, vacuuming, and general tidying up. Clients can choose to hire someone on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis. Hiring a domestic worker independently can be more affordable, but going through a professional agency often ensures reliability, vetting, and insurance coverage.
Deep Cleaning
Cost per session: R1,450–R1,650
Deep cleaning is a more intensive service. It includes washing walls, scrubbing tile grout, degreasing kitchen appliances, and sanitizing high-touch surfaces. It’s typically scheduled once every few months or before special occasions like move-ins, move-outs, or events.
End-of-Tenancy Cleaning
Cost per job: R1,500–R2,000
This service targets rented properties where the occupant is vacating. It includes full property sanitation and is often required by landlords before a new tenant moves in.
Office Cleaning: Supporting Productivity Through Cleanliness
South Africa’s major urban centers—Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria—host thousands of office complexes and commercial centers. Clean and sanitary workspaces are non-negotiable for employee productivity, health, and public image.
Regular Office Cleaning
Cost per hour: R50–R100
These services are usually scheduled before or after business hours and can include waste disposal, vacuuming, dusting desks and electronics, restocking washroom supplies, and disinfecting common areas.
Once-Off Office Cleaning
Cost per session: R300–R500 per hour
Companies may opt for a one-time professional clean when moving offices or preparing for a high-stakes meeting or inspection.
Commercial spaces with larger square footage or high-traffic zones (like call centers or medical offices) may require daily or bi-daily cleanings, sometimes factored into lease agreements or managed by corporate facilities departments.
Specialized Cleaning Services: Beyond the Basics
Some messes can’t be tackled with a mop and a bucket. That’s where specialized cleaning services come in. Of course, such cleaning services often cost a little more than the normal cleaning. Here is a look at what it costs presently.
Carpet Cleaning
Cost: R7–R15 per square meter
Using industrial vacuums and steam cleaners, these services remove stains, allergens, and embedded dirt. Frequency depends on foot traffic, but twice-yearly is common for homes and quarterly for businesses.
Upholstery Cleaning
Cost per item: R80–R300
Sofas, mattresses, curtains, and car interiors can harbor allergens and bacteria if not regularly cleaned. Pricing varies by fabric type, item size, and whether steam, dry, or foam cleaning is required.
After-Building or Post-Event Cleaning
Cost per job: R200–R800
Construction sites and post-party venues often require intensive cleaning, including the removal of debris, plaster dust, and stubborn stains. These jobs are typically labor-intensive and may require multiple workers.
One-Off Residential Cleaning: Pay-As-You-Go Options
These services are perfect for people who don’t require regular cleaning but need help prepping for a special occasion, cleaning up after guests, or resetting the home after illness.
Pay-As-You-Go Pricing:
With your own cleaning supplies: ~R360/hour
With cleaning service’s supplies: ~R480/hour
The higher cost reflects the convenience factor, especially when the cleaners bring eco-friendly products, ladders for hard-to-reach places, or specialized tools. Some companies offer flat-rate pricing based on home size instead of hourly billing, which can be more economical for larger jobs.
What Influences Cleaning Service Pricing?
Several elements can push your quote up or down, such as:
Location: Urban areas typically cost more than rural ones due to higher overheads.
Property Size: A 3-bedroom house will cost more than a studio flat.
Service Frequency: Recurring bookings often qualify for discounted rates.
Materials: If the cleaner supplies detergents and equipment, costs increase.
Type of Cleaning: Deep and specialized cleaning carry higher labor and material costs.
Time of Day: Some providers charge premiums for after-hours or weekend work.
Certification and Insurance: Professional companies may charge more to cover trained staff and public liability insurance.
The Role of Agencies vs. Independent Cleaners
One way to save on cleaning costs is to hire an independent domestic worker. Many South Africans employ domestic helpers directly—either part-time or live-in—with hourly wages sometimes negotiated on an individual basis.
However, agencies offer convenience, flexibility, and peace of mind. They often run background checks, provide worker replacements, and handle tax and compliance issues on your behalf. If you’re managing a commercial property or need predictable scheduling, going through an agency is often worth the higher cost.
Regional Pricing Differences
Here’s a rough look at how pricing may shift across South Africa:
| City | Domestic (per hour) | Office (per hour) | Deep Clean (per session) |
| Johannesburg | R60–R90 | R80–R110 | R1,500–R1,800 |
| Cape Town | R70–R100 | R90–R120 | R1,600–R2,000 |
| Durban | R50–R80 | R70–R100 | R1,450–R1,700 |
| Pretoria | R60–R90 | R75–R105 | R1,500–R1,800 |
| Port Elizabeth | R50–R70 | R65–R95 | R1,400–R1,600 |
These ranges reflect market averages and may vary depending on neighborhood affluence and local demand.
How to Choose the Right Cleaning Service
Here are some practical tips before hiring a cleaning service in South Africa:
Ask for References: Whether it’s an agency or an individual, a solid track record builds trust.
Get a Written Quote: Ensure all costs are transparent and up front.
Clarify Inclusions: Know exactly what’s covered—some services don’t include windows or garages.
Check for Insurance: Accidents can happen. Make sure you’re covered.
Discuss Allergies: If you’re sensitive to certain cleaning products, notify the service beforehand.
Agree on Timing: Be clear on arrival and departure times to avoid misunderstandings.
Conduct a Trial Run: Book a single session first before committing to long-term arrangements.
The Future of Cleaning Services in South Africa
Technology, environmental sustainability, and lifestyle shifts are reshaping the cleaning industry:
Eco-Friendly Products: Green cleaning options are growing in popularity, especially among health-conscious households.
App-Based Booking: Platforms like SweepSouth allow users to book vetted cleaners quickly and transparently.
Subscription Models: Monthly plans are becoming popular with corporate clients.
Specialized Certifications: Post-COVID disinfection certification and training continue to influence service offerings.
As the country urbanizes and middle-class incomes grow, demand for flexible, reliable cleaning services is expected to climb, driving innovation in service delivery.
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Conclusion:
The South African cleaning industry is based on free-market economics and so on How much do cleaning services cost in South Africa, while the prices we have provided in this post are good as guidelines, they can help you have an idea of how much other people are paying for similar cleaning jobs.
Furthermore, if you are a new business person who has just started a cleaning business, and want to know how much to charge clients for your services, then you should bear in mind that there is room for negotiation. Allow customers to review the prices down a little, as long as you are still able to make a profit. Keep in mind that the big cleaning companies who display these prices most likely started from lower charges, and then gradually reviewed the prices upwards.