How Much Should You Tip House Cleaners in the USA?
Wondering how much to tip your house cleaner? You’re not alone. The typical tip for house cleaning services in the USA is between 15% and 20% of the total bill.
👉 For most standard house cleaning services, a 15% tip is a widely accepted and appreciated amount.
If your cleaning costs $150, a $22 to $30 tip would be perfectly appropriate. However, there are times when tipping higher — closer to 20% or even 25% — makes sense, especially for deep cleans, move-out cleanings, or last-minute bookings.
Tipping is not just about money. It’s about showing gratitude for the hard work that keeps your home fresh, clean, and welcoming.
Standard Tipping Guidelines for House Cleaners
To make it super easy, here’s a simple table you can follow:
| Service Cost | 15% Tip | 20% Tip | 25% Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $15 | $20 | $25 |
| $150 | $22 | $30 | $37 |
| $200 | $30 | $40 | $50 |
| $300 | $45 | $60 | $75 |
✅ Tip BEFORE tax and service fees when calculating the amount.
✅ If the service was truly exceptional (like deep cleaning your oven or scrubbing baseboards without being asked), feel free to tip toward 25%.
Factors That Affect How Much You Should Tip
Tipping isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s a storytelling breakdown of different scenarios:
1. Type of Cleaning
- Standard Cleaning:
- A light regular cleaning usually deserves a 15%-20% tip.
- Example: If you pay $120 for bi-weekly cleaning, a $20 tip is great.
- Deep Cleaning or Move-In/Move-Out Service:
- These jobs take extra effort and hours.
- Consider tipping closer to 20%-25%.
- Example: For a $250 deep clean, a $50-$60 tip shows proper appreciation.
Why the higher tip? Deep cleans are physically tougher. Cleaners tackle grime and hidden dirt most homeowners never notice.
2. Hourly Rates vs Flat Fees
When cleaners charge hourly, tipping can be a lil’ confusing.
- Tip $5 to $10 per hour depending on the cleaner’s effort and attention to detail.
- Example: For a 4-hour cleaning at $30/hour, tipping $20-$40 is perfect.
If they go above and beyond (staying longer, organizing, doing extras), bump it toward $10/hour or even more.
3. Regional Differences
Where you live matters too.
- In high-cost-of-living areas like New York City, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, tipping closer to 20%-25% is very common.
- In smaller towns or rural areas, 15%-20% is usually just fine.
Always remember: cost of living = cost of tipping generosity sometimes!
4. Regular Cleaner vs One-Time Service
- Recurring Cleaners: Some people tip a little each visit (10%-15%), and a bigger bonus (like one full cleaning fee) at holidays.
- One-Time Cleaners: Stick to the 15%-20% range for good service.
Building loyalty with regular cleaners through small but consistent tips can actually lead to better service over time. Human nature, right?
Should You Tip Before or After Taxes and Fees?
Another thing people ask a lot — do you tip on the final bill or just the service price?
👉 Tip based on the service cost before taxes and agency fees.
If a cleaning company adds a “booking fee” or “service charge,” ignore that for tipping purposes. Cleaners typically don’t pocket those extras.
How Positive Reviews Help House Cleaners Too
Money is important, but so is reputation. Leaving a positive online review can make a huge difference for independent cleaners and cleaning companies.
⭐ Happy clients = more clients = higher rates and better earnings for your cleaner.
So if your cleaner did a fantastic job, tip well AND leave a nice 5-star review on Google, Yelp, or wherever you found them. They’ll thank you for it in more ways than one.
Quick Tipping Cheat Sheet
Here’s your no-thinking-required cheat sheet:
- Standard cleaning: 15%–20%
- Deep cleaning/move-out: 20%–25%
- Hourly rates: $5–$10 per hour
- Holiday bonus: Cost of one full cleaning
- High-cost cities: Lean toward 20%–25%
- Regular cleaner?: Small tip every time + a bigger holiday tip
- Positive reviews: Always leave one if service is great
Final Thoughts: Tipping House Cleaners in the USA
At the end of the day, tipping your house cleaner is about showing respect for the hard, detailed work they do.
💬 Whether it’s $15 for a small clean or $75 after a big deep-clean project, the gesture matters just as much as the amount.
When in doubt? Tip a little extra and say thank you — you’ll never regret being kind.