How to Become a Freelance Cleaner UK 2026
Start on Bark — Build a £1,500/Month Business
Contains Bark.com affiliate links — we earn a commission at no extra cost to you
The Business Case for Freelance Cleaning
A freelance cleaner charging £15/hour with 5 regular clients (2 hours each, weekly) earns £150/week or £600/month from just 10 hours of work. Scale to 10 regular clients and you're earning £1,200/month. One good client is worth £750–£1,500 per year in recurring bookings.
What You Need to Start
- Basic cleaning supplies or ask clients to supply their own products
- Reliable transport to clients
- A Bark seller profile
- Public liability insurance — from ~£6/month, essential
- A bank account for payments
- Optionally: a DBS check — adds credibility
Setting Your Cleaning Rate
New freelance cleaners typically charge £13–£15/hour to build their client base. Established cleaners with good reviews charge £16–£22/hour. In London, £18–£25/hour is standard. Don't undercharge to get clients — you attract difficult clients who push you further.
How to Win Cleaning Clients on Bark
- Respond within 30 minutes of any lead notification
- Include your hourly rate upfront — clients shortlist on price transparency
- Mention any specialisms — deep clean, end of tenancy, oven cleaning
- After every job, ask for a Bark review immediately
- Offer first clean at 10% off to convert hesitant leads
MrJibber earns a commission from Bark.com if you find a professional or sign up as a seller through our links — this never affects our recommendations. Prices vary by location and provider. Updated May 2026.