Do I tip a house cleaner?
There's no single rule. A one-time or move-out deep clean is usually tipped 15–20%, the way you'd tip other in-home work. A recurring weekly cleaner is different: a tip every single visit adds up fast, so the norm is to skip it and give a year-end bonus, often about one cleaning's cost, instead.
Who shows up matters too. An independent cleaner who sets their own price may not expect a tip; a cleaner sent by an agency, who keeps only a slice of what you pay, benefits from one more.
A tip is never unwelcome, but for a trusted weekly cleaner the holiday gesture usually lands better than a few dollars each time.
A $150 one-time deep clean: about $20–$30. A weekly cleaner: nothing each visit, then a holiday tip around one cleaning's price.
When to tip more
A one-time or move-out clean, a big mess, an agency cleaner rather than the owner, or the holidays are the moments a tip lands best.
Quick questions
How much do you tip a house cleaner?
About 15–20% for a one-time or deep clean. For a regular weekly cleaner, most people skip the per-visit tip and give a holiday bonus of roughly one visit's cost.
Do you tip a regular cleaning service?
Usually not every visit, since it adds up. A year-end holiday tip is the common way to thank a recurring cleaner, especially one sent by an agency.
Related situations
Verdict based on: NerdWallet (2025), Consumer Reports (2024).
Tipping guide · Methodology.
General etiquette guidance, not financial or legal advice. Norms vary by region and situation, and tipping is always your call.