Maid House Cleaning Rates South Africa 2025: Average Cost Guide
Planning a home clean in South Africa in 2025? This guide explains what households typically pay for hourly cleaning, one‑off deep cleans, and ongoing arrangements. You will find realistic price ranges, what drives costs up or down, and a quick comparison of real providers and service types to help you budget with confidence.
Understanding what it really costs to hire help at home can be tricky, especially because rates vary by city, service level, and whether supplies are included. This 2025 guide breaks down hourly and package rates for routine and deep cleaning, clarifies how to estimate time for different home sizes, and highlights the factors that move prices in South African metros and towns.
Hourly Cleaning Rates
For routine housework arranged directly with an individual, hourly pay must meet at least the prevailing National Minimum Wage. As a planning baseline, many households pay above the legal floor in urban areas. In practice, privately arranged weekday rates often fall around R30–R45 per hour in major cities when the client provides supplies, with transport allowances added when applicable. Company or platform bookings typically cost more because pricing includes admin, support, and overheads. A common range for company-arranged hourly work is roughly R80–R130 per cleaner per hour, usually with a four- to six-hour minimum.
What’s included shifts the price. If the cleaner brings products and tools, expect an uplift to cover materials and wear-and-tear. Apartment blocks with limited parking or strict access times can add to job duration. Weekend, public holiday, and short-notice bookings may carry surcharges. Clarify whether laundry, ironing, inside-oven cleaning, and interior windows are included, as these are often itemised.
How Much Per Hour to Clean a House
Time is the other side of the equation. A tidy two-bedroom apartment generally takes 3–5 labour hours for a standard clean (dusting, wiping, bathrooms, floors). A three-bedroom freestanding home can require 5–8 labour hours, depending on layout, number of bathrooms, and the current condition of the space. Deep cleans—inside cupboards, oven degreasing, limescale removal, and detailed bathroom and kitchen work—can double the time. Multiply estimated hours by the relevant hourly rate to set a realistic budget for your area.
Don’t forget extras. If you hire privately, add a transport allowance when needed and budget for supplies if you’re not providing them. For company bookings, check minimum hours, parking provisions, and whether rates change for pet hair removal, post-renovation work, or occupancy during cleaning. Many local services offer discounts for weekly or twice‑monthly schedules; ad‑hoc one‑off jobs typically cost more per hour than recurring visits.
South Africa Cleaning Rates 2025
Looking at 2025, expect rates to reflect annual updates to the National Minimum Wage, inflation on supplies, and city-by-city demand. Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria tend to command higher rates than smaller towns, while competition in dense areas can sometimes keep routine pricing within a fairly stable band. Real‑world household reports indicate that a 4–5 hour routine clean booked through a company commonly totals around R600–R1,000 when supplies are included, while a privately arranged visit of similar length, with the client supplying materials, may land closer to R200–R350 plus any transport allowance. Deep cleans, move‑in/move‑out services, and specialised tasks like carpet or upholstery cleaning are priced separately and run higher than routine hourly work.
| Product/Service | Provider | Cost Estimation |
|---|---|---|
| Routine home clean (5 hours, own supplies) | Independent cleaner (private hire) | R200–R350 + transport allowance |
| Routine home clean (4–5 hours, supplies included) | SweepSouth | R600–R1,000 |
| Deep clean, 2-bedroom home | Local residential cleaning company | R1,200–R2,500 |
| Carpet cleaning, per standard room | Chem-Dry South Africa | R200–R350 |
| NMW baseline (hourly pay floor) | Government of South Africa | At least the prevailing National Minimum Wage per hour |
Prices, rates, or cost estimates mentioned in this article are based on the latest available information but may change over time. Independent research is advised before making financial decisions.
Real-world cost/pricing insights: The lowest total outlay usually occurs when you hire directly, supply materials, and schedule longer sessions that reduce travel time per hour. Company bookings cost more but can include insurance cover, customer support, vetted workers, and replacement in case of no-shows. Deep cleans, end‑of‑lease, and post‑renovation work require longer blocks and stronger products; budgets for these jobs are better set by fixed‑fee quotes than by hourly-only thinking.
Conclusion: Setting a practical cleaning budget in South Africa for 2025 starts with two decisions—who you hire and what’s included. Use hourly ranges to sketch a baseline, adjust for time and extras, and compare a private arrangement with a platform or local company for the mix of cost, convenience, and cover that fits your household. Rates are dynamic, so confirm current pricing in your area before you book.
