Domestic Cleaning Rates in SA — and What "Deep Clean" Actually Means

A weekly clean and a "deep clean" are two different products at two different prices. If a single quote covers both, you are either being overcharged for the first one or short-changed on the second.

Standard weekly / fortnightly clean

Surface-level maintenance: sweep, mop, vacuum, dust, kitchen counters wiped, bathrooms scrubbed, beds made, bins emptied. Typically R150-R220 per hour per cleaner in Gauteng, R180-R250 in Cape Town. A standard three-bedroom townhouse takes 4-6 hours with one cleaner.

Deep clean (move-in, move-out, spring clean)

Everything above, plus: inside the oven, inside the fridge, inside cupboards, skirting boards, light fittings, tile grout, window tracks, behind large appliances, inside washing machine drum. Takes 2-3× longer and usually priced as a flat rate by home size:

• Studio / 1-bed: R1 200-R1 800
• 2-bed apartment: R1 800-R2 800
• 3-bed house: R2 800-R4 500
• 4+ bed house: R4 500-R7 500+

What is "extra" and should never be a surprise on the invoice

• Exterior windows (ladders, safety gear)
• Carpet shampooing (different equipment)
• Upholstery cleaning
• Post-renovation cleaning (construction dust is brutal on tools)

Red flags on a cleaning quote

• No hour estimate. A pro can tell you within 30 minutes how long your place takes.
• No materials clarification. Do they bring their own products, or must you supply? If you supply, you will spend R500-R800 on supplies — factor it in.
• Cash-only, no invoice. No paper trail means no accountability if something is damaged or missing.

How to hire well

Ask for a one-off trial clean before committing to weekly. Pay the day-rate, see the result, decide from there. A pro who resists a trial is a pro who does not stand behind their own work.

Handi cleaners with 10+ completed jobs and a 4.5+ rating are a safer starting point than a brand-new profile at 40% below market. Filter by rating and verified status.