Do You Tip a Cleaning Person? Tipping Etiquette and FAQs
To tip or not to tip. That is the question.
You’re excited to get back to your sparkling clean home, but then panic sets in:
Was I supposed to leave a tip?
Am I cheap if I don’t?
Will the cleaning not be as good without tipping?
How much tip is expected?
Tipping at restaurants, salons, or spas has become expected and simple. And with a standard percentage to tip — there’s even an app for that!
Housekeeping is one service industry where tipping isn’t as simple. If you do a search for “do you tip cleaning lady” or “how much to tip a house cleaner,” you’re likely to get the same answer: It depends.
Don’t worry. We’re here to break down that answer to help you decide if you should tip your house cleaner and if so, when and how much. After all — hiring a house cleaning company should help take your stress and worries away, not add to it.
Do You Tip House Cleaners?
There’s no need to stress about whether or not you are supposed to tip a house cleaner. Tipping for housekeeping services is never expected.
Clients who choose to leave a tip do so as a simple “thank you” or as a holiday bonus.
Our house cleaners at Tidy Up Portland! never expect or ask for a tip. Whether you choose to tip or not, you can rest assured that you will always receive the very best cleaning service.
Should You Tip House Cleaners?
While tipping a house cleaner is not expected, it’s a nice gesture and greatly appreciated by your house cleaners. It’s something you should do to show your appreciation for a good job or as a gift — not out of obligation or guilt.
Some clients leave a tip after each regular cleaning. Others tip annually or even randomly as a special treat. Many others don’t tip at all — and that’s OK. Whether or not to tip house cleaners is personal and not something you should feel pressured to do.
How Much Do You Tip House Cleaners?
How much you decide to tip house cleaners depends on a few factors. You should adjust your tipping to fit your personal circumstances.
Typically, house cleaners will receive a flat amount of $10 or $20 to be shared among the cleaners when a client chooses to tip for a regular service or deep cleaning. For large jobs that require several cleaners and many hours, a tip per cleaner is considered generous and is much appreciated. For example, for a large job that takes 20 hours and four cleaners, a client may choose to tip anywhere from $10 to $40 per cleaner.
Unlike other service industries where a certain percentage is expected, house cleaners are surprised and truly appreciate any amount of tip.
3 Factors to Consider When Deciding How Much to Tip a House Cleaner
Still not sure how much to tip a house cleaner? We’ve laid out three factors that are important to consider for your particular circumstances.
These can help you determine …
If
When; or
How much
… to tip for house cleaning services for your home.
#1: How Well They Clean
For a regular house cleaning, $10-$20 is a common tipping amount.
But what if your cleaners go above and beyond your satisfaction?
You might want to add a little more if you feel your house cleaners made an extra effort to do additional things in your home. Consider adding half of the usual tip amount, or even doubling it.
#2: The Size of Your Home
Depending on the size of your home and where you live, your cleaning service can run from around $80 to well over $200.
If you have an average size home and spend on the lower end for your regular cleaning, a $10 tip can be considered quite generous. However, if your home is large, costs over $200 to clean, and requires four house cleaners, a single $10 tip might not look as generous.
Many homeowners consider the cleaning fee itself to be enough or all they can afford, and that’s OK. But if you want to show your appreciation with a tip, considering your home’s size can help you determine how much you should tip your house cleaners.
#3: How Dirty Your Home Is
Consider what your house cleaners will be working on in your home.
Ask yourself questions like:
Has it been a while since the floor has been mopped?
Are there cluttered areas they need to straighten?
What about the condition of your bathrooms?
If you haven’t cleaned in a while, your home may require a “deep cleaning.” In this case, if you want to leave a tip, you might want to tip a little larger than you would for regular cleanings.
Some customers will also tip our Tidy Up Portland! house cleaners extra if there are extra messes to clean from an event like a birthday party, sleepover, or holiday gathering.
FAQs
Do You Tip House Cleaners Every Time They Clean?
Tipping a regular house cleaner isn’t expected, but if you’ve been using them for a while, and they do a great job, why not? It’s a wonderful way to show your appreciation to those who help relieve a little stress from your life.
You might not always be able to say “thank you” in person. Your tips can say it for you.
Do You Tip House Cleaners for a One-Time Cleaning?
Tipping for a one-time cleaning is a personal choice, but it’s a way to recognize the hard work that goes into deep cleaning. A one-time cleaning is usually more intensive than a regular cleaning service.
House cleaners on a one-time job are doing plenty of …
Heavy lifting
Bending
Polishing
Shining; and
Scrubbing
… to ensure your home is clean, relaxing, and fresh smelling for you to return to.
Customers who choose to tip for a one-time deep cleaning usually tip a larger amount than they would for a regular tip, often $10 to $40 per house cleaner. It’s a wonderful time to be generous since it’s not a regular investment.
Tipping your Tidy Up Portland! house cleaners is a great way to say ‘thank you,” but it’s never expected — and you can always depend on superior work when you choose us, whether you leave a tip or not.
What’s the Best Way to Tip a House Cleaner?
It depends on what you’re comfortable with.
Some house cleaning companies offer online software where tips can be added. This is especially helpful if you like to inspect the cleaning job before you decide if or how much to tip.
Many customers leave a cash tip in the house (such as on the kitchen counter) for their regular house cleaners. Others use smartphone apps to send tips to their cleaners.
No matter how you decide to leave a tip, know that your house cleaner will feel appreciated. Tipping can even encourage house cleaners to go above and beyond the standard cleaning you’re paying for.
Tidy Up Portland! Professional House Cleaning at Reasonable Prices
Looking for a professional house cleaning service In the Portland area? Look no further than Tidy Up Portland!
We offer both hourly and flat rate options — plus we’ll give you a discount for having us come weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.
Let us help ease your stress by keeping your home fresh and tidy.
We professionally clean your home with products that are almost all:
Non-toxic
Eco-friendly
Natural; and
Green
Our cleaning teams are punctual and flexible — and we're confident you won’t find a better cleaning service than Tidy Up Portland!
Book an appointment today.
