Finding a cleaner in London is not hard. Finding one who turns up on time, cleans to the standard you expect and is still coming six months later takes a bit more method. This guide covers where London households actually find cleaners, what to check before anyone sets foot in your home, and how to set the arrangement up so it lasts.
It is written for someone about to hire a regular domestic cleaner, but the checks apply just as well to a one-off deep clean or an end of tenancy job.
Where people find cleaners, and the trade-offs
There are four main routes. None is wrong; they suit different situations.
| Route | How it works | Works well when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word of mouth | A neighbour, colleague or local group recommends someone they use | You want someone already trusted nearby | The recommended cleaner may have no free slots, and you still need to do your own checks |
| Directories | You search by area and service, read profiles and contact the cleaner directly | You want to compare several local options and deal with the person doing the work | Listings vary in detail; a directory usually does not check insurance or work quality |
| Agencies | The agency matches you with a self-employed cleaner and often arranges cover | You want someone else to handle the matching and replacements | Part of what you pay goes to the agency; the cleaner is still self-employed, so check who is insured for what |
| Apps and platforms | You book a slot online and the platform sends an available cleaner | You need a one-off clean quickly | You may not get the same person twice; the platform's costs are built into the price |
Whichever route you use, the checks below are yours to make. A recommendation from a friend is a good start, not a substitute.
If you have not yet decided whether you want an individual or a firm, read our comparison of hiring a self-employed cleaner or a cleaning company first. It changes which of the checks below matter most.
What to check before the first visit
Contact details that work
Before anything else, make sure the phone number, WhatsApp or email you have actually reaches the person you are dealing with. A cleaner who is slow to reply before you have hired them is unlikely to get faster afterwards. Note how quickly they respond and whether they answer the questions you asked.
Identity
You are giving someone access to your home, sometimes with a key. Ask for their full name and, if they trade under a business name, what that business is. For a first visit it is reasonable to be at home, and to ask to see photo ID if a key is going to change hands. A genuine cleaner will not find this strange.
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance covers accidental damage to your property, or injury to someone, while the cleaner is working. Many independent cleaners carry it; some do not, particularly when starting out. Ask directly: "Do you have public liability insurance, and can you show me the certificate?" If the answer is no, decide whether you are comfortable with that. If a cleaning company is involved, ask whether its policy covers the individual who will be in your home.
KleanTouch profiles can state insurance status, but this is declared by the business, not checked by us. Always ask to see the document.
References or linked reviews
Ask for one or two existing customers you can message, or look for reviews that link to a real external source such as Google, Facebook or a trade review site. Reviews pasted as plain text on a website or profile are easy to write and hard to check. A cleaner who has worked in London for a few years should be able to point you to someone who will vouch for them.
Right to work
Anyone working in the UK must be entitled to do so. If you are hiring an individual directly on a regular basis, it is sensible to ask. Most self-employed cleaners with several clients will have been asked before and will not mind. This is a practical check rather than legal advice; if you are unsure of your own responsibilities, read the current government guidance.
Products and equipment
Find out whether the cleaner brings their own products and equipment or expects to use yours. Both are normal in London. If you have a preference (fragrance-free products, no bleach on a particular surface, a specific vacuum for a wooden floor), say so now rather than after the first visit.
DBS checks: optional, and relevant for some households
A DBS check (a criminal record check) is not required for domestic cleaning and many good cleaners do not have one. It becomes more relevant if the cleaner will regularly be in the home alone with children, or with an older or vulnerable adult. If that is your situation, ask whether they hold a basic DBS certificate and when it was issued. Treat it as one piece of information among several, not a guarantee.
Questions to ask before the first visit
Send these by message so you have the answers in writing.
- How long have you been cleaning in London, and which areas do you cover?
- What is your hourly rate, and is there a minimum number of hours per visit?
- Do you bring products and equipment?
- Do you have public liability insurance?
- Can you give me a reference or a link to your reviews?
- Are you available on the day and time I need, and can that slot be regular?
- What notice do you need if I have to move a visit?
- What happens when you are ill or on holiday?
The rate question matters more than people expect. For context on what is normal, see our guide to what cleaners in London typically charge. Live rates published by listed cleaners appear on their KleanTouch profiles and on each area page, and those are the numbers to compare against.
Agree the basics in writing
You do not need a contract. A clear message thread that both of you can scroll back to is enough. Cover:
- Scope. Which rooms, which tasks, and anything excluded. Say whether you expect ironing, the inside of the oven, or changing bed linen, because these vary from cleaner to cleaner.
- Price and payment. The rate, the visit length, how and when you pay (bank transfer after each visit is common), and what happens if a visit runs over.
- Keys and access. Whether the cleaner holds a key, uses a key safe, or you let them in. If a key is held, agree what happens if it is lost and make sure it is not labelled with your address.
- Cancellation. How much notice each side gives, and whether a late cancellation is charged. Many cleaners ask for at least a day or two; agree your own figure.
- Alarm, pets and parking. Alarm codes, what to do with the dog, and where to park if they drive. Parking in inner London can add real cost and time to a visit.
Book a trial clean
Ask for a single paid visit before committing to a regular slot. Be at home for it if you can. Afterwards, walk round and look at the things that are easy to skip: skirting boards, the inside of the microwave, the top of the extractor, behind the bathroom door. Give specific feedback the same day. A good cleaner would rather hear "the shower screen still had marks" once than lose the job three visits later without knowing why.
If the trial goes well, confirm the regular arrangement in a message that repeats the scope, price, day and access. That message is your reference point if anything changes later.
What "Contact verified" means on KleanTouch
KleanTouch is a directory. We list independent cleaners and small cleaning firms by the London areas they cover, and you contact them directly. We take no bookings, no payments and no commission, and we are not part of the agreement between you.
When a profile shows Contact verified, it means we called or messaged the contact details on that profile and reached the business before the listing went live. That is all it means. We do not check insurance documents, qualifications, right to work or the quality of anyone's work. Our listing guidelines explain what a profile must contain and why listings are removed.
So the checks in this guide are still yours to make. What a directory gives you is a set of genuine, reachable local businesses to make them with.
Start with cleaners who cover your area
Search by postcode or area on the London cleaners page, compare the profiles that cover your neighbourhood, and message two or three with the questions above. There is no booking system and no fee: you deal with the cleaner directly from the first message. Dedicated pages for the pilot areas are on the way; until then the London hub lists everyone. If anything about how the directory works is unclear, the customer FAQ covers it.