Seattle homeowners often compare house cleaning quotes and wonder why prices vary so widely. Some companies charge $120–$160, while others charge $220–$300 for the same home size. So what exactly determines the cost of a home cleaning service?

This guide provides an unbiased market analysis of Seattle cleaning prices — based on real regional labor data, industry norms, and typical operational expenses across Washington cleaning companies.

Although Simply Clean works with independent professional cleaners rather than employing cleaners directly, these models help homeowners understand:

• How Seattle’s labor market impacts rates
• What goes into the price of a professional cleaning
• Why quality cleaning services come with higher costs
• How to evaluate quotes fairly across Seattle and the Eastside

Key Insight: Seattle Is One of the Highest Labor-Cost Cleaning Markets in the U.S.

Seattle consistently ranks among the most expensive regions for service-based businesses due to:

• High cost of living
• Strict labor and safety requirements
• Intense demand for skilled home cleaners
• Scarcity of experienced, reliable professionals

Independent cleaning professionals in Seattle commonly command $28–$35/hr, often more during labor shortages.

This is the real driver behind Seattle’s higher cleaning prices.

These rates reflect:

• Professional skill
• Physical intensity of cleaning work
• Reliability and dependability
• Time management & consistency
• Detail orientation
• Long-term client relationships

In Seattle’s competitive labor market, “you get what you pay for” isn’t a cliché — it’s economic reality. Homeowners who want stable scheduling, consistent quality, and trustworthy professionals hire cleaners who price their services at real market value.

Why Paying Cleaning Professionals Well Benefits Homeowners

Experienced home cleaners who command strong rates typically offer:

• Dependable arrival times
• Consistent quality every visit
• Respectful, friendly service
• Low turnover and long-term relationships
• Better care of client homes
• Higher attention to detail
• Ability to maintain a full-time career in the trade

Lower-priced services often experience:

• Higher turnover
• Inconsistent quality
• Difficulty maintaining schedules
• Burnout
• Limited availability
• Less experienced cleaners

Strong pricing supports a stable, skilled workforce — and that stability translates directly into the homeowner experience.

Scenario 1: Hourly Cost Structure — What It Typically Costs to Provide One Hour of Professional Cleaning in Seattle

This section represents industry-wide cost structures common among Seattle-based cleaning companies that employ cleaners. It does not reflect Simply Clean’s internal operations.

These benchmarks are included to help homeowners understand why reputable providers (and independent cleaners) set their rates at professional levels.

Typical Labor-Equivalent Cost in Seattle (Minimum Baseline)

• $22.00/hr → Seattle’s 2025 minimum wage for large employers (Professional cleaners often charge far above minimum wage.)

Typical Employer Tax-Equivalent Obligations (≈12%)

• $2.64/hr

Typical Health Benefit Contribution in Employment-Based Models

• $3.00/hr

Travel Time, Fuel & Vehicle Wear (Affects Both Independent Cleaners and Companies)

• $4.00/hr

Supplies, Green Products, Tools, Equipment Maintenance

• $1.50–$2.00/hr

General Business Operating Costs (Scheduling, CRM System, Software, Phones, Admin, Customer Support)

• $8–$12/hr (We use $10/hr as an industry average.)

Business Insurance Allocation

• $1.00/hr

Total Typical Operational Cost (Before Margin):

≈ $45/hr

This is before profit, and before accounting for downtime, cancellations, holidays, training, or quality control.

Industry Standard Profit Margin: +30%

= Additional $13.50/hr

Industry-Standard Hourly Charge Rate:

≈ $58–$60/hr per cleaner

This aligns with Seattle’s real pricing landscape:
Most reputable cleaning providers charge $65–$90/hr per cleaner. Independent cleaners with strong reputations charge similar or higher.

Scenario 2: Daily Revenue Requirement — Why a Maintenance Cleaning Often Costs $200–$280

Another way cleaning companies price services is by calculating the minimum daily gross revenue needed per cleaner to operate sustainably.

This model represents employment-based companies, not Simply Clean, but it explains the economics behind typical Seattle pricing.

Step 1: Daily Labor-Equivalent Costs

• 8 hours × $22/hr = $176
• Taxes = +$21
• Health contribution = +$25
• Paid travel time = +$28
• Business overhead allocation = +$75

Total Typical Daily Cost:

≈ $325/day

Add 30% margin for sustainability:

→ ≈ $422/day required revenue

Step 2: Number of Homes Per Day

Most cleaners realistically complete:

• 1 hour travel
• 2 maintenance cleanings (3–3.5 hrs each)

$422 ÷ 2 homes = $210 per home minimum

This number grows quickly when cleaners earn above minimum wage — which most experienced Seattle cleaners do.

Real Seattle Market Pricing

• $150–$220 small home maintenance cleaning
• $220–$300 average-size homes
• $300–$400+ larger or more complex homes

This is the range required to retain skilled, reliable cleaning professionals in Seattle.

Scenario 3: Square Footage Pricing — The Simple Way Most Homeowners Prefer

Many homeowners like a predictable, size-based estimate.

Seattle industry averages:

Maintenance Cleaning (Weekly/Bi-Weekly/Monthly)

$0.10–$0.14 per sq ft

Deep Cleaning / Spring Cleaning

$0.18–$0.30 per sq ft

Move-In / Move-Out Cleaning

$0.22–$0.35 per sq ft

Factors that adjust pricing:

• Bathrooms (biggest cost driver)
• Pet hair
• Floors & stairs
• Clutter
• First-time cleaning buildup
• Frequency

How Simply Clean Provides Fair Pricing

Simply Clean uses a hybrid pricing approach based on:

1. Home size
2. Cleaning type
3. Home condition & lifestyle factors
4. Desired frequency
5. Accurate time estimation
6. Local market rates for independent professionals

This results in pricing that is fair, transparent, and tailored to each home, while ensuring professionals can deliver consistent, five-star results.

Seattle Cleaning Prices: What Homeowners Should Really Take Away

✔ Cheap cleaning = inconsistent cleaning

✔ Fairly priced cleaning = reliable cleaning

✔ Well-compensated professionals = best long-term experience

Seattle’s labor market is unique, and great cleaners are in high demand. Paying the going market rate ensures:

• Your cleaner stays
• Quality remains consistent
• Scheduling remains stable
• Professionals can make cleaning their career
• You get the experience you expect, every visit

When cleaners are valued, homeowners feel it.

Request Your Personalized Seattle Cleaning Quote

Simply Clean offers fast, accurate online estimates based on your home and cleaning goals.

Eco-friendly products. Trusted professionals. Local Seattle experts since 2008.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are house cleaning prices in Seattle higher than other cities?
Seattle has one of the highest labor-cost environments in the U.S. Skilled cleaners typically charge $28–$35/hr or more, which results in higher cleaning rates across the region.

How much does a typical Seattle house cleaning cost?
Most professional services charge $150–$300 for maintenance cleanings and $300–$600+ for deep or move-out cleanings, depending on size and condition.

Do larger homes cost more to clean?
Yes. Most companies estimate pricing based on square footage, number of bathrooms, and cleaning complexity.

What affects the cost of a move-out cleaning?
Move-out pricing increases due to inside-cabinet cleaning, appliance detailing, wall touch-ups, heavy soil levels, and the need to clean every surface thoroughly.

Is paying more for a cleaner worth it?
In Seattle, yes. Higher rates attract more experienced, reliable cleaning professionals, which leads to better consistency, better quality, and long-term trust.