The most common tip house cleaners receive is during the holiday season. Others tip 10 to 20% for regular cleans.

• Tips during the holiday season tend to be equivalent to one cleaning session or about $150
• Double tips are common for one time cleans, working out at about 30 to 40%
• A regular tip of 15-20% is good if you can afford it for recurring cleans
• Studies say tips do not guarantee better service
• Alternatives to tipping include gift, cards, wine, referrals or giving reviews.

Should I Tip My Cleaner?

Tipping because you think you will get a better house cleaning is a mistake. Studies say tips do not guarantee better service (1) Tipping rates range from 10% to 20% of the cleaning cost, similar in other service industries

For MaidxChange house cleaners, tipping is not required as part of our service. It is always appreciated, however. Our rule is that if you are happy with the service you received, a tip is a great way to show your appreciation to your cleaner.

House cleaners typically do not expect to be tipped for every cleaning, so if you are on a budget, you can save your tips for special occasions or for when you are particularly happy with the service.

Tipping shows you value your cleaner’s hard work and builds a good relationship.

People tip to thank them for good service, to support them financially (especially during the holidays), and to build a positive relationship with them. Another reason is when cleaners go beyond their typical duties, like cleaning extra dirty or cluttered spaces.

Do You Tip For One-Time Cleans

One-time cleans are more demanding than routine jobs. We do see customers who are happy with their once-off clean tipping double. This rate ranges from 20% – 40% of the cleaning fee.

One time cleans are a lot of work and can take longer for a number of reasons

Unfamiliarity with the Space

Regular cleaning appointments allow cleaners to become more efficient over time as they learn the specifics of a space and the preferences of the client. There are no efficiency gains from regularity.

Intensity of Cleaning

One-time services involve deeper cleans needing higher attention to detail and effort.

What About Tipping For Recurring Maid Services?

Tipping for regular cleans shows appreciation to your housekeeper or maid service team. It helps build a strong working relationship.

See how the first bookings go and tip once you are happy with the results. 15-20% is the amount we see customers tip for regular cleanings.

The most common time for tipping is around the holidays, especially Christmas. Some people might give one or two weeks or even a month’s pay as a holiday bonus.

How Much To Tip Your Maid

You have decided that you are going to tip but now you want to know how much.

Here is a table to help you decide.

How much to tip multiple cleaners

Tipping multiple cleaners ensures that everyone feels valued. You could tip a bit more than the usual amount. For recurring cleans you could tip 15 tp 30% instead of the usual 10- 20%.

House Cleaning Tipping Methods 

You want to make sure your cleaner gets their tip. Some methods mean they get immediately and others later on. Strike a balance for what works for you and the cleaner.

A cash tip in an envelope

Another way to provide a tip for the house cleaning is to leave it in an envelope with your house cleaner’s name on it. This will make it clear that the tip is for them and will ensure that they receive it. This is a great idea when you are not going to be home when the cleaning is finished.

Cheque

If its the only way of doing so then go ahead. The cleaner will have to go to a physical location to cash this cheque so it’s not ideal.

Add it to your electronic payment

It’s easy to add a tip to an electronic invoice or Venmo request. MaidxChange passes 100% of tips onto cleaners. We pay our pros very well and we feel that tips are earned by the hard work and excellent product delivered by all of our cleaning teams.

Electronic Payment

It’s easy to add a tip to an electronic invoice or Venmo request. MaidxChange passes 100% of tips onto cleaners. We pay our pros very well and we feel that tips are earned by the hard work and excellent product delivered by all of our cleaning teams.

Alternatives to Tipping Cleaners

Ways to show appreciation beyond just extra cash

Thank You Notes

Jot down a quick thank you note by hand — it’s a great way to personally say you really appreciate the effort they put in

Pre Loaded Gift Cards

Grab them a gift card from places like Spyhouse Coffee or Anelace Coffee? Or even from grocery stores like Lunds & Byerlys or Kowalski’s Markets? It lets them pick exactly what they want or need!

Practical Gifts

Practical items like solid gloves, a water bottle that keeps things cool, or knee pads for comfort can be a real game changer in their everyday work

Holiday Gifts

During the holiday season, like end of year and Christmas time, consider a special gift such as a hamper with goodies, festive decorations, a bottle of wine or a home-made treat.

Personal Care Item

Hand creams, lotions, or foot soaks, can be thoughtful for someone whose work is physically demanding.

Posting Reviews

Here is an example of a happy customer of Maid X Changes posting a review to support her cleaner.

Sandra and her team were amazing! I’ve never seen a team move so quickly and efficiently. They deep-cleaned a 3 bed 2 bath house, including basement in about 2 hours. I went through and did my checks and double checks of her team’s work — they did it all! I’m genuinely impressed and look forward to utilizing their service in the future!

Referrals

Telling folks about your awesome cleaner isn’t just nice—it’s super helpful for them, too! A referral can open new doors, meaning more work.

Tipping is nice to have but not obligatory

Professional house cleaners provide an important service, helping to keep homes sparkling clean and tidy. We love providing customers with a premium service and giving them time back and the ability to relax in their clean homes. MaidxChange’s tipping policy is that is not expected but it is appreciated. And our cleaning company passes the tip directly to our amazing pros.

As with any service, it is sometimes nice to show appreciation for a job well done by giving a tip. If you are satisfied with your service, you may want to provide a gratuity in the form of cash, via electronic payment, or even a gift card preloaded with a certain amount. No doubt your cleaner will appreciate your thoughtfulness, and it will go a long way towards maintaining a good relationship.

Sources

1. Azar, O. (2009). Incentives and service quality in the restaurant industry: the tipping–service puzzle. Applied Economics, 41, 1917 – 1927. https://doi.org/10.1080/00036840601131813.