09/21/2026
I’ve seen the comment more than once: “Cleaners should only make minimum wage.”
And I’m just going to say it very few people are going to do this job long-term for minimum wage.
Cleaning is HARD on your body. You’re bending, kneeling, scrubbing, lifting, reaching, climbing, vacuuming, and moving nonstop for hours. You’re working around dust, pet hair, grime, bodily fluids, mold, smoke residue, and cleaning chemicals. Some days you come home completely exhausted.
And if you own your own cleaning business, what you charge is NOT what you take home.
That rate also has to cover supplies, equipment, replacement tools, gas, vehicle expenses, insurance, taxes, advertising, admin time, unpaid travel time, and all the other costs of running a business.
I work more than one job, so I have plenty to compare it to. Cleaning is one of the most physically demanding things I do.
Good cleaners also bring experience and knowledge knowing which products are safe on which surfaces, how to prevent damage, how to avoid cross-contamination, how to work efficiently, and how to notice the tiny details most people never even think about.
You’re not just paying someone to “wipe things down.”
You’re paying for their time, physical labor, experience, knowledge, equipment, and the wear and tear on their body.
There’s a reason experienced cleaners charge what they charge.
And I’ll always believe that people doing hard, honest work deserve to make a living doing it. 🧚♀️🧹
Cleaners what’s one thing about this job you wish more people understood?
