By The Big Buy desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
A part-time home cleaner in Singapore typically costs about S$16 to S$35 an hour, depending on the company and how often you book. Regular weekly or fortnightly bookings are cheaper per hour than one-off cleans: Helpling, for example, lists S$21 an hour for recurring cleaning and S$24 for a one-off, plus a S$3.90 platform fee per booking. Many services have a minimum of two to four hours, and some add weekend surcharges or GST. Legally, use a cleaning company or a cleaner who is free to work for you. The Ministry of Manpower says it is an offence for a migrant domestic worker to take part-time work, even with her employer’s consent, so hiring a neighbour’s helper by the hour is not allowed.
A few hours of help a week can give a busy household its weekends back. Here is how to arrange it sensibly.
Quick facts
- Typical rate: about S$16 to S$35 an hour, as of October 2026.
- Recurring vs one-off: weekly or fortnightly slots usually cost a few dollars less per hour.
- Minimum booking: commonly two to four hours.
- Extras: platform or insurance fees, weekend surcharges and 9% GST at some firms.
- The law: a migrant domestic worker may work only for her own employer, at the address on her Work Permit.
- Household Services Scheme: MOM lets approved companies hire foreign workers to clean homes on a part-time basis.
Who can legally clean your home?
| Option | Allowed? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning company or booking platform | Yes | The firm employs or contracts the cleaner, and usually provides insurance and a replacement if someone is ill. |
| Company under MOM’s Household Services Scheme | Yes | Approved firms may employ foreign workers for home cleaning, grocery shopping, car washing and pet-sitting. |
| Freelance cleaner who is a citizen or PR | Yes | You agree terms directly; there is usually no insurance or back-up. |
| Another family’s domestic helper, paid by the hour | No | An offence under MOM rules, whether or not her employer agrees. |
| A foreigner on any work pass doing side jobs | No | Work passes tie the holder to their own employer. |
What the services charge
Published rates for regular home cleaning, as compiled in June 2026 and checked against Helpling’s own pricing page in October 2026. Rates are “from” prices and can change with location, time slot and promotions.
| Provider | One-off | Recurring | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helpling | S$24/hr | S$21/hr | S$3.90 platform fee per booking; S$10 extra Friday to Sunday |
| Luce | From S$16/hr++ | From S$18/hr++ | 3-hour minimum; charges added at checkout |
| HelperGo | S$25/hr | S$22/hr | Standard rates |
| Helperoo | S$30/hr | S$24/hr | 3-hour minimum |
| Sureclean | S$140 for 4 hours | S$25/hr on a 4×4-hour package | Before 9% GST |
| Whissh | Not offered | From S$105 for 4 hours | Weekly packages only |
A yearly budget: a worked example
A household books a cleaner for three hours every week at a recurring rate of S$21 an hour, on a weekday, with a S$3.90 platform fee:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 3 hours × S$21 | S$63.00 |
| Platform fee | S$3.90 |
| Per visit | S$66.90 |
| Per year (52 visits) | S$3,478.80 |
| Average per month | S$289.90 |
Switching to fortnightly halves the bill to about S$1,739 a year. Booking Friday to Sunday at that provider adds S$10 a visit, or S$520 a year on a weekly plan.
Getting a good clean
- Write a short list of priorities in order, so the most important rooms are done first.
- Check what is included. Ironing, laundry, windows and inside the fridge are often extras or need agreeing.
- Supply your own products if you have preferences, especially for stone, timber or a baby’s room.
- Ask about insurance for breakages and for the cleaner’s injuries.
- Keep valuables put away and agree how access works if you are out.
- Ask for the same cleaner on a recurring plan; consistency improves the result.
The WahLiao Verdict
Book through a company or platform for insurance and back-up, choose a recurring weekday slot for the best rate, and start fortnightly before committing to weekly. Never pay another household’s helper for extra hours: it puts her Work Permit at risk. If you find yourself needing help every day, compare the yearly cleaning bill with the full cost of a live-in helper before deciding.
Questions people ask
Can my neighbour’s helper clean my flat on her day off?
No. MOM says it is an offence for a migrant domestic worker to take part-time work, with or without her employer’s consent.
How many hours does a flat need?
Many households book three to four hours for a regular clean of a three- or four-room flat. A first clean or a deep clean takes longer.
Do I need to tip?
Tipping is not expected in Singapore. A kind word, a drink and a clear list are appreciated.
Do cleaners bring equipment?
It varies. Many regular services expect you to provide a vacuum, mop and products; some offer supplies for a fee. Ask when booking.
Sources: Ministry of Manpower, part-time work by domestic workers; Ministry of Manpower, Household Services Scheme and list of HSS companies; Helpling, pricing; The MoneyBees, 2026 cleaning price comparison. The Big Buy explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Hiring a Domestic Helper: The Levy, Insurance, Bond and Monthly Costs · Aircon Servicing and Replacement: What It Costs and How Often · Back to The Big Buy
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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