DIY vs Professional Cleaning: Which Saves Money?

Margaret Ntambi
May 29
10 min read

Updated: Jun 13

Want to save money on cleaning? Here’s the quick answer:

DIY cleaning is cheaper upfront, costing around $170.28/year for supplies. Professional cleaning, on the other hand, averages $174 per visit or $680–$880/month for weekly services. But there’s more to consider - your time, effort, and the hidden costs of each option.

Here’s what you need to know:

DIY Cleaning: Lower cost, more time-consuming, potential for equipment wear and improper cleaning risks.
Professional Cleaning: Higher cost, saves time (up to 16+ hours/month), ensures thorough cleaning, and avoids damage or safety risks.

Quick Comparison

Criteria	DIY Cleaning	Professional Cleaning
Cost (Annual)	~$170–$900	$2,000–$10,000
Time Spent	20+ hours/month	4–8 hours/month
Upfront Investment	$500+ for tools/equipment	None (included in service fees)
Risk of Damage	High (improper techniques)	Low (trained professionals)
Health/Safety Risks	Higher (chemical misuse)	Lower (trained handling)

Bottom Line:For small spaces or tight budgets, DIY cleaning works well. For large homes or busy schedules, professional services save time and ensure quality. A hybrid approach - DIY for routine tasks and hiring professionals for deep cleaning - offers the best balance.

DIY vs. Professional Cleaning: When to Call in the Experts

Cost Analysis: DIY vs Professional Cleaning

When deciding between DIY cleaning and hiring professional services, it’s essential to weigh both initial and recurring expenses to understand their long-term impact. Let’s take a closer look at the costs associated with each approach.

Initial DIY Cleaning Costs

Starting a DIY cleaning routine often requires a significant upfront investment. For instance, a commercial-grade vacuum cleaner can cost around $500. Add to that the price of basic cleaning supplies for a medium-sized home, which typically runs about $100 per month. If you want to include tools like steam cleaners, expect to spend an additional $100 to $200, and $5 to $15 for smaller tools like grout brushes.

On a monthly basis, cleaning supplies break down as follows:

$15–$30 for living areas
$10–$25 for kitchens
$10–$20 for bathrooms

For more specialized equipment, like floor buffers, the costs can soar to $500 or more, plus ongoing maintenance fees.

Another factor to consider is that DIY cleaning supplies often come with higher retail prices. For example, while cleaning companies might pay $3 per gallon for commercial-grade cleaners, you could end up paying $5 per gallon for the same product. Over time, these higher costs, along with the need to replace worn-out equipment, can add up significantly.

Professional Cleaning Service Rates

Professional cleaning services offer a straightforward pricing model that depends on the size of your home and the frequency of visits. For example, RIHA Cleaners charges:

$150 for studio or one-bedroom spaces (2-hour session)
$200 for two-bedroom homes (3-hour session)
$250 for three-bedroom properties (3.5-hour session)
$300 for homes with four or more bedrooms (4-hour session)

These rates align with national averages, where professional cleaners typically charge $25 to $90 per hour, or $100 to $170 for flat-rate pricing on single-family homes. In urban areas like Brooklyn and Queens, hourly rates tend to range from $60 to $90, reflecting regional price differences.

Regular service packages often lower the per-visit cost. For instance, monthly cleaning packages for offices range from $500 for small spaces to $2,500 for medium-sized offices. Deep cleaning services, which are usually done quarterly or bi-annually, cost $200 to $400 or more, depending on the size and condition of the home.

Monthly and Annual Expenses

The recurring costs of cleaning reveal the financial trade-offs between DIY and professional services. For DIY cleaning, households typically spend $35 to $75 per month on supplies for all areas of the home.

By comparison, professional cleaning services cost $170–$220 per visit, which translates to $680–$880 per month for weekly service, or $340–$440 for bi-weekly cleanings. Many homeowners find that a combination of bi-weekly professional cleaning and light daily upkeep strikes the best balance between cost and cleanliness.

Beyond the financial aspect, there’s also the question of time. Professional cleaners generally take 5–7 hours per week to complete tasks that could take a DIY cleaner 10–15 hours. That’s a significant time savings, which might make professional services even more appealing when you factor in the value of your time.

Time and Labor: The Real Cost Factor

When weighing DIY cleaning against professional services, one of the biggest - yet often overlooked - costs is your own time. Time isn’t just money; it’s a resource that can completely shift the balance when comparing these options.

Hours Spent on DIY Cleaning

Cleaning your home yourself takes a lot more time than you might realize. On average, homeowners dedicate 4–6 hours each week to basic chores like vacuuming, dusting, and tidying up bathrooms and kitchens. Then there’s the deep cleaning: scrubbing baseboards, washing windows, and other intensive tasks can eat up another 5–8 hours a month. Seasonal projects - think washing curtains or reorganizing storage areas - pile on an additional 10–15 hours every quarter. Add it all up, and you’re looking at over 20 hours a month spent cleaning. That’s 20 hours you could spend working, relaxing, or enjoying time with family and friends.

What You Sacrifice with DIY Cleaning

The time you spend cleaning doesn’t just disappear - it comes at a cost. Those hours could be spent on things that enrich your life, whether it’s advancing your career, pursuing hobbies, or simply unwinding. For many, the trade-off is clear: dedicating weekends to cleaning often means missing out on family outings, personal downtime, or activities you love. Plus, the physical toll of cleaning after a long week can leave you drained, making it harder to focus on other priorities.

Professional Cleaning: Faster and More Thorough

Professional cleaners are fast and effective. What might take you 4–6 hours to complete, they can handle in just 1.5–2 hours. At RIHA Cleaners, for instance, studio and one-bedroom apartments are typically cleaned in about 2 hours, while two-bedroom homes take around 3 hours, and larger properties require roughly 3.5–4 hours. This efficiency doesn’t just save time - it ensures a thorough, high-quality clean.

Over the course of a month, professional services can save you more than 16 hours. And it’s not just about time: businesses that rely on professional cleaning report a 50% boost in both consistency and quality. With all that extra time, you can focus on what really matters - whether it’s work, family, or simply taking a well-deserved break.

Long-Term Money Impact

Over time, the costs associated with DIY cleaning - like replacing tools, repairing damage, and addressing health concerns - can chip away at the initial savings. Let’s break down how these expenses add up.

Replacing DIY Cleaning Equipment

Cleaning tools and supplies don’t last forever. Brushes wear out, vacuums break, and cleaning products need constant restocking. These recurring costs can sneak up on you. On the other hand, professional cleaning services factor the cost of their specialized equipment and supplies into their fees, eliminating the need for you to constantly replace or restock anything yourself. That’s one less headache to manage.

Preventing Damage with Professional Care

Using the wrong products or methods during DIY cleaning can lead to surface damage that’s expensive to fix. For example, a harsh cleaner might ruin your hardwood floors, or improper scrubbing could scratch delicate surfaces. Professional cleaners are trained to use the right techniques and materials, helping to avoid this kind of damage. This not only saves you from repair bills but also helps maintain your property’s value in the long run.

Health and Safety Costs

DIY cleaning isn’t just about scrubbing and mopping - it can also come with health risks. Improper use of cleaning chemicals can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and even more serious injuries. In fact, household cleaning products are linked to over 12,000 injuries annually and account for 10% of all toxic exposures reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers. Mixing certain chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, can even release dangerous gases. Professional cleaners, on the other hand, know how to handle these products safely. They use the right protective gear and follow safety protocols, reducing the risk of accidents and potentially saving you from unexpected medical bills.

When to Choose DIY or Professional Cleaning

Deciding between DIY and professional cleaning comes down to your home's size, your personal schedule, and the type of cleaning required. Let’s break it down so you can make the best choice for your situation.

Best Times for DIY Cleaning

If you live in a smaller space, like a studio or one-bedroom apartment, DIY cleaning often makes the most sense. These spaces are easier to maintain, and routine tasks like dusting, vacuuming, and basic bathroom cleaning can typically be handled in 4–6 hours a week. Plus, with monthly supply costs ranging from $30 to $50, it’s an affordable option for those watching their budget.

DIY cleaning also works well if you have the time and energy to keep up with it - or even enjoy the process. Many people find cleaning therapeutic or see it as a way to stay active. You can tackle tasks at your own pace and on your own schedule, giving you flexibility and control over how your home is maintained.

Best Times for Professional Cleaning

Professional cleaning services are a game-changer for larger homes or more demanding cleaning tasks. For example, a 3-bedroom home can be professionally cleaned in about 3.5 hours for $250, saving you significant time and effort.

They’re especially helpful in situations where time is tight, like move-in/move-out cleaning, post-renovation cleanup, or preparing for a big event. Take RIHA Cleaners' move-out cleaning, for instance - a 3–4 bedroom home can be cleaned in just 4 hours for $350. Professional cleaners are also a great option for people with physical limitations or those who’d rather spend their weekends doing something other than scrubbing floors.

For deep cleaning tasks - like carpet shampooing, mold removal, or caring for delicate surfaces - professionals bring specialized tools and expertise. Attempting these jobs on your own could lead to accidental damage, which might cost more to fix than hiring a pro in the first place.

Home Size and Cleaning Needs Guide

The size of your home plays a big role in deciding whether to go DIY or hire professionals.

Studios and one-bedroom apartments (under 800 sq. ft.): Perfect for DIY cleaning, as the time and supply costs are manageable.
Two- to three-bedroom homes (1,000–2,000 sq. ft.): A mix of DIY and professional cleaning often works best. Handle the day-to-day tasks yourself, and bring in professionals every few months for deep cleaning.
Larger homes: A professional cleaning session, typically costing around $300 for 4 hours, can be a better use of your time and energy.

Don’t forget to factor in unique challenges your home might present. Homes with pets, kids, or allergy concerns often need more frequent and thorough cleaning. And if you have multiple bathrooms, hardwood floors, or high-maintenance surfaces, professional cleaners can provide the extra care these require. Ultimately, your lifestyle and household needs will guide the best approach - what works for a bustling family home might not be ideal for a quieter, low-traffic space.

Conclusion: Choose the Right Cleaning Option for Your Budget

Picking the right cleaning method comes down to balancing costs, your home's needs, and your time. As The Maids points out, "While DIY cleaning appears to be the cheaper option at first glance, the long-term costs - financial and time-related - can make it less practical".

The size of your home is a key factor here. For smaller spaces, DIY cleaning might seem like the economical choice since supplies are relatively inexpensive. But for larger homes, professional cleaning often proves more efficient when you consider the quality of the results and the value of your time.

Here's a striking fact: Americans spend an average of six hours a week cleaning, which translates to a $150 opportunity cost if your time is valued at $25 per hour. On top of that, DIY cleaning can come with safety risks that professionals are trained to handle properly. Weighing cost, time, and safety might lead you to consider a mixed approach.

A hybrid cleaning strategy could be the sweet spot. You can manage routine upkeep yourself and schedule professional deep cleaning every few months. This way, you get the best of both worlds - saving money while ensuring your home gets the thorough care it needs.

For those leaning toward professional services, RIHA Cleaners offers flexible options tailored to your home's needs. They even start with a free 45-minute assessment to help you understand what’s required. With transparent pricing - starting at $150 for small spaces like studios and $300 for larger homes - you can plan your cleaning budget with ease.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your time, the size of your home, and your priorities. By aligning your cleaning strategy with these factors, you can achieve real cost savings and peace of mind.

FAQs

What are the long-term costs of DIY cleaning compared to hiring professional cleaners?

Over time, tackling cleaning tasks on your own can actually end up costing more than hiring professionals. Why? Well, constant use of vacuums, mops, and other cleaning tools leads to wear and tear. Eventually, you’ll face repair bills or need to replace equipment entirely, which can quickly add up. Plus, don't forget the cost of cleaning supplies and the time you spend maintaining your tools - it all contributes to the overall expense.

When you hire professional cleaners, their fees usually cover the use of top-notch, well-maintained equipment. That means no extra costs for repairs or replacements on your end. You also get the benefit of professional-grade tools that are designed to get the job done efficiently. While DIY cleaning might seem cheaper at first glance, professional services often save you both time and money in the long run, making them a smarter choice for many households.

What health and safety risks come with DIY cleaning, and how can you avoid them?

Health and Safety Risks of DIY Cleaning

DIY cleaning might seem like a simple and cost-effective solution, but it’s not without its risks. Many cleaning products, especially those with harsh chemicals, can expose you to potential health hazards. For example, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by common cleaners can irritate your eyes, throat, and lungs, and in some cases, may lead to long-term health problems. Even worse, mixing certain products - like bleach and ammonia - can produce toxic gases that are incredibly dangerous.

To stay safe, always follow the instructions on product labels. Protective gear like gloves and masks can provide an extra layer of safety, and proper ventilation is key to reducing exposure to harmful fumes. If you want to take a safer route, consider using natural or non-toxic ingredients for your DIY cleaning solutions. And don’t overlook the importance of regular cleaning - it helps cut down on allergens and germs, creating a healthier space for you and your family.

How often should I hire professional cleaning services to complement my regular cleaning routine?

The best schedule for hiring professional cleaning services depends on your household's size, lifestyle, and specific cleaning needs. If you have a large family, pets, or frequently host guests, weekly cleanings can help keep high-traffic areas, like kitchens and bathrooms, in top shape.

For those who can manage some light tidying up between visits, bi-weekly cleanings often strike a good balance between keeping your home presentable and managing costs. On the other hand, smaller households or homes with fewer cleaning demands might find monthly cleanings enough to maintain a fresh and organized space. Think about your routine, budget, and priorities to find the schedule that fits your needs.