Guides to hiring a cleaner in New York
What things cost, what to ask, and what each type of cleaning actually covers. Written for people hiring in the five boroughs.
Getting a cleaner into a co-op or condo that wants a COI
Most New York co-ops, condos, and managed rentals require a certificate of insurance naming the building as additional insured before any vendor works there. Ask your managing agent for their requirements sheet first, then hire a company that files COIs as routine. Only 3 of the 17 companies in this directory confirm they do.
Updated July 31, 2026 · 3 min read
Turnover cleaning for NYC short-term rentals
Turnover cleaning is defined by a same-day deadline between checkout and check-in, and it includes linens and restocking, so it gets priced per job and booked on a calendar. Expect $90 to $250 for a studio or one-bedroom in New York.
Updated July 19, 2026 · 1 min read
How often should you get your apartment cleaned?
Biweekly suits most New York households. Go weekly if you have a shedding pet, dust allergies, small children, or three or more people sharing one bathroom. Monthly works only if you handle day-to-day tidying yourself.
Updated July 19, 2026 · 1 min read
Deep clean vs. standard clean, and which one you need
A standard clean maintains a baseline. A deep clean creates one. If nobody has cleaned behind, under, or inside things in six months, book the deep clean first. Expect it to cost two to three times a standard visit and take four to six hours for a one-bedroom.
Updated July 19, 2026 · 1 min read
Green cleaning in NYC and what the label means
Ask for the product list, not the adjective. "Eco-friendly" has no enforced definition in cleaning services, but Green Seal and EPA Safer Choice audit specific products against published criteria. A provider who can name the certified products they use is telling you something you can check.
Updated July 19, 2026 · 1 min read
How much house cleaning costs in NYC in 2026
Most apartment cleaning in New York City runs $35 to $85 an hour, or $120 to $350 flat for a one-bedroom. Deep cleans and move-outs sit at the top of that range and often cost two to three times a standard visit.
Updated July 19, 2026 · 2 min read
How to vet a cleaning service in New York
Ask three things before you book. Do you carry general liability and workers' compensation, and can you send a certificate of insurance? Are your cleaners employees or independent contractors? Who pays if something in my home is damaged? A legitimate company answers all three without hesitating.
Updated July 19, 2026 · 2 min read
The NYC move-out cleaning checklist landlords use
Move-out cleaning gets graded by someone looking for reasons to withhold a deposit, so the scope is their checklist and not yours. The items cited most often are oven and refrigerator interiors, bathroom grout, cabinet interiors, window tracks, and the floor line your furniture was hiding.
Updated July 19, 2026 · 1 min read
Post-construction cleaning after an NYC renovation
Post-construction cleaning is a separate trade from housekeeping. Fine gypsum dust settles into every surface and recirculates for weeks, so it needs HEPA vacuums and multiple passes over several days. Expect a per-job quote after a walkthrough, rarely under $600.
Updated July 19, 2026 · 1 min read
Twelve questions to ask before booking a cleaner
Five minutes of specific questions before booking prevents almost every common complaint about cleaning services. Ask what is included and what costs extra, whether you get the same cleaner each visit, who supplies products, whether they are insured, and what the cancellation window is.
Updated July 19, 2026 · 1 min read