CLEANERS · PAYMENT LINKS
Payment Links for Cleaners - Complete UK Guide (2025)
The complete guide to how UK cleaners get paid, including cash, bank transfers, card readers and modern payment links. Learn how to reduce cancellations, chase less, and build a simple payment system that actually works for solo cleaners.
You finish a clean. The house looks spotless. You send a quick message asking for payment. The client replies with: "I will transfer it later."
Later often never comes. Or it comes days late, after you have chased, reminded, and worried about cash sitting in the air instead of in your account.
Most UK cleaners use a mix of cash, bank transfers, card readers, and now payment links. Some of those methods help your business. Some quietly drain your time, energy, and confidence.
This guide shows you the full picture.
You will see how cleaners get paid today, which methods cause the most problems, and how to use payment links and deposits to build a simple, predictable payment system around your cleaning business.
It is written for solo cleaners and small teams in the UK who want less admin, fewer awkward messages, and more money arriving when it should.
How UK Cleaners Get Paid Right Now
Most cleaners in the UK do not rely on just one payment method. You might recognise yourself in one or more of these:
1. Cash in hand
Cash feels simple. The client leaves it on the side or hands it to you at the door. You leave with money in your pocket.
Pros
- Immediate payment when the client is home
- No tech required
- Some clients still prefer it
Cons
- No cash if nobody is home
- Easy for clients to “forget” or delay payment
- Requires you to handle and store physical money
2. Bank transfer
Many cleaners share bank details by text or WhatsApp and ask clients to transfer after the clean.
Pros
- Works even if the client is not home
- Money goes straight into your account
- No extra hardware needed
Cons
- Transfers are easy to “put off until later”
- Messy references that are hard to match up
- Lots of manual chasing and checking your banking app
3. Card readers (SumUp, Zettle, etc.)
Some cleaners use mobile card machines so clients can tap to pay at the door.
Pros
- Professional card payment experience
- Quick when the client is present
- Useful for one off or high value jobs
Cons
- Customer still needs to be there
- Device can run out of battery or lose signal
- You pay fees and manage another bit of kit
4. Payment apps and platforms
A few cleaners use apps like PayPal, Revolut, or general invoicing tools. These can work, but often feel built for larger businesses, not solo cleaners.
They can add extra steps, logins, and confusion for clients who just want a simple way to pay you.
5. Payment links (the cleaner friendly option)
Payment links are secure online payment requests that you send directly to the client on the apps they already use:
The client taps the link, pays by card or wallet, and you see the payment in one place. With Simply Link, you can add deposits, automatic reminders, and polite chasing messages around those links, so you are not doing it manually every time.
Common Payment Situations Cleaners Face
Here are a few situations that most UK cleaners run into at some point. They are exactly where payment links and deposits make the biggest difference.
Client is not home when you finish
You have cleaned the property, locked up, and left. The client says they will “sort the payment tonight”.
If you rely on cash, you get nothing until you go back. With bank transfer, you wait and hope they remember.
With a simple payment link, you can send a message before you leave and most clients will pay within minutes. For a deeper breakdown of the common payment methods and how to combine them, you can read How Cleaners Get Paid in the UK .
Last minute cancellations and “no access” visits
You arrive at the property and nobody is home. The client forgot, double booked themselves, or decided they did not need the clean after all.
Without a deposit, you have lost your time, fuel, and a slot that could have gone to someone reliable.
The simplest fix is to take a small deposit for certain types of work. We cover wording, examples, and message templates in the guide How Cleaners Can Request a Deposit Professionally .
Regular clients who always pay late
The clean is done every week or every fortnight. They are lovely people, but the payment is always late. You feel awkward bringing it up every time.
This is where automatic reminders shine. You set the schedule once. The system sends friendly nudges and final notices, and you only step in when it really matters.
We break down that system in Automatic Payment Reminders for Cleaners .
A Simple Payment System For UK Cleaners
Here is a clear way to structure your payments so that deposits, payment links, and reminders work together.
Choose when you want to be paid
Decide the default rule for your business. For example:
- • Regular weekly or fortnightly cleans paid on the day
- • Deep cleans and end of tenancy cleans paid with a deposit, then balance on completion
- • Landlords or monthly payers billed on a fixed date every month
Set sensible deposit amounts
Deposits do not need to be huge. They just need to be enough that the client takes the booking seriously.
Typical ranges for UK cleaners:
- •Regular cleans: around £10
- •Deep cleans: £20 to £40
- •End of tenancy cleans: £40 to £60
For a detailed walkthrough of deposit wording and policies, see Deposit and Balance Payment Links for Cleaners .
Send a clear payment link every time
After each clean, send a payment link with a short, friendly message. Keep the wording consistent so clients get used to it.
Example message:
"Thanks again for today. Here is your payment link for £40. Tap to pay securely. If there are any problems, just let me know."
For more real examples and app specific tips, you can read How Cleaners Send Payment Links to Clients .
Turn on automatic reminders for late payments
If a client does not pay, your system should follow up automatically so you do not have to.
- •A gentle reminder after 1 or 2 days
- •A firmer follow up after a week
- •A final nudge before you pause or stop the service
Simply Link handles reminder timing, follow up messages, and polite wording automatically around each payment link, which means you are not glued to your phone chasing people.
Save templates so you are not retyping messages
Most cleaners send the same messages over and over. Instead of writing them from scratch every time, save a small library of templates.
Useful template types:
- •New client booking confirmation with deposit link
- •Regular clean payment link message
- •Late payment reminder messages
- •Cancellation policy reminder
We share ready to use examples in Payment Reminder Templates for Cleaners .
Cleaner Pricing and Deposit Examples
Rates vary by area, experience, and the type of clean, but most UK domestic cleaners fall into similar ranges.
- Regular domestic cleans: around £12 to £20 per hour
- Deep cleans: around £80 to £180 per job
- End of tenancy cleans: around £120 to £260 per job
Suggested deposit sizes by clean type:
| Clean type | Suggested deposit |
|---|---|
| Regular clean | Around £10 |
| Deep clean | £20 to £40 |
| End of tenancy | £40 to £60 |
| First time client | Around £20 |
For a deeper look at how to set your rates, handle travel costs, and review your prices each year, see Cleaner Pricing and Rates Guide .
The Cleaners Payment Links Guide Series
This page is your overview of the full payment system. Each of the guides below dives deeper into one part of that system, all written specifically for UK cleaners.
How Cleaners Get Paid in the UK
A deeper breakdown of cash, bank transfers, card readers, and payment links, with pros and cons for each.
How Cleaners Can Request a Deposit Professionally
Exact wording, timing, and examples for asking for deposits without feeling pushy or awkward.
Reduce Cleaner Cancellations
Practical ways to cut down on last minute cancellations and “no access” visits using deposits and clear policies.
How Cleaners Send Payment Links
Where to send links, what to say, and how to make it feel natural for you and your clients.
Automatic Payment Reminders for Cleaners
How to set up gentle, automatic reminders so late payments chase themselves instead of chasing you.
Payment Reminder Templates for Cleaners
Copy and paste message templates for deposits, reminders, and final notices, written in clear UK English.
Deposit and Balance Payment Links for Cleaners
How to take an upfront deposit, then collect the final balance with a separate payment link.
How Cleaners Can Chase Late Payments
A step by step approach to chasing late payments politely, with clear boundaries and next steps.
Cleaner Pricing and Rates Guide
How to set, review, and update your rates with confidence, including examples and talking points for clients.
Case Study: Cleaner 1
A real world style example of a solo cleaner moving from cash and transfers to a payment link system.
Case Study: Cleaner 2
A second case study looking at a small team of cleaners using deposits and reminders to stabilise their income.
The Big Wins For UK Cleaners
Using payment links and a simple payment system gives cleaners:
- More reliable income
Payments arrive closer to the job date, not weeks later, which makes planning your bills and growth much easier.
- Fewer cancellations
Deposits and clear policies filter out unreliable clients so your diary fills with people who respect your time.
- Less admin and chasing
Automated reminders, saved templates, and clear workflows mean fewer nights spent scrolling through chats to see who still owes you money.
- A more professional image
Clients trust cleaners who make payments simple, clear, and secure. It signals that you run a serious business, not a hobby.
- Fewer awkward conversations
When reminders and chasing are handled in a structured, automatic way, you can focus on the clean, not on talking about money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a website to use payment links as a cleaner?
No. You only need a phone. You create a payment link and send it through WhatsApp, text or email. Your client pays on a secure checkout page and you see the payment in your Simply Link account.
Are payment links only for one off cleans?
No. Many cleaners use payment links for regular weekly or fortnightly clients as well as deep cleans and end of tenancy work. Once clients get used to the link, it becomes a simple routine.
How much should I charge as a deposit for cleaning jobs?
There is no single rule, but many UK cleaners use around £10 for regular cleans, £20 to £40 for deep cleans and £40 to £60 for end of tenancy work. The goal is to create commitment, not to overcharge.
What if a client refuses to pay a deposit?
That is usually a warning sign. You can choose to make an exception, but many cleaners treat deposit refusers as higher risk clients and plan their diary accordingly.
Can payment links and reminders really reduce late payments?
Yes. When you send a clear link every time and have automatic reminders set up around it, most clients pay earlier and you spend far less time chasing.
Related Guides
Continue learning with these related guides:
How Cleaners Get Paid — UK Methods Explained
A breakdown of the common ways UK cleaners accept payments for domestic and commercial work.
Read guideHow Cleaners Can Request a Deposit Professionally
A professional UK guide for cleaners on requesting deposits using payment links.
Read guideHow Cleaners Can Reduce Cancellations
A practical guide to reducing cancellations and no-shows as a UK cleaner.
Read guideHow to Send Payment Links as a Cleaner
A simple guide for UK cleaners on how to send payment links by text, WhatsApp and email.
Read guideAutomatic Payment Reminders for Cleaners
Learn how to automate payment chasing as a UK cleaner.
Read guidePayment Reminder Templates for Cleaners
Professional payment reminder templates for UK cleaners.
Read guideDeposit and Balance Payments for Cleaners
How to take deposits upfront and collect balances professionally as a cleaner.
Read guideHow Cleaners Can Chase Late Payments
A practical guide for chasing late payments without awkward conversations.
Read guideCleaner Pricing and Rates Guide
A practical pricing guide for UK cleaners.
Read guideCleaner Case Study — Client A
A real-world case study showing how a UK cleaner improved payments.
Read guideCleaner Case Study — Client B
A second case study showing payment improvements for cleaners.
Read guideCreate a Payment Link in Seconds
Learn how to create payment links manually and with Simply Link.
Read guideHow to Chase Late Payments Automatically
Automate payment reminders and reduce late payments.
Read guideStart Getting Paid Faster - Without Awkward Chasing
If you are a UK cleaner who is tired of chasing payments, sending reminders, or dealing with last minute cancellations, Simply Link gives you everything you need in one place. Send payment links in seconds, take deposits upfront, automate reminders, stop chasing late payments, and protect your time and income. Create your free account today and send your first payment link in under 2 minutes.
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