House cleaning services in Malaysia—especially in urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya—have seen steady price adjustments over the past decade. For many homeowners, a standard benchmark service is 2 hours with 2 workers (or 1 worker for 4 hours) for general house cleaning.
With new regulatory requirements and economic changes, many customers are asking an important question:
Will house cleaning prices increase again in 2026?
This article examines historical pricing trends, recent regulatory changes, and forecasts possible price movements for professional cleaning services.
Historical Price Trend for Standard House Cleaning
Using the benchmark of 2 workers × 2 hours (or 1 worker × 4 hours), the general market pricing in Malaysia has evolved as follows:
| Year | Average Market Price |
| 2016 | RM70 – RM80 |
| 2018 | RM80 – RM90 |
| 2020 | RM90 – RM100 |
| 2022 | RM120 – RM150 |
| 2024 | RM120 – RM150 + 8% SST |
Between 2016 and 2020, cleaning prices increased gradually due to moderate wage growth and rising living costs.
However, after 2020, the price jump became more noticeable. The increase between 2020 and 2022 was particularly significant, with prices rising by as much as 30–40% in some areas.
Why Did Prices Increase After 2020?
During the Lockdown, Several industry shifts contributed to this price adjustment.
1. Labour Cost Pressure
Cleaning services rely heavily on manual labour. Over the past few years, the industry has experienced:
- Wage adjustments in the service sector
- Increased demand for reliable workers
- Higher employee retention costs
For professional companies that employ full-time staff, wages represent the largest operational expense.
2. Higher Operating Costs
Running a professional cleaning company involves several operational costs:
- Transportation and fuel
- Cleaning equipment maintenance
- Professional cleaning chemicals
- Training and supervision of staff
These costs have increased steadily due to inflation and supply chain changes.
3. Professionalisation of the Industry
Ten years ago, many cleaning services were provided by freelancers or part-time workers. Today, customers increasingly prefer structured companies that provide:
- Trained cleaning crews
- Proper equipment
- Scheduling systems
- Customer service support
While this improves service quality, it also raises the cost of providing the service. Read more about the challenge here.
The Impact of SST on Cleaning Services
Another factor influencing pricing is Malaysia’s Service Tax (SST).
Professional cleaning companies that meet the required threshold must comply with the 8% service tax under the Malaysian tax system administered by Royal Malaysian Customs Department.
This means that for compliant businesses:
Example pricing in 2024:
Base cleaning price: RM150
SST (8%): RM12
Total: RM162
While customers sometimes perceive this as a price increase, it is actually a tax obligation imposed by regulation, not an arbitrary price adjustment by companies.
Companies that fully comply with SST typically also operate with:
- Proper invoicing
- Registered businesses
- Structured operations
Forecast: Possible Price Increase in 2026
Several global and local economic signals suggest that 2026 has a higher probability of another house cleaning price increase. Globally, rising geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts affecting energy supply—are already pushing up oil and production costs, which economists warn could lead to higher inflation and operating expenses worldwide
At the same time, Malaysia’s economy is projected to continue growing steadily, supported by strong domestic consumption, tourism activity, and services-sector expansion. While inflation remains moderate, businesses are still facing cost pressures from wages, transportation, equipment, and compliance requirements such as expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) obligations.
For labour-intensive industries like residential cleaning—where manpower is the largest expense—even small increases in wages, fuel, and regulatory compliance can significantly impact pricing. As economic activity strengthens and operating costs gradually rise, many professional cleaning companies may need to adjust their service pricing to remain sustainable, making 2026 a likely window for the next market-wide price revision in house cleaning services.
Looking at the historical trend, house cleaning prices have increased roughly every 2–3 years.
From the data:
2016 → 2018: +RM10
2018 → 2020: +RM10
2020 → 2022: +RM30 to +RM50
2022 → 2024: Stable pricing but SST added
Based on this retrospective trend, the next likely adjustment may occur around 2026.
Estimated Market Price in 2026 (Forecast)
For a standard service benchmark:
2 workers × 2 hours
Current price (2024):
RM120 – RM150 + 8% SST
Possible 2026 price range:
RM140 – RM170 + SST
Final payable estimate:
RM151 – RM184 including tax.
This would represent a 10–15% adjustment, which aligns with historical increases in the industry.
Different Types of Cleaning Providers
It is important to note that not all providers follow the same pricing structure.
Freelance Cleaners
Typical price:
RM80 – RM120
These providers may not operate as registered businesses and usually do not charge SST.
Small Cleaning Teams
Typical price:
RM100 – RM140
Small teams may offer flexible pricing but may have limited equipment or staffing capacity.
Professional Cleaning Companies
Typical price:
RM120 – RM150 + SST
These companies usually provide:
- trained workers
- scheduling systems
- equipment and cleaning supplies
- regulatory compliance
What Homeowners Should Expect
For homeowners, house cleaning remains one of the most affordable professional home services available.
Even with future increases, the cost of a 4-hour cleaning session is still relatively accessible compared to other household services such as renovation maintenance or specialised repair work.
Customers who prefer consistent quality and reliable scheduling may continue to favour professional cleaning companies, even if prices increase slightly.
Final Thoughts
Based on past pricing trends and current regulatory requirements, it is likely that house cleaning prices may increase again around 2026.
The main drivers include:
- rising labour costs
- inflation in operating expenses
- increasing professional standards
- compliance with 8% SST
For homeowners in major cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, the expected price adjustment may bring the average cleaning session to around RM140–RM170 before tax.
While this represents a modest increase, it also reflects the gradual evolution of the cleaning industry toward more professional, structured, and reliable service providers like Kilat Pro Services Sdn Bhd.
