![\"UK](\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UK-cleaning-industry-blog-hero-image_istock-edit.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAs we sweep into 2026, sustainability and smart tech are shaping the future of the UK cleaning industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sector has grown steadily in recent years. More young people are using apps to book home cleaning services<\/a> while demand for specialist commercial cleaning<\/a> keeps rising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But the same challenges continue to thwart the industry. Labour shortages since Brexit, rising unemployment, and staff shortages<\/a><\/a> continue to put pressure on many cleaning businesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2024, the BCC (British Cleaning Council) called on the government to recognise cleaning and hygiene as a national priority.<\/a> That same year, a new industry apprenticeship<\/a> was launched to boost recruitment and drive high standards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This article breaks down the latest cleaning industry statistics for the UK, covering both domestic and commercial cleaning services, and looks at what’s new for the sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Insurance for cleaners takes the pressure off coping with claims alone. Find out how we can support you with advice and guidance on what you need<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, how much is the cleaning industry worth? It contributed a whopping \u00a359.8 billion<\/a> to the UK economy in 2021, and it looks as though it\u2019s continuing to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most recent UK cleaning industry statistics show continuous year-on-year growth since 2014. Then, just under 50,000 companies were in operation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2025, the total number of cleaning businesses in the UK was around 75,565. (Or 78,915 if you include sub-industries like waste and facilities management, and landscaping services.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, industry turnover has increased by 22.2% since 2019, in line with all economic growth. With facilities management (46%) making up nearly half of all turnover, followed by waste and resource management (26%), cleaning activities (18%), and landscaping services (10%). <\/p>\n\n\n\n All subsectors, bar landscaping services<\/a>, saw their revenue increase after facing a dip in 2020. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The commercial cleaning market continues to perform strongly, with growing demand for specialist services. Many clients now outsource cleaning and related services, such as security or catering, to keep costs down \u2013 helping fuel further growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Automation is also on the rise. Cleaning robots<\/a> and other automated cleaning services are becoming more common, reflecting a global trend. In fact, the robot cleaning market is expected to grow by 22.9% by 2030<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Demand is increasing for niche services too, including carpet and upholstery cleaning<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the domestic side, the UK residential cleaning market is growing as lifestyles change. An ageing population and longer working hours means more households are getting help at home<\/a>. In fact, 40% of homeowners under 35 now employ a cleaner<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, the future\u2019s not all rosy. Despite a fall of around 200,000 vacancies between 2023 and 2025, hiring staff is still difficult. Rising unemployment<\/a> hasn’t eased the pressure, with 1.8 million people out of work between August and October 2025 \u2013 the highest level since 2015. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The British Cleaning Council (BCC)<\/a> found that the UK cleaning industry directly employs just over 1 million (1,012,400) people. This is an increase of 0.8% from the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most roles are part-time, accounting for 67%<\/a> of the workforce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Around 22% of workers are foreign-born, although this varies widely by region. In London, for example, overseas workers make up about 60% of the cleaning workforce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Employees in the cleaning, hygiene, and waste disposal sector combined continue to make up around 5% of the UK\u2019s entire workforce \u2013 roughly 1.51 million people<\/a> in total. This includes people working in hospitality or as cabin crew, who clean as part of their job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite growing uptake of the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene operative apprenticeship, recruitment remains a concern. The workforce is ageing, with only 9% of workers under 25 and 29% aged over 55.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the UK still ranks fifth globally for the number of people employed as cleaners, making the cleaning and hygiene industry a \u2018top ten\u2019 employer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The UK cleaning industry continues to grow, although the total number of cleaning businesses has dipped. There were 75,565 businesses operating in 2025, down from 77,540 in 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Growth varied widely by region. London and the East Midlands saw above average increases in cleaning businesses, followed by the northwest of England and Northern Ireland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the other end of the scale, the southwest of England recorded the weakest growth, with the number of cleaning businesses rising by just 0.21% in 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The formation of new businesses has also slowed. The number of new cleaning start-ups fell from 8,295 to 6,810 between 2021 and 2024. While 6,145 existing start-ups stopped trading in 2024 alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Number of cleaning businesses by UK nation in 2026<\/strong> UK total \u2013 75,565<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Number of cleaning businesses by region in 2026<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The commercial cleaning services market has the biggest share in the industry. Around 397,500 people<\/a> work in commercial cleaning services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The importance of health-driven cleaning to maintain hygiene and cleanliness in hospitals, offices, schools, hotels, retail outlets, and other public spaces more widely recognised since the COVID-19 pandemic. And this has lead to impressive growth in demand for commercial cleaning services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a survey carried out after the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a>, 61% of people said that seeing a cleaning and hygiene operative in a public space gave them confidence that health and safety measures were being taken seriously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s particularly important for commercial cleaning companies to keep up with technological advancements in the cleaning industry<\/a>, as smart technology and automation become increasingly popular. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two major trends emerging as we head into 2026: tech and green cleaning<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Industrial cleaning trends show that many commercial cleaning companies are now turning to robotic cleaners that can perform simple tasks, such as vacuum cleaning and floor scrubbing, without supervision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While still in its infancy, the use of IoT (‘Internet of Things’) devices and smart technology in commercial cleaning is on the rise too. By using this kind of technology, cleaning services can monitor cleanliness levels as well as things like when equipment needs attention or dispensers needs topping up etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both commercial and home cleaning trends show that being eco-friendly is no longer seen as a \u2018nice-to-have\u2019 or a luxury. The environmental impact of the cleaning industry is now at the forefront of everyone\u2019s minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we move into 2026, cleaners are moving away from the use of harsh chemicals and throw-away products. Instead, they\u2019re opting for eco-friendly products and more sustainable practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The cleaning industry provides a vital public service. The role it played during the COVID-19 pandemic and the desire to maintain high hygiene standards post-pandemic, underline the fact that there\u2019ll always be a need for it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, any cleaning company, no matter what size and whether in the domestic, commercial, or waste management fields, needs cleaners\u2019 insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because, unfortunately, the very nature of your business means things get broken, chemical fluids get spilled, and sometimes people get hurt. Especially when staff are under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All that costs money to fix, which is where self-employed cleaner insurance<\/a> can help you. If damage is done, either in someone\u2019s home or on a business\u2019s premises, public liability insurance<\/a> mops up the legal costs and any compensation you have to pay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you have anyone working for you, you\u2019ll need employers\u2019 liability insurance<\/a> to protect them in case of illness or injury at work. It\u2019s the law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find out more about insurance for cleaners<\/a> on our website. Or call 0345 222 5391<\/strong> to speak to our team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Images used under license from iStock.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As we sweep into 2026, sustainability and smart tech are shaping the future of the UK cleaning industry. The sector has grown steadily in recent years. More young people are using apps to book home cleaning services while demand for specialist commercial cleaning keeps … Continue reading UK cleaning industry statistics at a glance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe state of the UK cleaning market<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trends and predictions for the UK cleaning industry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"UK](\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UK-cleaning-ind-blog_graphic-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nUK cleaning industry employment statistics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"UK](\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UK-cleaning-ind-blog_graphic-2.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n![\"Cleaning](\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UK-cleaning-ind-blog_graphic-3.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCleaning industry growth statistics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
England \u2013 66,365
Scotland \u2013 4,775
Wales \u2013 3,055
Northern Ireland \u2013 1,370<\/p>\n\n\n\n
East \u2013 8,245
East Midlands \u2013 4,645
London \u2013 13,655
North East \u2013 2,055
North West \u2013 7,375
South East \u2013 12,755
South West \u2013 7,005
West Midlands \u2013 5,680
Yorkshire and Humber \u2013 4,950<\/p>\n\n\n\nCommercial cleaning statistics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cleaning industry trends for 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Clean up your business protection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n