Domestic and oven cleaning: expenses you can claim

What a domestic cleaner's costs look like

The general rules are in expenses you can claim: you can deduct costs that are wholly and exclusively for the business. This page covers what that means in domestic and oven cleaning.

The kit you'll claim for

Most small traders on the cash basis can deduct the cost of equipment in the year they pay for it. Cars are treated differently. Typical items:

• A reliable car and a caddy of products: Most domestic cleaners use their own car
• A good vacuum, mop and microfibre cloths: Or use the customer's, if you agree it
• Oven-cleaning kit: If you offer one-off oven cleans, you'll need specialist products and protective gear
• Gloves and protective clothing: Many cleaning products are irritants
• A way to store keys and codes safely: You'll be trusted with people's homes

Running costs to keep receipts for

• Cleaning products
• Cloths and sponges
• Vacuum bags and filters
• Gloves
• Oven-cleaning chemicals

Easy to forget in domestic and oven cleaning

• Cleaning products and replacement cloths
• A basic DBS check, if you choose to get one
• Key safes or a secure way to store keys
• Uniform and protective gear

Vehicle costs

Most domestic cleaners claim either a flat rate per mile (55p for the first 10,000 business miles in 2026-27, then 25p) or the actual running costs of the vehicle, but not both on the same vehicle. Compare them over a year before you choose, because once you use the flat rate for a vehicle you must stick to it. The details are in expenses you can claim.

Keep records as you go

Photograph each receipt on the day and file it under the right heading. Your accountant, or HMRC if they ask, will want to see the receipt behind every figure.