Home cleaning in Sweden normally covers vacuuming and mopping floors, dusting accessible surfaces, and the bathroom and kitchen at surface level. Most households book every two weeks. The work earns a 50 percent RUT deduction, and that applies even if you rent.
What is included, room by room
Kitchen
Sink and taps, worktops, hob, microwave inside, the outside of appliances and cupboard doors, dining table and chairs, and the floor. The bin is emptied.
Bathroom
Toilet, basin and taps, shower or bath, tiles around wet areas, mirror and shelves, and the floor. The floor drain is wiped at surface level.
Bedrooms and living room
Vacuuming and mopping, dusting accessible surfaces, window sills, mirrors and the TV unit. Bed changing is included only if you have agreed it separately.
Hall and elsewhere
Floors, shoe rack, door handles and light switches, and mirrors.
Accessible surfaces is the key phrase. The cleaner wipes what can be reached, not what is covered in belongings. That is why how tidy the home is makes a real difference to the result.
What is not included
These are common extras, or belong to a deep clean instead:
- Oven, fridge and freezer inside
- Inside cupboards, drawers and wardrobes
- Window cleaning
- Behind and under heavy furniture and appliances
- Radiators, skirting boards and woodwork in depth
- Balcony and glazed terrace
- Ironing, laundry and bed changing
Always ask for a written scope list before signing. This is the most common source of misunderstanding, because "cleaning" means different things to different companies.
How often should you book?
| Interval | Suits |
|---|---|
| Weekly | Families with children, pets, larger homes, allergies |
| Fortnightly | Most households, the Swedish norm |
| Every four weeks | Smaller households who keep on top of things |
Kitchens and bathrooms usually need more frequent attention than other rooms. A common arrangement is fortnightly cleaning plus one deep clean a year, often in spring.
Products: who supplies what?
Many companies include mops, cloths and detergents in the price. Some expect you to provide a vacuum cleaner, since carrying one between clients is impractical. This should be stated clearly in the contract.
If materials are billed separately they are not eligible for RUT and must appear on their own line.
Using your own products
Most companies will use your products if you say so in advance. Worth doing for allergies, scent sensitivity, or if you want eco-labelled products. Leave them out visibly and write a short note the first time.
How to prepare
- Clear loose items, clothes and toys from floors and surfaces
- Wash up, or empty the dishwasher
- Agree how keys and any alarm code are handled
- Write down specific requests, such as delicate surfaces or rooms to skip
- Make sure pets are settled if they find strangers stressful
Half an hour of tidying often improves the result more than an extra hour of cleaning, because the time goes on surfaces instead of moving belongings.
RUT for home cleaning
Home cleaning earns a 50 percent RUT deduction on the labour cost, up to 75,000 SEK per person per year (Skatteverket). The company applies it directly on the invoice.
It applies even if you rent, unlike the ROT deduction which requires you to own the home. If two adults live in the household you can split the invoice and use both allowances.
See cleaning costs and RUT for what it costs.
Common questions
What is included in home cleaning?
Vacuuming and mopping, dusting accessible surfaces, the bathroom including toilet, basin and shower, and the kitchen including sink, surfaces and the outside of appliances.
How often should I book home cleaning?
Every two weeks suits most households. Weekly with children or pets, every four weeks if you keep on top of it.
What is not included in standard home cleaning?
Ovens and appliances inside, inside cupboards, window cleaning, behind heavy furniture, balconies, ironing and laundry.
Does the company bring cleaning products?
Often yes, though some expect you to provide a vacuum. Billed materials do not qualify for RUT.
Can the cleaner use my own products?
Yes, if you say so in advance. Useful for allergies or eco-labelled products.
Does home cleaning qualify for RUT?
Yes, 50 percent of the labour, and it applies even if you rent (Skatteverket).
Related guides: cleaning costs and RUT, deep cleaning and choosing a cleaning company. Back to cleaning in Stockholm.