Whether cleaning help pays off depends on what your own time is worth: with the servicefradrag deduction applied, an hour at Hilfr costs less than many people think, and in return you get the hours back. Here is the calculation, so you can put in your own numbers instead of guessing.
Here is the honest maths — with the servicefradrag (the Danish tax deduction for household services) included, because it changes more than most people think.
What does it actually cost?
Take a typical example: three hours of cleaning every two weeks with a Hilfr cleaner at an hourly rate of DKK 200. That gives a total price of about DKK 1,290 per visit — all inclusive: the cleaner's wages, pension, holiday pay, insurance and VAT. Around DKK 2,580 a month for a home that never gets a chance to slip.
That is the full, transparent price. No surcharges, no subscription, no lock-in.
The servicefradrag changes the maths
The wage share of your payment is tax-deductible, and the tax value is a good quarter of the wage cost. In the example above, that means the real monthly cost drops noticeably — Hilfr calculates the deductible amount for you under Invoices, and you report it yourself on skat.dk (the Danish tax authority's site).
And remember: the deduction cap applies per person, so couples can use two caps. Regular, legal cleaning is one of the easiest ways to use the deduction — all it takes is electronic payment and an invoice, and both are automatic at Hilfr.
What do you get for the money?
For most people, three hours of professional cleaning equals 4-5 hours of their own effort — spread across a week where it never really gets finished anyway. Factor in your own hourly wage, or don't: for many, the decisive thing isn't the kroner but that the weekend no longer starts with a bathroom.
On top of that comes what you can't do yourself: continuity. A regular cleaner who knows the home maintains a standard that occasional heroic efforts never reach.
When does it make the most sense?
The maths tips fastest for families with children, households where both partners work long hours, and anyone who consistently spends the weekend catching up on everyday life. Conversely: if you live alone in a small flat and enjoy cleaning, the answer may be no — and that's fine too.
If you want to test it, start with three hours every two weeks. There is no lock-in at Hilfr, so the experiment costs exactly one visit — and you usually know after the first.
Still have questions? Find answers on our FAQ page — or see whether Hilfr covers your area.
