To increase this clients charge ?

She is the one being transactional over your friendship.

I’ve had to raise prices over several years and never ever have been spoken treated like that.
her behaviour has been beyond disgraceful and if had a smidgeon from anyone I’d have automatically given my notice.
Such blatant disrespect, she has clearly shown you what she thinks of you, you can’t salvage any form of friendship.

Honestly, I wouldn't want her as a client or a friend. This arrangement is ridiculously one-sided and you are bending over backwards to please her while she just absolutely takes the piss.

She can obviously afford to pay at the rates you charge your other clients but is manipulating you and pleading poverty. You are losing money here when you could take on another client who will pay you properly.

You have loads of friends who treat you properly so please ditch this freeloading 'friend'.

She’s taking advantage of you. She has the money she just doesn’t want to give it to you. She is manipulating you.

Stop working for her unless she is paying your higher amount. If you got sick or couldn’t work for her she would never speak to you again. Because you aren’t friends and she’s a user.

And as @Steeleydan said, and after reading and digesting this thread, are you sure you are still happy to work for £15?

She’s taking the piss out of you.

She is completely taking the piss

Who the hell does she think she is.
She is so rude dismissing you like that.
I would find your anger OP she’s taking you for a fool.

Tried to speak to you today in person but you were too busy. I am reassured that you dont find anything awkward. I have informed you of the increase in rates which is effective from 1 September 2026. Once you have confirmed you are content with the hourly rate of £xph I will confim future bookings. It is not anticipated to be any rises before 1 April 2027. (Or whatever date you see fit) keep it open that there may be rises in future.
Good luck.

Request payment in advance.

She knows exactly what she is doing. She is being disrespectful to you and your business.

I think you need to press on with doing this by text. Tell her you are putting your rates up for bookings from X date onwards.

Great text.
She is preparing to play chicken with you as she thinks you will bow down.

You are no more her friend.
You are a convenience to exploit.

Just another CF.

I would reply and say just to confirm
going forward from your next clean the new price will be £x please let me know you are happy to proceed at the new price . I wouldn’t leave it and just turn up id defo get this sorted beforehand

Just reply as of 1st October (or choose a date) my prices will increase to £15 per hr
Or £17.50 if you dare!
Thank you for your continued support of my small business.
That way youre making it look like a generic text sent to all your client, if she says she cant afford it, just say 'ok thats fine' don't go into he said,she said why fors or where fors. Just OK fine. Xx
Ps good luck with the cheeky fucker

Has she booked you at the old rate or the new rate?

She knows full well you need to increase your prices. Just tell her "my hourly rate is £x, please confirm this is ok or you will have to find someone else"

Will invariably sound harsh here, but it's likely the cat will die before she will. So, you're probably safe from inheriting a cat!

Business is business and you have to earn a living too. So, you need to tell her firmly, but kindly that those are the rates going forward, cat or no cat.

I would love to be so hard up that I could only afford a mate's rate cleaner!!! Unfortunately I have to do mine myself 😥

Personally I never expect ‘mates rates’. I prefer to know that I am supporting a friend rather than a stranger.

She’s upset and annoyed because you’re realising she’s what I call a taker. She’ll use you while it suits her and think it’s ok, and not worry about treating you in a fair way. Step away from this friendship, she uses people.

I would honestly say that, because you value her friendship you are going to step away from the cleaning now and get another client. That you are doing this to keep the friendship. Whether she wants the friendship is then up to her. Whether she can afford another cleaner or not is up to her. If she truly valued your friendship she wouldn’t be acting the way she is. You can still be in her will for the cat. You don’t deserve to de value yourself to please her.

This....

I don’t know how much you charge her, obviously, but have you pointed out to her what minimum wage is and how your hourly rate compares to that? Explain about tax/NI, pension, overheads (transport, cleaning products), etc.
Maybe ask her how many days paid annual leave she gets, and what sick pay she gets, then point out that you don’t get that, you just get £x per hour.

In what way are you friends? Or is it a friendly chat when she is following you around whilst you clean?