Deep vs. Standard Cleaning | What is Included in a Deep House Cleaning?
Curious to find out the difference between a deep cleaning and a basic or standard cleaning service? You’ve come to the right place!
A Touch Above Inc. has almost a decade of professional cleaning experience and comes highly recommended. From studio apartments to multi-million dollar homes, and everything in between - we have seen it all and we’d like to think we know a thing or two!
In this post, we will give you an idea as to what you can expect when booking a cleaning service and we will break down the cleaning process for you, so you are better equipped to book the service that best suits your needs.
What is Deep Cleaning?
Deep cleaning is a thorough, top-to-bottom cleaning of every inch of your home.
A deep cleaning service addresses those out-of-sight and out-of-mind areas that often get overlooked, such as underneath and inside of appliances, fans, fixtures, vents, baseboards, trim, windows, etc.
It’s quite different from a basic or standard cleaning, which will typically only cover the most visible areas of your home.
Due to how in-depth and time-consuming the deep cleaning process is, these services cost considerably more than a basic or standard cleaning. Some providers may charge you a flat rate, while others may charge by square footage or on an hourly basis. Some companies may provide supplies and equipment, and some may not.
On average, homeowners book a deep cleaning two to four times a year, but this greatly depends on the individual and their specific needs. For example, empty nesters are going to have far less build-up and will require less frequent deep cleaning than a family of four living with pets.
Deep cleaning gives people peace of mind. They know every inch of their home will be combed over with TLC, which means fewer allergens and a safer/healthier home environment. Most homeowners feel cleaning is worth the extra cost as they’d much rather have professionals handle the cleaning, so they can focus on other things.
Say goodbye to spending your nights and weekends cleaning and enjoy more quality time with your loved ones!
What is Included in a Deep House Cleaning?
What’s included in a deep house cleaning may vary from one service provider to another.
Some companies may target or exclude certain parts of your home from their deep clean packages. Some may build a custom package for you or offer to split up the initial deep cleaning list, in an effort to meet you at your budget.
In any case, a comprehensive deep clean should cover your:
Bathrooms
Kitchen
Bedrooms
Living Room
General Spaces
Bathrooms
Due to being a warm and damp environment, bathrooms are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. It’s also very common for things like mold, odors, hard water, etc. to develop rather quickly in bathrooms. For this reason, they often require the most attention. Keeping germs and bacteria to a minimum is important for your health and the health of your family.
Therefore, a bathroom deep cleaning should cover:
Cleaning and disinfecting medicine cabinet exterior, shelving, mirrors and glass, towel bars, toilet paper holders, blinds, radiators, vents, etc.
Cleaning and disinfecting the walls, doors, door frames, baseboards, windows, window frames, sills, etc.
Cleaning and disinfecting vanity - this will include the cabinetry, countertop, faucet, and fixtures
Cleaning and disinfecting light switches and outlet covers
Deep cleaning the toilet exterior and interior - which often includes removing the lid to clean and disinfect the underside and all hardware
Deep cleaning bathtub and/or shower exterior and interior - including shelving, doors, track, faucets and fixtures, knobs, etc.
Emptying and disinfecting trash cans and replacing liners
Vacuuming, washing, and disinfecting the flooring - moving as much furniture and personal belongings as possible and getting under, around, or behind anything that cannot be moved
Kitchen
Many people consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home, a room where so many precious memories are made. However, surfaces in the kitchen such as cabinets, counters, appliances, and sinks are an easy breeding ground for bacteria and germs when neglected for too long. Furthermore, heavy grease build-up is not only difficult to remove, but it can also increase the probability of starting a grease fire. If your kitchen isn’t cleaned and sanitized regularly, you are also putting yourself and your family at risk for things like bug and rodent infestations, and foodborne illness due to spoilage or cross-contamination. For all of these reasons, your kitchen should get just as much attention as your bathroom(s).
Here’s a list of what you can expect to be covered in a kitchen deep cleaning:
Cleaning and disinfecting light switches and outlet covers
Cleaning and disinfecting the walls, doors, door frames, baseboards, radiators, vents, windows, window frames, sills, etc.
Cleaning and disinfecting exterior cabinetry and hardware, backsplash, counters, exterior appliances, furniture, etc.
Cleaning and disinfecting the sink, faucets, and fixtures
Cleaning and disinfecting small appliances like the coffee maker, toaster, blender, food processor, etc.
Cleaning and disinfecting the interior of appliances like ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators, and microwaves
Cleaning underneath and behind appliances
Tidying - to make everything look organized and presentable
Cleaning and organizing the cabinets or pantry and their contents - this typically needs to be discussed with the service provider ahead of time as it is very time-consuming to unload, sort, clean, and reload contents, in addition to a whole-house deep cleaning service
Emptying and disinfecting trash cans and replacing liners
Vacuuming, washing, and disinfecting the flooring - moving as much furniture and personal belongings as possible and getting under, around, or behind anything that cannot be moved
Bedrooms
Your bedroom is your private space, where you’ll rest and recharge and be better equipped to tackle whatever life throws at you next. Unfortunately, bedrooms tend to be the least of people’s concerns, as they’d much rather focus their time and energy on high-traffic areas of the home. It’s very common for bedrooms to be that out-of-sight and out-of-mind area where dirty laundry and clean laundry piles accumulate, waiting to be dealt with. Along with anything else that you don’t want your company to see. However, the dusting has also gotten away from you, and you can’t remember the last time you changed your sheets or did a thorough vacuuming of the room. You don’t have a clue what’s currently under your bed. Things like baseboards and fixtures are building up, and because of how much time you spend in your bedroom, the cleanliness must be kept up to avoid it negatively impacting your health. Deep cleaning your bedroom(s) periodically will ensure all those things you’ve been putting on the back burner are addressed. You’ll have a clean and tidy space to lay your head, giving you one less thing to worry about.
Here’s what you can expect when having your bedroom(s) deep cleaned:
Changing linens (if provided or requested) and/or straightening the bed
Cleaning and disinfecting light switches and outlet covers
Cleaning and disinfecting the walls, doors, door frames, baseboards, radiators, vents, windows, window frames, sills, etc.
Dusting and wiping down shelving and any exterior cabinetry and hardware on built-ins
Dusting and wiping down any glass, mirrors, etc.
Dusting and wiping down all furniture, lamps, picture frames, books, knick-knacks, etc.
Thoroughly vacuuming furniture - including underneath cushions and straightening blankets and pillows
Emptying and disinfecting trash cans and replacing liners
Vacuuming, washing, and disinfecting the flooring - moving as much furniture and personal belongings as possible and getting under, around, or behind anything that cannot be moved
Living Room
As the name suggests, the living room (in most homes) sees a lot of life! It’s typically where we spend our time socializing and entertaining our guests. It’s a place where people gather for parties and celebrations. It may double as a playroom. It may contain dog beds, and crates, or it may be an area that your pets spend a lot of time in. It may be a place family members are allowed to eat. It may be tidy. It might be cluttered. Regardless, everyone needs a space where they can kick back and relax at the end of a long day. Much like bathrooms and kitchens, the cleanliness of your living room is very important.
Deep cleaning a living room typically includes:
Cleaning and disinfecting light switches and outlet covers
Cleaning and disinfecting the walls, doors, door frames, baseboards, radiators, vents, windows, window frames, sills, etc.
Dusting and wiping down shelving and any exterior cabinetry and hardware on built-ins
Dusting and wiping down any glass, mirrors, etc.
Dusting and wiping down all furniture, lamps, picture frames, books, knick-knacks, etc.
Thoroughly vacuuming furniture - including underneath cushions and straightening blankets and pillows
Emptying and disinfecting trash cans and replacing liners
Vacuuming, washing, and disinfecting the flooring - moving as much furniture and personal belongings as possible and getting under, around, or behind anything that cannot be moved
General Spaces
All other areas of your home that don’t fall into the above-mentioned categories are what we would consider general spaces. Such as hallways, offices, entryways, etc. It’s common for these areas to be overlooked as they aren’t exactly high-priority, but these areas do need deep cleaning on occasion for the same reasons the other rooms in your home do.
Deep cleaning general spaces in your home should entail:
Cleaning and disinfecting light switches and outlet covers
Cleaning and disinfecting the walls, doors, door frames, baseboards, radiators, vents, windows, window frames, sills, etc.
Dusting and wiping down shelving and any exterior cabinetry and hardware on built-ins
Dusting and wiping down any glass, mirrors, etc.
Dusting and wiping down all furniture, lamps, picture frames, books, knick-knacks, etc.
Thoroughly vacuuming furniture - including underneath cushions and straightening blankets and pillows
Emptying and disinfecting trash cans and replacing liners
Vacuuming, washing, and disinfecting the flooring - moving as much furniture and personal belongings as possible and getting under, around, or behind anything that cannot be moved
When to Get Deep Cleaning Done
As we mentioned previously, deep cleaning is typically done 2-4 times per year. Homeowners typically have deep cleaning done when:
They’re hosting a party or entertaining guests
They need things tidy for the holidays - often before, but sometimes after the holiday as well
Seasons change - Think Spring or Winter
They can’t do it themselves due to time constraints, injuries, disabilities, etc.
Things have gotten away from them and they are overwhelmed
They are traveling and want things clean and tidy when they get home
What is Basic or Standard Cleaning?
Basic or standard cleaning is also referred to as regular or maintenance cleaning. These cleanings will typically only cover the most visible areas of your home. This can be done just once or on a recurring schedule. This may range from weekly to monthly but could also be done every few months or several times per year, depending on your needs. Some service providers may have recurring discounts that they offer, depending on what schedule you choose, but most only offer recurring discounts for up to four weeks.
How often homeowners choose to schedule greatly depends on the individual and their specific needs. As we mentioned previously, empty nesters will require less frequent cleanings than a larger family or a family living with pets.
The amount of time needed will also vary as many factors can impact the amount of time needed to complete the cleaning. Such as client priorities, upkeep between visits, if there has been a party or more foot traffic in the home, if there has been any construction or renovations done since the last appointment, if any appointments have been skipped, etc.
These cleanings are not typically as intense or detail-oriented as they are just meant to help the homeowner(s) keep up, but are not designed to be a complete overhaul. For this reason, basic or standard cleanings do not require as much time and will come at a lesser cost.
Basic Or Standard Cleaning - What’s Included?
A basic or standard clean should cover your:
Bathrooms
Kitchen
Bedrooms
Living Room
General Spaces
Keep reading for a breakdown of what you can expect to have covered when booking a basic or standard cleaning with a cleaning service provider! Please keep in mind that these checklists are just to give you an idea of what is TYPICALLY included, but each business and business owner do things differently.
Bathrooms
Here’s what’s typically done in bathrooms on a basic or standard cleaning:
Cobweb removal
Clean glass and mirrors
Clean shower, tub, and vanity
Touch up cabinetry as needed
Clean and rinse sinks and wipe down faucets
Uncluttered furniture and windowsills dusted
Light tidying to make the room look presentable
Clean the toilet and toilet bowl
Vacuum and mop flooring
Remove trash
Kitchen
Here’s a list of what you can expect to have done in the kitchen:
Cobweb removal
Clean glass and mirrors
Counters wiped down
Cabinets and backsplash touched up - as needed
Clean and rinse sinks and wipe down faucets
Cleaning exterior of small and large appliances
Uncluttered furniture and windowsills dusted
Light tidying to make the room look presentable
Vacuum and mop flooring
Bedrooms
A basic or standard cleaning of a bedroom should cover:
Cobweb removal
Clean glass and mirrors
Straightening beds and furniture
Uncluttered furniture and windowsills dusted
Light tidying to make the room look presentable
Vacuum and mop flooring
Remove trash
Living Room
You can expect the following when having your living room cleaned:
Cobweb removal
Clean glass and mirrors
Straightening furniture - specify if you want furniture vacuumed as it may not be standard for all service providers
Uncluttered furniture and windowsills dusted
Light tidying to make the room look presentable
Vacuum and mop flooring
Remove trash
General Spaces
Cleaning of general spaces in your home should entail:
Cobweb removal
Clean glass and mirrors
Straightening furniture - specify if you want furniture vacuumed as it may not be standard for all service providers
Uncluttered furniture and windowsills dusted
Light tidying to make the room look presentable
Vacuum and mop flooring
Remove trash
Deep Cleaning vs. Basic/Standard Cleaning: How They Compare
Now that you know the differences between a deep cleaning and a basic or standard cleaning, which will you choose? There’s obviously some similarities, but there are also some substantial differences. For example, how in-depth you need or would like the cleaning to be and how much you’re able or willing to spend on the service.
Just to recap, deep cleaning is a thorough, top-to-bottom cleaning of every inch of your home. A deep cleaning service addresses those out-of-sight and out-of-mind areas that often get overlooked, such as underneath and inside of appliances, fans, fixtures, vents, baseboards, trim, windows, etc. It’s quite different from a basic or standard cleaning, which will typically only cover the most visible areas of your home. Basic or standard cleanings are not typically as intense or detail-oriented as they are just meant to help the homeowner(s) keep up, but are not designed to be a complete overhaul.
Due to how in-depth and time-consuming the deep cleaning process is, these services cost considerably more than a basic or standard cleaning. On average, homeowners book a deep cleaning two to four times a year, but this greatly depends on the individual and their specific needs. A basic or standard cleaning is typically set-up on a recurring basis, ranging from weekly to monthly.
Deep cleaning is the way to go if you are buying or selling, if things are heavily built up, you are hosting a party or entertaining guests, need a thorough once over before an upcoming holiday, etc. A deep cleaning is also the perfect way to kick-start a change in seasons and/or work your way into a recurring service, as it is always easier to start with a clean slate.
Do you want your home to be kept to a certain standard and lack the time and/or ability to keep up on things yourself? Do you find yourself getting easily overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list? Then a basic or standard cleaning (on a recurring basis) will be a tremendous help to you.
These services may come as a package or be priority-based. What’s included in a basic/standard, or deep house cleaning may vary from one service provider to another. Be sure to read over websites and/or cleaning checklists and make sure everything you’d like to have done is mentioned ahead of time. If there is something you’d like to have included in your basic/standard, or deep house cleaning that you do not see listed, it needs to be discussed with the service provider, as it may not get done otherwise.
Keep in mind, most companies upcharge for things like baseboards, windows, appliances, etc. Some providers may charge you a flat rate, while others may charge by the square footage or on an hourly basis. Some companies may provide supplies and equipment and some may not.
Whichever service you decide to go with, it’s important that you express your needs and concerns, likes and dislikes, allergies and sensitivities upfront, as well as keep open lines of communication for the duration of your relationship to ensure everyone is on the same page. This will help to limit any confusion as to what is or isn’t being done. For instance, a door closed in the home can mean a number of things. Is the door closed to keep an animal out? Is the room a bit more disheveled than usual and therefore an area the homeowner would like them to avoid? It’s best to be clear in your instructions as no two homes or homeowners are alike. Everyone has different needs and priorities. By communicating and prioritizing with the service provider, you can ensure your expectations are met and continue to be.
Also, if a service provider is willing to work with you and your budget, you need to make sure your expectations are realistic in terms of what you’re wanting to have done and what you’re wanting to spend. The service provider will not rush or overload themselves to accommodate you as that’s how mistakes are made and accidents happen.
In Conclusion
There are many factors you should consider before hiring any service provider. Such as how long they’ve been in business, how much experience they have in the industry, whether or not they are insured, if they are a reputable business or working under the table, if supplies and equipment will be provided, etc. We encourage you to shop around - check reviews, websites, terms, etc.
All in all, a clean and tidy space means fewer allergens and a safer/healthier home environment for you and your family. A clean and tidy space gives people peace of mind. It boosts your mood and increases productivity. By delegating what we can (like cleaning), we are able to free up some of our time and energy, allowing us to focus on more important things.
Remember, it’s okay to ask for help.
