"Do I need standard or deep cleaning?" is one of the most common questions we get from first-time clients — and it's a fair one, since most people assume "deep clean" is just a fancier name for the same visit. It isn't. The two services cover different territory, take different amounts of time, and are priced differently for a reason.
What Regular (Standard) Cleaning Covers
Standard cleaning is maintenance-focused. It keeps a home that's already in good shape looking and feeling that way — the surfaces you touch and see every day.
- Kitchen counters, sink, and appliance exteriors
- Bathroom scrub — toilet, tub, sink, mirrors
- Vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping all floors
- Dusting visible surfaces and furniture
- Trash removal
What Deep Cleaning Covers
Deep cleaning includes everything in a standard clean, plus the areas that don't get touched on a routine visit — the spots that build up gradually over weeks or months without anyone noticing until it's obvious.
- Inside the oven, microwave, and refrigerator
- Cabinet interiors, drawer tracks, and pantry shelves
- Baseboards, window sills, and door frames
- Light fixtures, ceiling fans, and vents
- Grout scrubbing and tile detailing
Rule of thumb: If you can see it while standing in the middle of the room, that's standard cleaning. If you have to open something, reach behind something, or get on your knees to find it, that's deep cleaning territory.
Why Deep Cleaning Costs More
Deep cleaning typically runs 60–90% more than a standard visit — not because it's a premium markup, but because it genuinely takes longer. Scrubbing inside an oven or detailing grout lines takes real time that a standard visit simply doesn't budget for.
Which One Do You Actually Need?
Book a Deep Clean If:
- It's your first time hiring a cleaning service for this home
- It's been more than a few months since a thorough clean
- You're preparing for a big event, guests, or a holiday
- You just finished a renovation or seasonal decluttering
Book Standard Cleaning If:
- You're already on a recurring schedule (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly)
- Your home is generally maintained and just needs upkeep
- You had a deep clean recently and want to keep it that way
Most clients follow the same pattern: book a deep clean first to reset the space, then switch to standard cleaning for ongoing maintenance. That combination keeps your home consistently in great shape without paying deep-clean pricing every visit.
Not Sure Which to Book?
Tell Alexis a bit about your home and how long it's been since your last clean — she'll recommend the right starting point.
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