Regular Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning

A regular cleaning is designed for maintenance. This type of cleaning focuses on keeping high-traffic and high-use areas neat and tidy, making it perfect for weekly or biweekly sessions. Here’s what you can expect in a regular cleaning:

• Dusting surfaces and high-touch areas

• Sweeping and mopping floors

• Vacuuming carpets and rugs

• Wiping down kitchen surfaces, including countertops and cabinets

• Cleaning bathroom sinks, mirrors, and toilets

• Taking out the trash

Regular cleaning covers these tasks and keeps your home looking neat. However, it doesn’t focus on the deep, detailed areas that accumulate grime over time.

Deep Cleaning: A More Thorough Clean

Deep cleaning is a more detailed, intensive service. A deep clean is typically done less frequently than a regular cleaning—usually seasonally or as needed—and takes about twice as long. For example, if a regular cleaning takes 1.5 hours, a deep clean for the same space might take around 3 hours for two cleaners.

Here’s what a typical deep clean involves:

• Everything in a regular cleaning: You get all the basics but with more attention to detail.

• Additional areas: Dusting baseboards, ceiling fans, and light fixtures.

• Detailed kitchen cleaning: Scrubbing cabinet fronts, deep cleaning stovetops, and polishing appliances.

• Bathroom detailing: Grout scrubbing, deep cleaning around toilets, and sanitizing shower areas.

Some additional tasks, like inside oven cleaning, fridge cleaning, and interior window cleaning, are often considered “add-ons” for deep cleaning. For example, cleaning the fridge requires partially emptying its contents, so we recommend scheduling it before grocery shopping.

Optional Add-Ons for Deep Cleaning:

Certain tasks, like cleaning inside the oven, fridge, and interior windows, are considered add-ons for deep cleaning. Here’s a bit more detail on these add-ons:

• Oven Cleaning: We’ll scrub and clean the inside of your oven, making it look fresh and ready for cooking.

• Fridge Cleaning: We recommend scheduling fridge cleaning before grocery shopping, as the fridge will need to be partially emptied.

• Interior Window Cleaning: We clean interior windows and their tracks, removing dirt and buildup. We do not clean exterior windows.

Understanding Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning

A move-in/move-out cleaning is different from both regular and deep cleaning. This service is meant for an empty home and is generally more comprehensive, as it involves cleaning every inch of the space. With no furniture in the way, cleaners can address all areas thoroughly. This type of cleaning typically takes longer since every surface, from baseboards to closets, is included.

What’s Included in a Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning:

• Full appliance cleaning, both inside and out

• Interior window cleaning, including tracks and sills

• Detailed cleaning of cabinets, drawers, and shelving

• Scrubbing and disinfecting of bathrooms and kitchens

• Vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping of all floors

This service ensures your new home is move-in ready or that your previous space is clean for the next resident.

Preparing for a Deep Clean: What You Need to Know

When preparing for a deep clean, there are a few steps you can take to make the process smoother and ensure the best results. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

1. Declutter Your Space

Cluttered areas can prevent cleaners from accessing surfaces. We recommend that you tidy up and remove personal items from surfaces before your appointment. This helps cleaners reach all the areas they need to and minimizes the risk of items being moved or damaged.

2. Secure Pets

For the safety of both your pets and our team, we ask that animals are kept in a secure, designated area during the cleaning service. This allows us to work more efficiently and prevents pets from accidentally being let outside or getting into cleaning supplies.

3. Plan to Be Away (if Possible)

While it’s not mandatory, we recommend that clients aren’t home during deep cleaning appointments. This allows the team to move through the house freely and work more efficiently. If you prefer to stay, staying in one area while we work in another can also help. For Move in/out cleanings for insurance purposes, we require the home to be completely empty of items, pets, or people.

4. Add-On Services

If you’d like extras like fridge or oven cleaning, remember that these require some preparation. For a fridge clean, we recommend scheduling it before your next grocery trip to make it easier to empty.

Standard Limitations in Professional Cleaning Services

It’s important to note that, as with most professional cleaning companies, we follow certain industry standards for health, safety, and efficiency. Here are some areas that most professional cleaners, including our team, generally avoid:

• No Handling of Pet Waste: For health reasons, we do not handle pet waste, litter, or rabbit grass.

• No Bodily Fluids: Cleaning services do not extend to human bodily fluids, including blood or urine, as these require specialized cleaning protocols.

• No Moving of Furniture: We clean around furniture but avoid moving items to prevent damage and injury. This also applies to climbing on or moving large items.

• No Heavy Decluttering: While we do provide surface-level cleaning, we ask that clients declutter areas beforehand. Piles of items, large amounts of trash, and similar areas should be addressed prior to our arrival.

• No High Reach Beyond Step Ladder: For safety, we limit high-reaching tasks to those within reach of a 3-step ladder. This includes light fixtures, high shelves, and ceiling fans.

• No Trash Removal Beyond Standard Bins: We take out trash that’s already in designated bins, but we don’t remove extra trash or dispose of items like broken-down boxes or piles of trash. Trash is either left outside in a bin or near your front door for disposal.

• No Hazardous Areas: We avoid cleaning areas that may pose health risks, such as rooms with excess dust, mold, or waste buildup beyond standard cleaning.

We kindly request that trash be placed in designated trash bins or areas, as we do not dispose of loose items. Similarly, we leave organized boxes and items for the client to handle as needed.

FAQs on Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning

1. How often should I get a deep cleaning?

Deep cleaning is typically recommended every 3-4 months or seasonally, depending on your home’s needs and lifestyle. Regular cleanings are ideal weekly or biweekly for maintenance.

2. Is deep cleaning the same as a move-out cleaning?

No, a move-out cleaning is for empty homes and focuses on every surface, including inside cabinets and appliances. It’s designed to prepare a home for new residents, while deep cleaning is more intensive than regular cleaning but usually done in an occupied home.

3. Can I add extra services to a regular cleaning?

Yes, you can! Services like fridge or oven cleaning, and interior window cleaning, can be added to either a regular or deep cleaning appointment. Just let us know in advance, as these require additional time.

Schedule Your Cleaning Today!

Whether you need a basic regular cleaning, a thorough deep clean, or a move-in/move-out service, CleanEffects is here to provide high-quality, reliable service.