What is a deep house cleaning (and do you need one)?

Why deep cleaning is important.

Did you know your house could contain potential health hazards when it’s not cleaned properly? Culprits that cause health problems may include the following:

• Mold and mildew: Mold and mildew can cause or exacerbate allergy symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing and headaches.
• Dust: Dust can decrease air quality and trigger asthma and allergies.
• Germs and bacteria: Germs and bacteria like E. coli, salmonella and listeria can cause food-borne illnesses.

Pets, shoes, kids and visitors can introduce health hazards like these into your home. Even opening up screened windows can allow dirt and dust to filter in.

Dirt and grime may also decrease your home’s appearance and value over time. When issues like mold and mildew wear down surfaces, that could require costly repairs. And selling your home may be difficult if your appliances, flooring and other surfaces are damaged due to lack of cleaning.

If you haven't deep cleaned your home in a while, consider doing it yourself or hiring a pro for the task.

Related: 25 things in your home you (probably) forgot to clean.

Deep cleanings vs. regular cleanings.

Standard and deep house cleanings differ in two major ways:

1. Frequency.

Regular cleaning happens, well, regularly. Tasks like dusting, wiping surfaces and vacuuming should take place at least once a week. You may clean your house more often if you have pets that shed or children who create more messes and spills. 

On the other hand, a deep cleaning can take place less frequently, at least once every six months. 

2. Cleaning tasks.

Whether you DIY or hire a pro, standard house cleanings typically include just the basic cleaning tasks you're already familiar with: dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and wiping down services. Deep cleaning often goes beyond the surface level.

For example, a standard cleaning of your kitchen might include the following:

• Wiping down the counters
• Washing the dishes
• Sweeping and mopping the floors

When you're deep cleaning your kitchen, you might add the following tasks:

• Defrosting the freezer and cleaning it out
• Removing food from the fridge and wiping down the shelves
• Emptying your cabinets to wipe down those shelves, too
• Washing the inside and outside of your oven, dishwasher, microwave
• And the list goes on.

As you can see in the example above, deep cleaning your house involves more tasks. And tackling all of those tasks can be time-consuming and laboring. If you don't have the time and energy for deep cleaning, you can often find house cleaning services that offer it. You'll just need to make sure the professional you hire offers the deep cleaning services you want.

Related: Mistakes you’re making while cleaning your home.

What is included in a deep house cleaning?

The services included in a deep house cleaning will vary depending on the professional you hire. That's why it's important to ask many questions when you're contacting local house cleaners. You should also compare their deep cleaning services against one another to ensure you're getting everything you need.

With that said, here's a room-by-room list of deep house cleaning tasks that some professionals may offer:

Throughout the entire house, deep cleaning tasks sometimes include:

• Sanitizing trash cans, bins and waste baskets 
• Cleaning furniture and upholstery
• Cleaning window glass, sills, blinds and tracks
• Wiping down countertops and tabletops
• Disinfecting light switches and door handles 
• Cleaning vents and replacing filters
• Sweeping, mopping, scrubbing and vacuuming the floors and carpeting
• Dusting light fixtures, electronics, ceiling fans, shelves and tables
• Dusting and wiping down walls, baseboards, trim and molding

Kitchen deep cleaning services sometimes include tasks like the following:

• Descaling and cleaning the kitchen sink and faucet
• Cleaning the fridge/freezer interior and exterior 
• Detailed cleaning of window sills and hard-to-reach light fixtures
• Cleaning and scrubbing baseboards and grout
• Sanitizing and cleaning the trash bins
• Sweeping and mopping the kitchen floors
• Steam-cleaning kitchen appliances
• Wiping down all shelves and cleaning the interior and exterior of cabinets
• Removing everything (dishes, food, etc.) from shelves, cabinets, drawers, pantry, refrigerator and freezer to throw away and reorganize
• Cleaning inside and behind kitchen appliances, including the oven, stove, microwave and dishwasher

Deep cleaning the bathroom sometimes includes: 

• Wiping and scrubbing down the countertops 
• Sweeping, mopping and scrubbing the floors
• Cleaning the windows and wiping down the mirror
• Washing and wiping down shower curtains and doors 
• Scrubbing toilets to remove any spots or grime buildup 
• Cleaning the shower and tub, including the tile and grout
• Cleaning bathroom vents and hard-to-reach places
• Washing the toothbrush holder, soap dish and other bathroom accessories
• Removing toiletries from shelves and closets so that they can be organized or discarded if they’ve expired
• Descaling and scouring shower and bathtub fixtures and grout to prevent and remove mold, mildew and mineral deposit buildup

In bedrooms, a deep clean sometimes involves:

• Taking out clothes and trinkets from closets and drawers. The interior of each of these spaces may be wiped down. Then, the clothes and other items can be reorganized. 
• Vacuuming the carpet or sweeping/mopping the floors
• Dusting the nightstand, bookshelves and other flat surfaces
• Dusting and wiping ceiling fans and vents
• Cleaning windows, window tracks and window sills 
• Cleaning drape and window treatments
• Removing bed sheets, pillowcases and linen and washing them
• Flipping the mattress to help extend its lifespan. The mattress label or brand can provide guidelines. When a mattress is removed during a deep clean, that provides an opportunity to clean the bed frame, too.

In your family and living rooms, deep cleaning tasks sometimes include: 

• Dusting tables, shelves and frames that contain art and photos 
• Cleaning TVs, remote controls and the surrounding entertainment area
• Moving furniture to clean the walls and surfaces behind and under them 
• Cleaning the window sills and window tracks
• Dusting light fixtures and ceiling fans
• Dusting and wiping down baseboards, trim and molding
• Cleaning upholstery and furniture, including the couch, chairs and curtains 

Laundry room deep cleaning tasks sometimes include:

• Cleaning the inside and outside of your washing machine and dryer
• Sweeping and mopping the floors
• Cleaning the sink and faucet
• Wiping down all counters and inside your cabinets

Related: Here's your step-by-step house cleaning checklist.

How often should a house be deep cleaned?

It’s recommended that you deep clean your home at least twice a year (once every six months or so). You could opt for spring and fall cleaning as a way to keep track.

However, there are other scenarios where you might want to book deep cleaning services:

• You’re hosting a special event at your home.
• You're having guests stay over for several days.
• You notice a large amount of dust on your ceiling fans, light fixtures and other areas.
• You're sneezing more often than usual (likely due to too much dust)
• You suspect you may have mildew inside your home.
• You smell funky odors in and around your home that won't go away after a regular cleaning.

Related: The only spring cleaning checklist you’ll ever need.

How much do deep house cleaning services cost?

Deep house cleaning costs will vary depending on the professional you hire. Your home's size, the specific services you need and many other factors can drive prices up or down.

Figure out how much deep cleaning services near you cost by requesting free cost estimates from several house cleaners.

Related: How much does house cleaning cost?

Find deep house cleaning services on Thumbtack.

There’s nothing that compares to the look, feel and fresh scent of a home that’s been through a deep cleaning. If you don't want to DIY this task, download Thumbtack and hire a deep house cleaning service near you.

FAQs.

What is the difference between deep cleaning and spring cleaning?

That depends on the level of detail you put into spring cleaning. Many people choose spring cleaning as a time to do a deep house cleaning, so there might not be many differences.

How do you prepare for a deep house cleaning?

To make deep cleaning quicker and easier for house cleaners, it helps to clear the space. That might mean sending kids, pets and others in your home to a different location, and getting rid of clutter. If you have any special instructions or needs, communicate those to the house cleaner verbally or via written instructions. Some people also choose to store valuables or important documents somewhere safe during a house cleaning. 

Please note: This article lists some tasks that might be included in a deep house cleaning when you hire a professional. However, pros vary in what they consider to be a deep clean. Make sure you always ask your pro what's included in a deep house cleaning before you hire.

A note about project costs included or linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time