What's Actually Included in a Professional Deep Clean vs. a Standard Clean?
Ever wondered what you're really paying for with a "deep clean"? This definitive guide breaks down the room-by-room differences between a standard maintenance clean and a restorative deep clean, helping you choose the right service for your Phoenix home.
In the world of professional home cleaning, the terms "standard clean" and "deep clean" are used frequently, but what they actually entail can feel like a mystery. You know a deep clean is more intense—and costs more—but what are you really getting for that extra investment? Is it just a more thorough version of a regular cleaning, or is it a completely different service?
Understanding this distinction is the key to choosing the right service for your home, your needs, and your budget. It’s the difference between maintaining a current level of cleanliness and performing a total reset on your living space.
As the trusted experts in solving Phoenix's toughest messes, we believe in total transparency. This guide will pull back the curtain and give you a definitive, room-by-room breakdown of what a standard clean accomplishes versus the transformative power of a true professional deep clean.
Part 1: The Standard Clean - The Maintenance Mission
A standard clean, often called a maintenance or recurring clean, is the service designed to keep a relatively clean home looking its best. Its mission is to tackle the weekly buildup of dust, germs, and clutter before it has a chance to become a bigger problem. Think of it as the essential upkeep that maintains a baseline of order and hygiene in your home.
The Standard Clean Checklist
This is the foundation of a professional cleaning service. It covers all the high-traffic areas and visible surfaces that get dirty during a typical week.
In the Kitchen:
Wipe Down All Exterior Surfaces: This includes countertops, the front of cabinets, and the exterior of all major appliances (refrigerator, oven, dishwasher).
Clean the Stovetop: Removing any recent spills or splatters from the cooktop.
Clean the Microwave: Wiping down the exterior and the interior turntable.
Clean and Polish the Sink: Scrubbing the sink basin and faucet to remove food particles and water spots.
Floors: Sweeping or vacuuming and mopping the floor to remove dust and crumbs.
Empty Trash: Removing the kitchen trash and replacing the liner.
In the Bathrooms:
Clean and Sanitize Toilets, Tubs, and Showers: Scrubbing all major fixtures to remove soap scum and germs.
Clean Sinks and Vanities: Wiping down countertops, sinks, and faucets.
Clean Mirrors: Wiping mirrors to a streak-free shine.
Floors: Sweeping or vacuuming and mopping the floor.
Empty Trash: Removing the bathroom trash and replacing the liner.
In Bedrooms & Living Areas:
Dust All Accessible Surfaces: This includes tables, shelves, desks, and entertainment centers. Cleaners will typically dust around objects.
Make Beds: Tidying up linens and arranging pillows.
Vacuum Carpets and Rugs: A thorough vacuuming of all carpeted areas.
Sweep and Mop Hard Floors: Cleaning all hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring.
Who Is a Standard Clean For?
A recurring standard clean is perfect for busy professionals, families with children, or anyone who wants to reclaim their weekends from routine chores. It’s for homes that are already in good condition and simply need a professional touch to maintain that "reliably clean" feeling week after week. It prevents the overwhelming buildup of dirt and dust, making your home a consistently pleasant and healthy environment.
Part 2: The Deep Clean - The Restoration Project
A deep clean is not maintenance; it's a restoration. This is the service you call for when your home needs a total reset. Its mission is to tackle the deep, often hidden, grime that accumulates over months or even years. It goes far beyond the surface to address the dirt, dust, and buildup that standard cleaning simply isn't designed to handle. It’s the service that makes a home feel brand new again.
The Deep Clean Difference: Going Beyond the Surface
A deep clean includes everything in a standard clean, but with a much higher level of detail and an expanded checklist of tasks that require more time, effort, and specialized techniques.
In the Kitchen:
Degreasing and Cleaning Cabinet Exteriors: Standard cleaning wipes cabinets; deep cleaning meticulously removes the sticky, greasy film that builds up from cooking.
Cleaning Appliance Interiors: This includes scrubbing the inside of the oven and the interior of the refrigerator.
Detailed Backsplash and Grout Cleaning: Removing built-up grease and food splatters from the backsplash, often including detailed grout work.
Cleaning Underneath and Behind Appliances: Where possible, light appliances are moved to clean the hidden spaces where crumbs and grime accumulate.
Detailed Sink and Faucet Cleaning: This includes descaling the faucet head to remove mineral buildup and scrubbing around the base and drains.
In the Bathrooms:
Intensive Soap Scum and Hard Water Stain Removal: This involves using specialized cleaners and significant elbow grease to scrub shower doors, tile, and fixtures until they are free of mineral deposits and soap scum.
Detailed Grout Scrubbing: Scrubbing the grout lines on the floor and in the shower to remove discoloration and mildew.
Cleaning Cabinet and Vanity Exteriors: Wiping down the fronts of all cabinets and drawers.
Cleaning Light Fixtures and Vents: Dusting and wiping down bathroom exhaust fans and vanity light fixtures.
In Bedrooms & Living Areas:
Wiping Down All Baseboards and Trim: One of the hallmarks of a deep clean is hand-wiping every baseboard, door frame, and window sill in the home.
Cleaning Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans: Dusting and wiping down all accessible light fixtures and fan blades.
Cleaning Interior Windows: Wiping down the inside of windows and their tracks.
Detailed Dusting: This includes moving items to dust underneath them, not just around them, and cleaning areas like the tops of door frames.
Cleaning Underneath Furniture: Where accessible, cleaning the floors underneath couches and other furniture.
Who Needs a Deep Clean?
A deep clean is recommended for several key situations:
As a First-Time Service: We always start new recurring clients with a deep clean to establish a high baseline of cleanliness that we can then easily maintain.
Seasonally: Many homeowners opt for a deep clean once or twice a year (e.g., "spring cleaning") to reset their home.
Before a Major Event: Hosting a holiday party or family gathering? A deep clean ensures your home is guest-ready.
After Moving In: To ensure your new space is sanitized and free from the previous occupants' grime.
The Arizona Reliably Clean Approach
Whether you need the consistent upkeep of our recurring service or the transformative power of a deep clean, our mission is the same: to solve your mess with professionalism and meticulous attention to detail. We provide a custom, flat-rate quote for every job because we know that every home is unique. Our insured, professional team is trained to execute these checklists to the highest standard, ensuring you receive the exact level of clean you expect and deserve.
Don't let the buildup overwhelm you. Whether you need to maintain your peace or restore your space, we have the solution.