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CLEANING GUIDE 2026

Deep Cleaning Guide 2026

What's included, what it costs, and when it's worth hiring a professional.

Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning — What's the Difference?

Regular / Maintenance Cleaning

  • ✓ Vacuuming and mopping floors
  • ✓ Wiping down countertops and surfaces
  • ✓ Cleaning toilets, sinks, and tubs
  • ✓ Dusting furniture tops
  • ✓ Emptying trash
  • ✓ Cleaning mirrors and glass
  • ✗ Inside oven or refrigerator
  • ✗ Behind appliances
  • ✗ Baseboards and window tracks
Frequency: Weekly or bi-weekly

Deep Cleaning (Everything Above + More)

  • ✓ Inside oven, microwave, and fridge
  • ✓ Behind and under appliances
  • ✓ Scrubbing grout lines
  • ✓ Cleaning inside cabinets and drawers
  • ✓ Washing light fixtures and fans
  • ✓ Cleaning baseboards, door frames, and window tracks
  • ✓ Inside windows (interior)
  • ✓ Washing blinds and shutters
  • ✓ Sanitizing light switches and doorknobs
Frequency: Seasonally or 2x/year

Room-by-Room Deep Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen

  • ☐ Clean inside oven (remove racks, degrease)
  • ☐ Wipe inside microwave
  • ☐ Clean inside refrigerator and freezer
  • ☐ Degrease range hood and filter
  • ☐ Scrub sink and garbage disposal
  • ☐ Wipe cabinet faces and inside cabinets
  • ☐ Clean behind refrigerator and stove
  • ☐ Scrub tile backsplash and grout

Bathrooms

  • ☐ Scrub grout lines in tile and shower
  • ☐ Descale showerhead and faucets
  • ☐ Deep clean toilet (under rim, tank)
  • ☐ Clean inside medicine cabinet
  • ☐ Wipe exhaust fan cover
  • ☐ Clean caulking around tub
  • ☐ Wash bath mats and shower curtain

Bedrooms & Living Areas

  • ☐ Move furniture and vacuum underneath
  • ☐ Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures
  • ☐ Wipe all baseboards
  • ☐ Wash windows (inside)
  • ☐ Clean window tracks and sills
  • ☐ Dust blinds slat by slat
  • ☐ Clean door frames and handles
  • ☐ Vacuum mattress and flip if applicable

Whole Home

  • ☐ Sanitize all light switches
  • ☐ Clean air vents and return covers
  • ☐ Wipe walls and spot-clean scuffs
  • ☐ Clean inside closets
  • ☐ Launder curtains and drapes
  • ☐ Clean washer and dryer drums
  • ☐ Dust all artwork and picture frames

Average Deep Cleaning Costs — 2026

Home Size Deep Clean Cost Regular Clean Cost Time Required
Studio / 1BR (600 sq ft)$120–$180$70–$1002–3 hrs
2BR / 2BA (1,200 sq ft)$200–$280$110–$1503–5 hrs
3BR / 2BA (1,800 sq ft)$280–$380$150–$2005–7 hrs
4BR / 3BA (2,500 sq ft)$380–$520$200–$2807–9 hrs
Move-in / Move-out$250–$6005–10 hrs

Hire vs. DIY — When Each Makes Sense

Hire a Professional When...

  • ✓ Moving in or out of a home
  • ✓ Pre- or post-event (holiday hosting)
  • ✓ Post-renovation cleanup
  • ✓ No deep clean in over 6 months
  • ✓ Allergies or asthma in the household
  • ✓ Your time is worth more than the cost

DIY When...

  • ✓ You're on a tight budget
  • ✓ The home is relatively small
  • ✓ You maintain regular cleanings
  • ✓ You enjoy cleaning and have time
  • ✓ You have specific product preferences

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