Standard clean vs deep clean: what's the difference?
Short answer: A standard clean keeps the main areas in shape on a regular schedule: kitchen surfaces, bathrooms, floors and dusting. A deep clean adds the jobs your routine skips, like the inside of the oven and fridge, baseboards, window tracks and behind furniture.
Side by side
| Task | Standard | Deep |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen counters, stovetop, sink | Yes | Yes |
| Outside of appliances | Yes | Yes |
| Inside oven, fridge, cabinets | No | Usually |
| Toilet, sink, shower or tub | Yes | Yes, plus grout and descaling |
| Vacuum and mop floors | Yes | Yes, including under furniture |
| Dust surfaces you can reach | Yes | Yes, plus light fixtures and vents |
| Baseboards, door frames | Spot only | Yes |
| Window sills and tracks | No | Yes |
| How often | Weekly or every two weeks | Every 3–4 months, or before or after a move |
Get it in writing
Different cleaning companies use "standard," "regular," "deep" and "move-out" to mean different things. Before you book, ask for the task list in writing. It's the best way to avoid finding out afterwards that the oven wasn't included. You can use our deep cleaning checklist as a starting point.
Which one do you need?
If your home hasn't been properly cleaned in a couple of months, or it's your first visit with a new cleaner, start with a deep clean. After that, a standard clean every week or two keeps it there. Expect a deep clean to take roughly two to three times as long as a standard one, and to cost more to match.