Deep cleaning checklist

A deep clean is the visit that gets to the build-up a standard clean skips. Many cleaning businesses require one before starting recurring service, so later visits start from a clean baseline. Because "deep clean" means different things to different people, a written checklist is the best way to agree on scope before you start.

When to recommend a deep clean

• A new client's first visit, before recurring service begins
• A home that hasn't been professionally cleaned in a long time
• Seasonal resets (spring cleaning, before the holidays)
• Before or after hosting, renovations or a long illness

Deep cleaning tasks by room

Everything on your standard checklist, plus the detail work below.

Kitchen

• Degrease cabinet fronts and handles
• Clean the range hood and filter (if removable)
• Wipe the tops of the fridge and cabinets
• Clean behind and beside the stove where reachable
• Detail the sink drain area and faucet base
• Inside the oven or fridge only if you list it as included or as an add-on

Bathrooms

• Scrub grout lines and remove soap scum
• Descale shower heads and faucets
• Clean the exhaust fan cover
• Wipe cabinet fronts and handles
• Detail behind the toilet and around the base

Whole home

• Hand-wipe baseboards, door frames and doors
• Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures and vent covers
• Wipe light switches and outlet covers
• Clean interior window sills and tracks
• Vacuum under furniture cushions and along edges
• Dust blinds

Set expectations in writing

Deep cleans take longer and cost more, and clients sometimes expect miracles. Before the visit, tell the client what's included, roughly how long it will take, and what isn't included. Common exclusions are wall washing, carpet shampooing, exterior windows and moving heavy furniture. A short note helps: "Some stains and hard water marks may not come out completely." It isn't an excuse. It's an honest statement that protects the relationship.

Worked example

A new client wants bi-weekly service. Your policy is that the first visit is a deep clean. You send the quote with the deep clean checklist attached and mark two add-ons the client chose: inside the oven and inside the fridge. On the day, your team works from the checklist, initials each section and leaves a copy. The client can see what the first visit covered, and future standard visits are faster because the build-up is gone.

How to price a deep clean

Many cleaners price deep cleans either as a multiple of their standard rate or from an estimate of hours times their hourly rate. Either way, base it on your own time and costs, not a number copied from another market. Track how long your deep cleans really take for a few weeks, then adjust. The quote calculator in our quote calculator guide shows one way to structure the math.

Tips for your team

• Work top to bottom, so dust falls onto areas you haven't cleaned yet.
• Do the slowest rooms (usually kitchen and bathrooms) first while energy is high.
• Leave floors for last in every room.
• Photograph any pre-existing damage before you start.

The Cleaning Checklists Pack includes an editable deep clean checklist, plus room-by-room, move-in/move-out and recurring visit checklists in DOCX, PDF and PNG.

Get the Cleaning Checklists Pack - $9

FAQ

How long does a deep clean take compared with a standard clean?

It varies by home and condition. Track your own times, since deep cleans usually take noticeably longer than a standard visit.

Should the first visit always be a deep clean?

Many cleaners require it before recurring service, but it is your policy to set. State it clearly in your quote.

What is not included in a deep clean?

That is up to you. Common exclusions are wall washing, carpet shampooing, exterior windows and moving heavy furniture. List them in writing.