One of the most common questions I get asked as the owner of a cleaning company is, “What's the difference between a general cleaning and a deep cleaning?”
The answer isn't quite as straightforward as you might think. While there are some standard differences between the two, I believe the type of cleaning a home needs depends largely on its condition, how frequently it's maintained, and the habits of the people living there.
A home that gets cleaned every week has very different needs than one that hasn't had a thorough cleaning in several months.
What Is Considered a Deep Cleaning?
Generally speaking, a deep cleaning involves giving extra attention to areas that aren't always addressed during routine maintenance.
This typically includes:
Scrubbing baseboards and removing built-up dust and grime
Thoroughly scrubbing sinks, bathtubs, and showers
Cleaning interior windows, glass, and windowsills
Removing stubborn buildup from kitchen and bathroom surfaces
Giving extra attention to areas where dirt, grease, and soap scum have accumulated
The goal of a deep cleaning is to bring a home back to a level of cleanliness that can be maintained through regular upkeep.
But here's something I think is important to understand: a home that receives consistent general cleanings doesn't necessarily need frequent deep cleanings.
If your home is professionally cleaned every week or every two weeks, many of those so-called deep cleaning tasks are already being addressed before significant buildup has a chance to develop.
What About General Cleaning?
General cleaning is the routine maintenance that keeps a home looking and feeling clean.
It typically includes vacuuming, mopping, dusting, wiping down surfaces, cleaning bathrooms, and maintaining the kitchen.
However, I don't believe general cleaning should mean ignoring something simply because it isn't on a checklist.
At our company, we follow a philosophy I like to call “clean what's dirty.”
If we're performing a general cleaning and notice that your baseboards need attention, we'll clean them. If your kitchen sink needs a thorough scrub with Bar Keepers Friend to remove buildup, we'll take care of it.
We don't believe every small task that requires a little extra attention should automatically come with an additional charge.
Of course, there's a difference between addressing a few areas that need extra care and performing an extensive deep cleaning throughout an entire home. But our goal is always to respond to what your home actually needs, rather than rigidly following a list of tasks.
How I Approach Cleaning in My Own Home
I think my personal cleaning routine is a good example of how regular maintenance can minimize the need for major deep cleanings.
In my own apartment, I do a little cleaning every day. My daily routine typically includes:
Cleaning the litter box
Vacuuming
Wiping down kitchen counters and the stovetop
Washing dishes
Making my bed
Wiping down the bathroom counter
These are small tasks, but staying consistent with them makes a significant difference.
Then, about once a week, I set aside time for what I consider my own version of a deep cleaning. During this time, I'll scrub the shower and bathroom fixtures, mop the floors, thoroughly clean the stovetop and kitchen sink, polish the stainless steel, and wipe down tables and other surfaces.
Because I'm maintaining these areas regularly, they rarely require an excessive amount of scrubbing or effort.
The secret to keeping a clean home isn't necessarily cleaning harder. It's cleaning consistently.
And while not everyone has the time or desire to clean every day, the same principle applies to professional cleaning services.
So, Do You Actually Need a Deep Cleaning?
Not always!
If your home is already well-maintained and you're simply looking for help keeping up with routine household cleaning, a general cleaning may be all you need.
On the other hand, a deep cleaning is often a good starting point if:
Your home hasn't been professionally cleaned in several months
Soap scum, grease, or dust has accumulated in certain areas
You're preparing for guests or a special occasion
You're moving into or out of a home
You want to establish a clean foundation before beginning recurring services
It's also worth remembering that every household is different. A home with multiple pets, children, or heavy daily use may require more frequent attention to certain areas than a home with one occupant.
There's no universal schedule that works for everyone.
Our Approach: Cleaning Based on Your Home's Needs
At the end of the day, I believe a good cleaning service should be flexible.
A checklist can be helpful for maintaining consistency, but it shouldn't replace common sense or attention to detail.
At our company, we want our clients to feel confident that we're paying attention to their homes, not simply checking boxes and moving on to the next appointment.
Sometimes that means spending a little extra time scrubbing a sink. Other times, it means addressing dusty baseboards or giving an area more attention than it needed during the previous visit.
And when a home genuinely needs a more extensive deep cleaning, we'll be upfront about that, too.
Our philosophy is simple: clean what's dirty, maintain what's clean, and give every home the attention it deserves.
If you're looking for professional house cleaning in the Denver area and aren't sure whether your home needs a general or deep cleaning, we're always happy to help you determine which service makes the most sense.
