Guide
Deep cleaning checklist
Everything a proper deep clean covers, room by room. Tick tasks off on your phone, or print it out or save it as a PDF.
Updated October 4, 2026 · By the Trade Pricing Control team · Where our prices come from
What is a deep clean?
A standard clean keeps a home tidy: dusting, vacuuming, mopping, wiping counters and cleaning bathrooms. A deep clean adds the detail work that builds up over months, like baseboards, doors, light fixtures, grout, and behind and under things. Most people deep clean once or twice a year, before a regular cleaning schedule starts, or before a move.
Tip: work top to bottom in each room (ceiling fans and light fixtures first, floors last), so dust falls onto surfaces you haven't cleaned yet.
Whole house: every room
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Bedrooms
Living and dining areas
Entry, laundry and stairs
Deep clean vs standard clean
| Task | Standard clean | Deep clean |
|---|---|---|
| Dust surfaces, vacuum, mop | Yes | Yes |
| Kitchen counters and appliance fronts | Yes | Yes |
| Bathrooms (toilet, sink, tub) | Yes | Yes, plus grout and soap scum |
| Baseboards, doors and switches | No | Yes |
| Light fixtures, fans and vents | No | Yes |
| Under and behind furniture | No | Yes |
| Inside oven, fridge and cabinets | No | Often as add-ons |
How long does a deep clean take?
A deep clean usually takes about twice as long as a standard clean, or longer if the home hasn't been cleaned in a while. Doing it yourself, plan on a full day for a typical family home, or split it over a weekend room by room.
What does a professional deep clean cost?
If you'd rather hire it out, here's what cleaners typically charge for a deep clean in 2026:
| Home size | Typical deep clean price |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bed, 1 bath | $90 – $110 |
| 2 bed / 2 bath | $135 – $195 |
| 3 bed / 2 bath | $180 – $280 |
| 4 bed / 3 bath | $200 – $400 |
| Per square foot | $0.11 – $0.30 |
Inside the oven, fridge and cabinets are usually priced as add-ons, at roughly $12 to $50 each. The house cleaning cost calculator adds them up for your home. Moving out? See the move-out cleaning cost calculator.
Run a cleaning business? Give this checklist to new customers so they can see exactly what a deep clean includes, and price it with the house cleaning calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What should a deep clean include?
Everything in a standard clean plus baseboards, doors and switches, light fixtures and fans, vents, blinds, grout and soap scum, and cleaning under and behind furniture. Inside the oven, fridge and cabinets are often included as add-ons.
How often should you deep clean your house?
Most homes get a deep clean once or twice a year, often in spring and before the holidays. Many cleaning companies also do a deep clean as the first visit before a regular schedule starts.
How much does a deep clean cost?
About $180 to $280 for a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home and $200 to $400 for a 4-bedroom, 3-bath home in 2026, or about $0.11 to $0.30 per square foot.
How long does a deep clean take?
Usually about twice as long as a standard clean. A professional team often finishes a typical home in one visit; doing it yourself can take a full day or a weekend.
What's the difference between a deep clean and a move-out clean?
A move-out clean is a deep clean of an empty home, so it usually also covers inside every cabinet, closet and appliance. It's often priced a little higher than a deep clean.