Deep Cleaning Your Home: What It Includes, Cost and How Often
What a deep clean includes, cost, how often to do it and how it differs from a regular clean, move-in/out and post-renovation cleaning.
Quick answer: a deep clean goes well beyond a regular clean — it covers the areas and details you don't do every week (inside appliances, tiles and grout, skirting boards, behind furniture, windows and frames). It's ideal before a move, at the change of season or every 3 to 6 months, and it's usually charged by the hour. For a home, a housekeeper by the hour does this work.
What a deep clean includes (vs. a regular clean)
A regular clean keeps the home going day to day; a deep clean tackles what builds up over time. It normally includes:
Inside appliances (oven, microwave, fridge, extractor hood)
Tiles, grout and limescale areas in bathrooms and the kitchen
Skirting boards, doors, switches and handles
Behind and underneath furniture and appliances
Windows, frames, blinds and shutters
Dust on light fittings, high shelves and curtains
How often to do it
Every 3 to 6 months — for most homes, on top of the weekly regular clean.
At the change of season (spring/autumn) — the classic top-to-bottom clean.
Before or after a move, or before having guests.
How much it costs and how long it takes
A deep clean is normally charged by the hour and takes longer than a regular clean — from half a morning to a full day, depending on the size and condition of the home. Check current rates in the pay guide and run an estimate with the cost calculator. For day-to-day needs, see how many hours you need.
Note: rates vary by area, size and condition of the home; always agree a clear price before starting.
Move-in/out cleaning and post-renovation cleaning
These are particular cases of a top-to-bottom clean:
Move-in/out cleaning (moving in or out) — leaving the home spotless, often empty; a housekeeper by the hour does this work.
Post-renovation cleaning — after building work there's fine dust, paint residue and light debris. A detailed clean is possible with a professional by the hour, but big jobs with a lot of rubble or construction waste may need a specialist company.
How to prepare for a deep clean
Tidy up and clear surfaces before starting, so the time goes into cleaning.
Point out priority areas and anything needing special care (natural stone, wood, delicate appliances).
Make sure the right products and equipment are available (degreaser, limescale remover, vacuum, microfibre cloths).
Agree the estimated time and the price before starting.
👉 Find housekeepers for a deep clean near you here.
Conclusion
A deep clean complements the regular clean and keeps a home genuinely well looked after — ideal every few months, at the change of season or when you move. Define what's included, agree priorities and confirm the time and price before starting.
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FAQ
What does a deep clean include?
It goes beyond a regular clean: inside appliances (oven, fridge, extractor hood), tiles and grout, skirting boards and doors, behind and underneath furniture, windows and frames, and dust in high places. It's the classic top-to-bottom clean.
How much does a deep clean cost?
It's normally charged by the hour and takes longer than a regular clean. It depends on the size and condition of the home; ask for a clear price before starting and check rates in the pay guide and the cost calculator.
How often should I do a deep clean?
For most homes, every 3 to 6 months on top of the weekly regular clean — plus at the change of season, before a move or before having guests.
How long does a deep clean take?
Longer than a regular clean — from half a morning to a full day, depending on the size and condition of the home. Tidying and clearing surfaces beforehand speeds the work up.
Will a housekeeper do post-renovation cleaning?
A detailed clean after light building work is possible with a professional by the hour. Big jobs with a lot of rubble or construction waste may need a specialist company.