What Is Included In A Basic House Cleaning?

It be difficult to define what exactly a “standard” interior house cleaning entails, because different companies will offer different services. In general, though, when it comes to regular cleaning versus deep cleaning, it may be helpful to think of a standard cleaning as tackling new dirt and a deep cleaning as tackling old dirt.

“Most clients receive a first-time ‘initial’ clean that addresses all the old dirt that has accumulated through the years to get the house at a ‘maintenance’ level,” says Brian LeBlanc, owner of LeBlanc Cleaning in Mesa, Arizona. That initial clean can take two to four times longer than a maintenance visit and would be more likely charged as a “deep clean” since everything needs to be wiped down by hand.

A recurring clean, on the other hand, doesn’t require as much scrubbing “since we are only addressing new dirt accumulated from our last visit,” says LeBlanc. A general cleaning is more about tidying and upkeep.

A standard interior house cleaning shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all service. Therefore, it’s important to ask any company you are considering what is included with its fee.

“Work with a company that works with you to create a customized cleaning plan tailored to your budget and specific needs, from the tasks you want completed to the frequency of service,” says Mock.

Still, customization aside, on a basic level there are some things you can reasonably expect will be included in a recurring general cleaning package. The idea is to maintain a high level of cleanliness on a regular basis such that build-up doesn’t have a chance to happen.

Here’s what will likely be cleaned, scrubbed, dusted or polished in each room of the house during a basic session.

Standard Kitchen Cleaning

The kitchen is one of the most high-traffic areas of any home, so it usually needs a lot of attention. Here is what most cleaning services will do in the kitchen area:

• Damp wiping all countertops and exterior cupboards/drawers
• Sanitizing and wiping down all appliance exteriors
• Detailing, scrubbing and sanitizing microwave inside and out
• Cleaning stovetop, range hood and drip pans
• Scrubbing and sanitizing sinks and backsplash
• Dusting or wiping down chairs, tables and baseboards
• Mopping, sweeping or vacuuming floors and shaking out any area kitchen rugs
• Emptying trash cans and relining receptacles with clean bags

Standard Bathroom Cleaning

If you want to talk about germs, look no further than the bathroom. It’s really important to keep this area of the house spic-and-span. Standard bathroom cleaning tasks should include:

• Scrubbing, sanitizing and polishing sinks/faucets
• Cleaning and sanitizing tubs/showers
• Disinfecting, brushing and sanitizing toilet (inside and out)
• Washing and wiping countertops/vanity
• Shining mirrors and dusting light fixtures
• Emptying trash cans
• Mopping/vacuuming floors and shaking out bathmats

Standard Bedroom Cleaning

Most people spend at least seven to nine hours a night in their bedrooms (if they’re following National Sleep Foundation recommendations), so it’s important to keep everything clean and comfortable. A cleaning service will tackle these bedroom tasks:

• Dusting doors, furniture, decor, lamps and window treatments
• Cleaning mirrors
• Removing trash
• Vacuuming floors
• Making bed(s)*

*Some services will change linens if clean sheets are set out

Standard Living Room Cleaning

The living room is where family and guests tend to gather so you want it spotless—especially if people show up unannounced. Here’s what should be tidied up with a basic cleaning:

• Dusting and cleaning tables, lampshades, baseboards
• Disinfecting remotes and other electronics
• Cleaning wood and glass surfaces
• Vacuuming carpets/cleaning floors
• Fluffing cushions and cleaning underneath the couch

Other Standard Cleaning Tasks

• Removing cobwebs
• Lightly dusting plants
• Cleaning ceiling fans and dusting air vents
• Feather dusting blinds/shutters

While it might be nice to think that a cleaning service would literally wave a magic wand to organize your entire house, there are some things that definitely carry an extra charge (if a service will take care of them at all).
While this once again varies by company, some things that are generally not part of a standard house cleaning (but may be added on at a cost or part of deep cleaning) include:

• Stripping the bed, washing, and changing sheets/other bed linens
• Washing and drying laundry/clothes
• Doing dishes or loading/unloading the dishwasher
• Steaming carpets or floors
• Scrubbing inside the oven or refrigerator
• Organizing cupboards or closets
• Washing windows or sliding glass doors
• Cleaning anything in the garage
• Washing walls

Getting ready for a standard interior house cleaning is like setting the scene for clean.

“Do a general pick up—just get any toys or clothing out of the way so the professional house cleaners can get to scrubbing,” says Kathy Cohoon, operations manager at Two Maids. “When things are a little more organized it’s easier to really tackle grime or dust instead of spending time picking things up.”

In other words, if you have clutter, remove as much of it as you can to provide your cleaner access to the dirt that has accumulated on the surfaces of your home. Also, make sure pets and children are out of the way. But don’t feel like you have to scrub everything beforehand.

“Many homeowners are self-conscious about inviting a stranger to come clean the most private enclaves of their home, and some will go so far as to clean ahead of their cleaners so as not to be judged for their living habits or standards, but I can assure you, an experienced house cleaner has seen it all,” says LeBlanc.

The fee for hiring a professional house cleaning service depends on a variety of factors.

“Cost is generally correlated with your home’s total square footage, how many people live there, the date of the last professional cleaning, and if you have any pets,” says LeBlanc. “All of these are factors that contribute to dirt in a home.”

Cohoon says that the most commonly used average bi-weekly recurring price is $160, with a deep cleaning averaging $400 to $500.

If you can work it into your budget, a professional cleaning can definitely be worth the extra expense.

“Regular cleaning provides peace of mind—from reducing allergy symptoms by preventing the build-up of dust and other allergens to reducing the risk of set-in stains from food, mold and hard water,” says Mock. “Plus, it gives you more time to spend with friends and family and reduces the anxiety when you receive unexpected visitors.”

If you’re a cleaning novice or have a hard time keeping up with your cleaning tasks, you may want to hire a professional cleaning company. If you enjoy cleaning, you may still want to consider a cleaning service for busy seasons or to help with deep cleaning.

LeBlanc encourages any homeowner looking into a professional cleaning service to do plenty of research.

You should know the type of cleaning service as well as their online reputation, at the very least.

LeBlanc says there are three main types of companies: sole proprietors, local family-owned businesses and franchises or chains. All may have their positives or negatives depending on your needs, but you definitely want to make sure they’re legit, which means checking reviews and asking for testimonials.

It’s also good to ask if they have general liability for their employees so you’re not held responsible if your professional house cleaner gets injured while cleaning your property.

If you want to make sure your things are protected, definitely look for a company that is licensed and bonded. This is like adding an extra layer of security in case something is broken while things are being cleaned.

“I also suggest leaving any special instructions when needed,” says Cohoon. For example, if you have delicate China passed down from your grandmother that you would rather not have someone handle? Leave a quick note that your professional house cleaner doesn’t need to worry about dusting that area or removing items, says Cohoon.

Another thing to ask about is supplies, meaning will they bring them or are you responsible for providing them? “Also decide if you want your cleaner to use your vacuum or bring their own,” suggests LeBlanc. “If they use their own, ask if they clean and sanitize it between homes.”

Finally, before booking your cleaning, check the website or ask the manager about company tipping policies just so you’re clear. While it’s generally never “required,” when it’s allowed tipping can be a nice gesture if warranted.

“Tipping is like adding a little extra magic for your house cleaners since it shows your appreciation for their dedication and hard work,” says Cohoon.