Because “deep clean” means 42 different things depending on who you ask.
Basic Clean
What most people mean when they say “just a quick clean.” Covers visible surfaces like counters, floors, bathrooms, and often includes dusting and trash removal. Doesn’t usually include baseboards, inside appliances, or moving furniture.
Think: tidy, not transformative.
Deep Clean
The grown-up version of “company’s coming” mode.
Includes everything in a basic clean plus scrubbing baseboards, corners, high-touch grime spots, detailed dusting, and built-up dirt. Great for homes that haven’t been professionally cleaned in a while. If you haven’t seen the top of your fridge since Obama was in office, start here.
Move-Out / Move-In Clean
A deep clean’s overachieving cousin. Focuses on empty homes and includes inside all cabinets, drawers, closets, appliances, and any leftover ghost smudges. Designed to either impress your landlord or avoid moving into someone else’s crumbs.
Excessive Buildup
What happens when soap scum retires and opens a time-share.This refers to layers of gunk—think thick grease, months of hardened toothpaste, mineral deposits that could legally be declared geodes. It takes more time, tools, and arm strength to remove, so it’s priced differently.
Recurring Service
A subscription to less chaos. Scheduled cleanings on a regular basis (weekly, biweekly, monthly) to maintain cleanliness and reduce buildup. Often comes with discounted pricing and a special place in your cleaner’s heart.
Decluttering
Cleaning’s emotional support sibling. Helping organize and reduce excess belongings before or during cleaning. Can involve categorizing, sorting, and hauling away items. Not a judgment zone—just a “let’s make space again” process.
Disinfection
The part where we yeet the germs. Using EPA-approved products to kill viruses, bacteria, and other invisible threats on high-touch surfaces. Not all cleaning products disinfect, and not all disinfecting means wiping down your PlayStation with baby wipes.
Supplies Included / Not Included
Who’s bringing the soap to the party? Some cleaners bring their own products and tools. Others use what’s provided by the client. If you’re unsure, ask—because nobody wants to hunt for toilet bowl cleaner mid-job like it’s a side quest.
Green Cleaning
When you want things clean but also not smelling like a chemical war zone. Uses eco-friendly, often fragrance-free or non-toxic products. Great for homes with pets, kids, allergies, or noses that say “no thanks” to bleach clouds.
Estimate / Quote
What we base the price on before seeing the secret under your couch. Can be done online, over the phone, or in person. A good quote asks the right questions. A great quote also accounts for things you didn’t realize matter—like number of pets, level of buildup, or if you have 12 decorative pillows that need to be lifted individually.
Hoarding Clean / Heavy-Duty Clean
Not your average clean, and that’s okay.Involves significant clutter, trash, or health hazards. Can include coordination with other services. These cleans are handled with compassion, patience, and a good steamer (for both the cleaner and their trauma).
Add-Ons
Bonus quests that aren’t part of the main campaign.These may include:
- Inside fridge
- Inside oven
- Inside cabinets
- Laundry folding
- Wall washing
- Carpet shampooing
Each one takes extra time and may cost more—but they also make a big difference.
Time Cap / Hourly Limit
When we bring the timer like it’s Chopped: House Edition. Used for hourly jobs. We clean as much as we can within the time frame. Priorities are set in advance so your must-haves get done even if time runs out before everything’s spotless.
No-Show / Late Cancellation Fee
The cleaning equivalent of ghosting a first date after we already got dressed. A small fee if the appointment is missed without proper notice. Most cleaners set policies to protect their time, gas, and open slots that could’ve been booked by someone else.
P-Trap Cleaning
It’s not what it sounds like, but it’s just as gross. The curved pipe under your sink. Over time, it collects sludge, hair, mold, and unidentifiable goop. We clean it. You pretend you didn’t see what came out.