How often should I get a deep cleaning?

Many households deep clean a few times a year, with routine cleaning in between. Homes with pets, allergies or heavy traffic may need it more often.

Is a deep cleaning the same as a move-out cleaning?

They're similar, but a move-out cleaning is performed in an empty home and focuses on what landlords and buyers inspect, such as inside appliances and cabinets.

What Is Included in a Deep Cleaning? Room-by-Room Checklist

By 502 Star Cleaning Service · Published October 14, 2026

The short answer

A deep cleaning includes everything in a routine house cleaning plus detailed work on areas that build up grime over time: baseboards and trim, inside appliances, inside cabinets, grout and soap scum, vents, ceiling fans and light fixtures, and under or behind light furniture. It takes longer than a routine clean and is usually booked as a first-time clean or a periodic reset.

Kitchen

Countertops, backsplash and sink scrubbed and sanitized
Stovetop, burners or drip pans, and range hood degreased
Inside the oven and microwave (often listed as an add-on — confirm when booking)
Inside the refrigerator, with shelves and drawers wiped (if emptied)
Cabinet fronts and handles; inside empty cabinets and drawers
Appliance exteriors, including the tops of the refrigerator and cabinets
Floors cleaned along edges and under movable items

Bathrooms

Soap scum and hard-water spots scrubbed from tubs, showers and glass
Grout lines scrubbed
Toilets cleaned inside, outside and around the base
Vanities, sinks, fixtures and mirrors
Cabinet fronts; inside empty drawers
Exhaust fan covers dusted

Bedrooms and living areas

Baseboards, door frames, doors and window sills wiped by hand
Ceiling fans, light fixtures and reachable high corners dusted
Air vents and returns dusted
Light switches, outlets and handles cleaned
Under and behind light furniture vacuumed
Upholstered furniture vacuumed

What usually isn't included

Every company's checklist is different, so ask before booking. These items are commonly separate services or excluded:

Carpet shampooing or extraction (see carpet cleaning)
Exterior windows (see window cleaning)
Moving heavy furniture or appliances
Mold remediation, biohazards or pest cleanup
Repairing permanent damage such as etched glass or stained grout

How to prepare for a deep clean

Pick up clutter so surfaces and floors are accessible
Empty the refrigerator and cabinets you want cleaned inside
Point out delicate surfaces and any products you want avoided
Secure pets and valuables
Tell the company about the home's condition so the quote is accurate

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What Is Included in a Deep Cleaning?