Regular, Deep, or Move-Out House Cleaning?

If you are hiring a house cleaner in San Diego, one of the first questions is what kind of cleaning you actually need. A regular clean, a deep clean and a move-out clean are different jobs, and they are priced and scoped differently. This guide explains the difference so you can describe your job clearly and compare house cleaning offers fairly.

What is a regular house cleaning?

A regular house cleaning, sometimes called a standard or maintenance clean, keeps a home that is already in decent shape. It usually covers the surfaces people touch and the floors people walk on every day.

• Dusting reachable surfaces and furniture
• Vacuuming carpets and rugs
• Mopping hard floors
• Cleaning and sanitizing bathrooms: toilets, showers, tubs and sinks
• Wiping kitchen counters, the sink and the outside of appliances
• Emptying trash

Scopes vary by provider, so always ask what is included before you accept an offer.

What is a deep cleaning?

A deep cleaning goes beyond the daily surfaces. It focuses on built-up dirt and the places a regular clean does not reach. People often book one when they first start using a cleaner, before a family visit, after a busy season, or when a home has not been cleaned in a while.

• Baseboards, door frames and window sills
• Inside the oven, microwave and sometimes the refrigerator
• Scrubbing grout, tile and shower walls
• Cabinet fronts and light switches
• Vents, ceiling fans and blinds

Because a deep clean is more detailed, providers usually scope and price it differently from a regular clean. Tell each provider which of these tasks you want.

What is a move-out cleaning?

A move-out cleaning, also called a move-in cleaning, prepares an empty home for the next person. It is similar to a deep clean, but the home is empty, so cleaners can reach cabinets, closets and floors fully. Many landlords and property managers have their own move-out requirements, so check your lease before you book.

Move-out cleaning checklist

• Kitchen: inside and outside of cabinets and drawers, oven, stovetop, refrigerator, microwave, sink and counters
• Bathrooms: toilet, shower or tub, grout, mirrors, sinks, cabinets and floors
• Bedrooms and living areas: closets, shelves, baseboards, windows, blinds and floors
• Whole home: light fixtures, switch plates, door frames, vents and trash removal

How often should a house be cleaned?

There is no single right schedule. Many households book recurring house cleaning weekly, every two weeks or monthly, and add a deep clean once in a while. The right rhythm depends on the size of your home, the number of people and pets, and how much time you want to spend cleaning yourself. Recurring service lets you work with the same provider each time.

Which cleaning do I need?

• Your home is already tidy and you want to keep it that way: regular cleaning
• It has been a long time since the last cleaning, or you are starting with a new cleaner: deep cleaning
• You are leaving a rental or preparing a home for new occupants: move-out cleaning

How to describe your job so offers are comparable

• Say which type of cleaning you want
• List the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and the approximate size of the home
• Mention pets, heavy buildup and any rooms that need extra attention
• List extras such as the oven, refrigerator, windows or blinds
• Say whether you want a one-time clean or recurring service

The more precisely you describe the job, the easier it is to compare offers on the same basis. For help judging what to look for in a provider, read our guide on how to choose a house cleaner in San Diego. For pricing, see what house cleaning costs in San Diego County.

Get house cleaning offers in San Diego

On Zipply you post your job once and providers send you offers, up to 5 per job. You pick the one you want. It is free to post. Post your house cleaning job, or see house cleaning in San Diego.