Deep Clean vs Standard Clean — What's the Difference?

You know your home needs cleaning — but do you need a standard clean or a deep clean? It's a question we get asked a lot at Book the Cleaner, and the answer depends on a few things: when it was last cleaned, what's going on in your life, and how thorough you need it to be.

Here's the simple breakdown so you can pick the right service every time.

What a Standard Clean covers

A standard clean is maintenance. It keeps a home that's already reasonably clean in good shape. Think of it like brushing your teeth — you do it regularly to prevent buildup.

• Floors: Hoovering all carpets and rugs, mopping hard floors throughout
• Dusting: All surfaces, skirting boards, window sills, and accessible shelves
• Kitchen: Worktops, hob, sink, and outside of cupboards wiped down
• Bathroom: Toilet, shower, bath, sink, mirror, and tiles cleaned
• Finishing touches: Bins emptied, rooms tidied

Best for: Weekly or fortnightly upkeep. If your home is generally tidy and just needs a regular refresh, this is the one.

Time: About 2 hours | Price: £60

What a Deep Clean covers

A deep clean is a reset. It goes beyond the surface and tackles the buildup that happens over weeks and months. Think of it like a trip to the dentist — it catches what daily brushing misses.

• Everything in a standard clean, plus:
• Inside the oven: Door, racks, tray, and hob degreased
• Inside cupboards: Shelves and doors wiped inside
• Behind and underneath furniture: Beds, sofas, wardrobes moved and cleaned behind
• Fridge and freezer: Interior wiped, shelves and drawers cleaned
• Skirting boards and light switches: Every surface dusted and wiped
• Inside windows: Frames, sills, and tracks cleaned

Best for: First-time cleans, moving into a new home, spring cleaning, post-renovation, or when you haven't had a proper clean in a while.

Time: About 4 hours | Price: £120

How to choose

Your situationChoose You have a regular cleaner but need a top-up between visitsStandard clean You're moving into a new flat or houseDeep clean You've been busy and the flat needs a proper sort-outDeep clean You want a weekly or fortnightly clean to stay on top of thingsStandard clean It's been months since your last thorough cleanDeep clean You're moving out and need your deposit backEnd of tenancy (see our separate service)

Can I switch between them?

Absolutely. Many of our customers do a deep clean once (to reset the home) and then switch to a standard clean every week or fortnight to maintain it. You can book whichever you need, whenever you need it — no contracts, no fuss.

Still not sure?

Book a standard clean first. If your cleaner arrives and thinks a deep clean would be more appropriate, they'll let you know before they start. No pressure, no hidden charges.

Book your clean online — it takes two minutes and you can choose either service.