Book a deep clean first if it’s a new company’s first visit, you’re moving in or out, or the home hasn’t been professionally cleaned in a while. Then switch to regular cleans to keep it up. If the house is already in good shape, a regular clean is enough.
Book a deep clean first if the home hasn’t been professionally cleaned in a while, you’re moving in or out, or it’s the company’s first visit. After that, regular cleans keep it there. If the place is already in decent shape and you just want help staying on top of it, start with a regular clean.
What’s the difference between a deep clean and a regular clean?
Every company draws the line a little differently, so always ask for the checklist. In general, a regular clean keeps up the surfaces you use every day. A deep clean goes after the build-up in the places a weekly clean skips.
| Task | Regular clean | Deep clean |
|---|---|---|
| Dusting reachable surfaces | Yes | Yes |
| Vacuuming and mopping floors | Yes | Yes, plus edges and under furniture they can move |
| Kitchen counters, sink, stovetop | Yes | Yes, plus cabinet fronts and backsplash grime |
| Bathrooms (toilet, tub, sink, mirror) | Yes | Yes, plus scrubbing grout and soap scum |
| Baseboards, door frames, light switches | Sometimes | Usually |
| Inside the oven or fridge | Usually an add-on | Often an add-on; ask |
| Inside cabinets and drawers | No | Usually only in empty homes |
| Blinds, vents, ceiling fans | Sometimes | Usually |
Deep cleans take longer, and most companies quote them separately from their regular rate. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.
When should I book a deep clean?
- The first visit with a new company. Many companies want a deep clean first so their regular visits start from a clean baseline.
- Moving out of an Indy rental. Read your lease for move-out cleaning requirements, book the clean for after the movers leave, and take dated photos of every room when it’s done.
- Moving in. An empty house is the easiest time to get inside cabinets, closets and appliances.
- Spring, after a winter with the windows shut, or before the holidays when you have people staying over.
- After a renovation, when dust has settled everywhere. Ask whether the company does post-construction cleans, since that’s often a separate service.
When is a regular clean enough?
If you or a previous cleaner have kept up with the house, a regular clean is usually all you need. Pick a rhythm that fits your house: weekly, every other week or monthly. A once-a-year deep clean on top of that catches what builds up over time.
What should I ask a cleaning company before I hire them?
- Are you insured? Ask for proof of liability insurance, in case something gets damaged.
- Are you bonded? Ask what the bond covers and how a claim works.
- Are your cleaners employees or independent contractors? It affects who is responsible if someone gets hurt in your home, so ask how they’re covered.
- Will the same people come each time?
- What’s on your deep clean checklist, and what costs extra? Ovens, fridges, inside windows and cabinets are the usual add-ons.
- Do you bring your own supplies, and what products do you use?
- What happens if I’m not happy with a room? Ask whether they come back and redo it.
Are cleaning products safe for kids and pets?
You can ask your cleaner to use products you’re comfortable with. The EPA’s Safer Choice label is a simple place to start. The EPA says the label helps shoppers identify products with safer chemical ingredients, and that it reviews every chemical ingredient in a certified product, not just the main ones. There is also a fragrance-free version of the label if scents bother anyone in the house. The EPA has a product search on its Safer Choice site.
For disinfectants, the EPA’s guidance is to follow the directions on the label, pre-clean dirty surfaces, leave the product wet for its full contact time, wear gloves, and wash your hands afterward. It also says to keep lids tightly closed and store products out of reach of children.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the same about storage. Keep cleaning supplies in a locked cabinet or box, out of kids’ reach, and keep household chemicals in their original child-resistant containers. If your cleaner leaves supplies at your house between visits, show them where they should go.
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Sources: U.S. EPA: Learn about the Safer Choice label; U.S. EPA: 6 Steps for Safe & Effective Disinfectant Use; CPSC: Poison Prevention Information Center. Checked November 2026.
