Standard cleaning and deep cleaning are not the same service. They cover different surfaces, take different amounts of time, and cost different amounts of money. Here is how to tell which one your home needs.
The short answer
A standard cleaning keeps a home that is already clean at a maintenance level. Surfaces get dusted, floors get vacuumed and mopped, bathrooms and kitchens get sanitized, and trash goes out. That is it.
A deep cleaning resets a home. Baseboards get scrubbed. Behind and under appliances gets cleaned. Grout lines get attention. Vents and ceiling fans get wiped. Cabinet hardware gets polished. It is the kind of work that needs to happen every few months but does not need to happen every week.
What a standard cleaning includes
A standard cleaning in a 2,500 square foot Saint Johns home takes a two-person crew about 2 to 3 hours.
Kitchen
- Wipe down counters, table, stovetop, and outside of appliances
- Clean and shine sink and fixtures
- Spot-clean cabinet fronts where visible
- Sweep, vacuum, and mop the floor
- Take out trash
Bathrooms
- Scrub and sanitize toilets, sinks, tubs, and showers
- Wipe down counters and mirrors
- Spot-clean tile and fixtures
- Empty trash
- Sweep and mop floors
Bedrooms and living areas
- Dust horizontal surfaces and electronics
- Make beds (we do not change linens unless requested)
- Vacuum carpets and rugs
- Sweep and mop hard floors
That is a real cleaning. It is what keeps a home looking and feeling great between deeper resets.
What a deep cleaning adds
Everything in the standard cleaning, plus:
- Baseboards washed, not just dusted
- Behind and under refrigerator, stove, and other movable appliances
- Inside oven and microwave
- Inside refrigerator on request
- Range hood and stovetop knobs degreased
- Grout lines in bathrooms and kitchens scrubbed
- Vents, ceiling fans, and light fixtures wiped
- Cabinet exteriors fully wiped
- Door frames, switches, and outlets cleaned
- Shower glass treated with a heavier scale remover
A deep clean in the same 2,500 square foot home takes a two-person crew about 4 to 7 hours, depending on how long it has been since the last deep clean.
When to book a deep clean
Book a deep clean if any of these apply:
- It is your first cleaning with a new company. This sets a baseline.
- It has been more than 3 months since the home was professionally cleaned.
- You are moving in or moving out.
- You are listing the home or hosting an open house.
- The home has been through a major event (party, illness, renovation).
Most professional cleaners in St. Johns County, including us, will not start a recurring schedule without a deep clean first. Recurring cleanings keep a clean home clean. They are not built to catch up on months of buildup.
What it costs
| Service | Time (2,500 sqft home) | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Standard cleaning | 2 to 3 hours | $140 to $250 |
| Deep cleaning | 4 to 7 hours | $300 to $700 |
For a full breakdown, read our St. Johns County house cleaning cost guide.
Can you skip the deep clean?
You can ask, but a good cleaning company will tell you no. Skipping the deep clean means your first recurring visit will run long, miss things, or both. We would rather charge you fairly for the work the home actually needs than fail to deliver and lose your trust.
If you want to see exactly what a real deep clean covers, read our full 50-point deep cleaning checklist. For a timing estimate on your home, see our deep cleaning duration guide.
Ready to book?
We offer both standard recurring house cleaning and deep cleaning across Saint Johns, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, Saint Augustine, and Jacksonville. Tell us about your home and we will recommend the right starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I get a deep clean? Every 3 to 6 months for most homes. Heavier-traffic homes (kids, pets, allergies) often benefit from quarterly deep cleans. Lighter-traffic homes can stretch to twice a year.
Will a deep clean fix grout that has yellowed? Sometimes. Grout that is dirty cleans up. Grout that has stained or worn through often needs a sealer or color refresh, which is a separate job.
Do you use eco-friendly products for deep cleaning? Yes. Our products are non-toxic, pet- and family-safe, and effective enough to handle deep clean work. If you have specific allergies or product preferences, tell us before the visit. For grout specifically, we use a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide method we explain in our no-bleach grout cleaning guide.
Why do I need to clean my baseboards and vents so often in Florida? Florida humidity grows more biological dust than drier climates. Read our breakdown on how humidity wrecks indoor air quality for the full picture.
What spots usually get missed in regular cleaning? Seven specific spots that even careful homeowners skip. We covered all of them in 7 places you forgot to clean.