What Does a Deep Clean Include? A Complete Guide

by Modern Maids - March 16, 2025

Ever walked into a home and felt the air was just… lighter? That’s the magic of deep cleaning—a step beyond your regular cleaning routine. It’s not just about wiping down glass surfaces and dusting picture frames; it’s about removing deeply accumulated grime, allergens, and bacteria hiding in hard-to-reach areas.

A one-time deep cleaning can eliminate up to 99% of bacteria and viruses from surfaces, reducing indoor allergens by 50%. That means fewer dust mites, less pet hair, and a fresher, healthier space for you. Think of it as a fresh start for your home—one that scrubs away the invisible gunk your normal cleaning routine misses.

But what exactly is included in a deep clean? Buckle up—we’re about to break it down, room by room, so you know when, why, and how to give your home the detailed cleaning it truly deserves.

What Does a Deep Clean Include?

A deep house cleaning isn’t just about making your home look spotless—it’s about tackling all the dirt lurking in the places you don’t clean on a weekly basis.

From scrubbing shower doors to wiping down window sills, this type of cleaning ensures your home feels refreshed and truly germ-free.

Unlike standard cleaning, which focuses on surface-level tidiness, deep cleaning services dig deeper. Expect thorough dusting and wiping of hard-to-reach areas, including ceiling fans, door frames, and even refrigerator coils—the sneaky spots where dust loves to hide.

Floors aren’t just swept and mopped; vacuuming under furniture and targeting carpet cleaning for stubborn stains make a noticeable difference.

High-touch areas like light switches, remote controls, and trash cans get the full sanitization treatment. Even overlooked details, such as picture frames, window frames, and inside cabinets, get cleaned to remove dust and dirt buildup.

Did you know a one-time deep cleaning can improve indoor air quality by up to 50%? By eliminating pet hair, soap scum, and other gunk, your home becomes a healthier place to breathe.

And this is just the beginning. Next, we’ll walk through a room-by-room breakdown, giving you a clear picture of what a professional deep cleaning service covers.

Deep Cleaning Room-by-Room Breakdown

A close-up of a cleaning checklist being marked off, with a mop and cleaning supplies visible in the background.

Kitchen Deep Cleaning Tasks

Think about all the meals prepared in your kitchen—chopping, cooking, spills, and splatters. Now imagine the buildup left behind in hard-to-reach areas like refrigerator coils, kitchen appliances, and even cabinet corners.

Studies show that the kitchen sink harbors more bacteria than a toilet bowl, making deep cleaning essential for a germ-free space.

A thorough deep cleaning follows a top-down approach, ensuring that dust and grime from ceiling fans and light fixtures don’t land on already-cleaned surfaces.

Here’s what’s covered in a professional deep cleaning service for your kitchen:

  • Scrubbing and disinfecting countertops and backsplashes.
  • Cleaning inside and outside of kitchen appliances, including the oven, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher.
  • Removing grease buildup from stovetops and range hoods for a cleaner cooking space.
  • Sanitizing sinks and garbage disposals, eliminating hidden bacteria.
  • Organizing pantry and cabinets and wiping down shelves to prevent dust and dirt accumulation.
  • Washing floors, including under appliances, where crumbs and spills tend to collect.

Bathroom Deep Cleaning Tasks

A person cleaning a kitchen countertop with a spray bottle and cloth under natural light.

If there’s one place that demands a thorough cleaning, it’s the bathroom.

With over 200,000 bacteria per square inch, this space can quickly turn into a breeding ground for soap scum, mold, and other gunk. A quick wipe-down won’t cut it—deep cleaning requires scrubbing every surface to ensure a truly germ-free environment.

The real troublemakers? Tile grout and shower doors, where mildew and buildup love to hide. A proper deep cleaning process means scrubbing those lines until they’re fresh again.

Toilet bowls, sinks, tubs, and shower drains get fully disinfected, while mirrors, light fixtures, and exhaust fans are wiped down to remove dust and grime.

Even the small details matter—inside cabinets and drawers often collect dust and dirt, so they get a proper wipe-down too.

And if your shower liner has seen better days? Replacing it is the finishing touch to a fresh start in your bathroom.

Bedroom Deep Cleaning Tasks

There’s nothing quite like sinking into a tidy home at the end of the day, but if your bedroom isn’t part of your deep cleaning schedule, you might not be breathing as easily as you think.

Regular deep cleaning can reduce dust mites by 60%, making a huge difference for allergies and respiratory health.

If your idea of a sparkly dream home includes a restful, allergen-free space, it’s time to go beyond basic tidying.

Here’s how to give your bedroom the deep cleaning it deserves:

  • Launder all bedding, including pillows and comforters, to remove dust and dirt buildup.
  • Vacuum and flip the mattress to eliminate deeply accumulated allergens.
  • Dust and polish furniture, focusing on light fixtures and ceiling fans where dust collects.
  • Clean inside closets and drawers, decluttering items you no longer need.
  • Wash curtains, blinds, and windows, ensuring no pet hair, pollen, or grime lingers.

Living Room and Common Area Deep Cleaning

Your living room is the heart of your home—where movie nights unfold, family gathers, and lazy Sundays feel just right.

But while the space may feel cozy, your upholstered furniture could be hiding hundreds of thousands of dust mites, affecting air quality and respiratory health. A deep cleaning ensures that your home stays both inviting and allergen-free.

Here’s how to refresh your entire home’s shared spaces:

  • Vacuum and steam-clean upholstery to eliminate pet hair, stains, and built-up dust.
  • Clean and polish wooden furniture to restore its shine and remove fingerprints.
  • Dust and disinfect remote controls, electronics, and light fixtures, tackling high-touch areas.
  • Wipe down baseboards, walls, and light switches, removing fingerprints and smudges.
  • Declutter and organize bookshelves, entertainment units, and decor, making the space feel open and refreshed.

Additional Areas That Need Deep Cleaning

A close-up of a professional carpet cleaning process using a vacuum and cleaning tool on a bright blue carpet.

Deep cleaning doesn’t stop at the front door.

Your garage, storage areas, and outdoor spaces often accumulate the most dust, dirt, and other gunk, yet they’re the last places on a cleaning schedule. Giving them a proper refresh ensures every corner of your entire home stays in top shape.

Garage & Storage Spaces

Ever opened your garage only to wonder when it turned into a storage unit for everything you might need one day? It happens to the best of us.

A proper deep cleaning starts by emptying and sorting through items—because let’s be honest, if you haven’t used it in years, do you really need it?

  • Declutter and organize storage bins, keeping essentials within easy reach.
  • Sweep and power wash the floors, eliminating built-up dust and dirt.
  • Wipe down workbenches and shelving units, ensuring no deeply accumulated grime lingers.

A clean, well-organized garage or storage area doesn’t just free up space—it makes it easier to find what you actually use.

Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor areas take a beating from the elements, collecting up to 40% more pollen and dirt than indoor furniture.

That means your patio set might be harboring more than just memories of last summer’s barbecue.

  • Power wash patios, decks, and outdoor furniture, blasting away grime for a sparkly dream home feel.
  • Sweep driveways and walkways, keeping outdoor areas looking fresh.
  • Scrub down outdoor grills and fire pits, because a clean cooking space makes every barbecue better.

A little constant cleaning care for these often-overlooked areas makes a big difference—not just in looks, but in keeping your entire home truly germ-free and ready for anything.

How Often Should You Schedule a Deep Cleaning?

If deep cleaning feels like a once-in-a-blue-moon task, you’re not alone. Unlike scrubbing kitchen appliances or taking out trash cans, this isn’t something you need to do every weekend.

But waiting too long? That’s when deeply accumulated dust and bacteria start to take over.

The right cleaning schedule depends on your household:

  • Homes with pets or kids: Every 3-4 months—because between pet hair, snack crumbs, and sticky fingerprints, messes build up fast.
  • Standard households: Every 6 months, keep things fresh without letting grime settle in.
  • Allergy sufferers: Every 3 months cut down on allergens like dust mites and pollen.

A smart approach? Pair regular cleaning with scheduled one-time deep cleaning sessions. Studies show that deep cleaning just twice a year can reduce illness-causing bacteria by 40%, giving your home a cleaner, healthier feel.

A Cleaner Home, A Healthier You: The Power of Deep Cleaning

A truly tidy home isn’t just about what you can see—it’s about clearing out the dust and dirt you don’t notice. Deep cleaning ensures a healthier space by reducing allergens, eliminating bacteria, and tackling the hidden grime that builds up over time.

Whether it’s scrubbing shower doors, disinfecting toilet bowls, or vacuuming upholstery, a proper deep house cleaning does more than refresh—it protects your home and your health.

Why do it alone when you can leave the detailed cleaning to the pros? A professional cleaning company takes care of hard-to-reach areas, ensuring every inch of your space is spotless without the hassle.

Ready to ditch the dust and level up your home’s clean game? Schedule your one-time deep cleaning today and let us handle the mess—so you don’t have to. Book your expert cleaning now!Modern Maids