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Deep Cleaning

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A top-to-bottom clean, including areas regular cleaning skips. Tell us about your deep cleaning project and we’ll help you find local cleaners who serve your area.

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A deep clean is a one-time, detailed clean aimed at the buildup a routine visit leaves behind: grease on the range hood, grime in tile grout, dust on top of door frames and light fixtures, crumbs under the fridge and residue inside cabinets. It takes longer than a regular clean because the crew works surface by surface, often on a step ladder or on hands and knees, instead of making a quick pass over what shows.

People book one to reset a home that hasn't had a thorough clean in months, before or after hosting, before putting a house on the market, after an illness in the household, or as the spring cleaning a long Canadian winter makes so welcome. Many cleaning companies also ask for a deep clean before starting recurring service, so the regular visits begin from a clean baseline.

This page explains what separates a deep clean from a regular one, when it's worth booking, how to disinfect high-touch surfaces properly, what cleaning can do about dust and dust mite allergies, how the fridge, oven and range hood are handled, and how to agree on a written checklist.

Deep cleaning vs regular cleaning: the areas a deep clean reaches

A regular clean keeps visible surfaces in order. A deep clean deals with what accumulates out of sight, which is why it's quoted on the condition of the home and not just its size. The longer since the last thorough clean, the longer this list takes.

  • Inside appliances: the oven, fridge, freezer and microwave, and on request the dishwasher filter and door seals.
  • Behind and under furniture: the couch, beds and lighter pieces moved so the floor underneath can be vacuumed and washed, then put back.
  • Baseboards, door frames and doors: wiped by hand along their full length, including the tops, where dust settles.
  • Grout and caulking: tile joints in the shower, backsplash and floors scrubbed with a brush, and soap scum removed from glass doors.
  • Light fixtures and ceiling fans: dust and insects cleared from globes and blades, with the power off and the bulbs cool.
  • Vents: supply and return grilles and the bathroom fan cover vacuumed or washed.
  • Cabinet and drawer interiors: emptied by you or the crew, as agreed, then wiped and dried before things go back in.

When to book a deep clean: spring, hosting, selling or after an illness

A deep clean isn't a weekly service; it's booked when the home needs a reset, and the right moment depends on the reason.

  • Spring: after a winter of closed windows, a running furnace and salt tracked in at every door, it's the traditional time to wash baseboards, vents, fixtures and inside windows. It's also the busiest season for cleaners, so book early.
  • Before or after hosting: a few days ahead, it readies the kitchen, bathrooms and guest room; afterward, it handles spills on floors and upholstery and heavily used bathrooms.
  • Before selling: book it before the listing photos, since photos and showings put kitchens and bathrooms under close scrutiny, then keep up with lighter cleans between showings.
  • After an illness: once everyone has recovered from a stomach bug, flu or cold, disinfecting high-touch surfaces and washing bedding and towels helps reset the home.
  • After renovation work: book a post-construction clean instead, which is designed for fine construction dust.

Disinfecting high-touch surfaces: DIN, contact time and cleaning first

Cleaning removes dirt and grease; disinfecting kills germs on a hard surface, and it works best on one that's already clean. In a deep clean, disinfecting focuses on the spots many hands touch: door handles, light switches, faucet handles, fridge and microwave handles, remotes, stair railings and toilet flush levers.

Health Canada says authorized hard-surface disinfectants display an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) on the label, and that the directions for use say how long the surface must stay visibly wet, known as the contact time. It also advises using only the recommended amount, with good ventilation, and checking the label for protective equipment such as rubber gloves. Never mix bleach with ammonia-based products or acids; the house cleaning page explains why.

  • Clean first, then disinfect: grime and grease shield germs from the product.
  • Use a fresh cloth, or a clean side of one, for each room, and keep bathroom cloths out of the kitchen.
  • Food-contact surfaces such as counters and cutting boards may need a rinse after disinfecting; the label says so.
  • Electronics, natural stone and some finishes can be damaged by disinfectants, so follow the manufacturer's care instructions.

Deep cleaning for allergies: dust, dust mites and bedding

As the carpet cleaning page notes, Health Canada says dust mites live in beds, carpets, furniture and anywhere dust collects, and recommends keeping relative humidity between 35 and 50% to limit them. A deep clean targets the places where dust settles and stays: high shelves, the tops of door frames, under beds, vents and curtains. Health Canada adds that children and toddlers are at greater risk from household dust, since they may swallow or inhale it during everyday activities.

  • A damp cloth and a damp mop, as Health Canada suggests, capture dust instead of stirring it back into the air like a dry duster.
  • A vacuum with a HEPA filter, which traps small particles, is worth asking for; Health Canada also mentions central vacuums vented outdoors.
  • Health Canada suggests washing linens in hot water weekly, so deep-clean day is a good time to wash pillow protectors, duvet covers and mattress pads too, following their care labels.
  • Curtains, upholstered furniture and other soft furnishings should be vacuumed, since they hold dust between cleanings.
  • Less clutter means fewer places for dust to settle, so clear shelves and surfaces beforehand if you want them dusted thoroughly.

Cleaning the fridge, oven and range hood during a deep clean

Appliances are where a deep clean earns its time, and where the wrong product or method does damage. A careful crew checks the manual, or asks you for it, and tells you before trying anything it isn't sure of.

  • Fridge: emptied, shelves and drawers removed and washed, the interior and door gaskets wiped, and spills under the crisper drawers cleaned; plan where the food goes meanwhile.
  • Freezer: defrosted beforehand if it isn't frost-free, following the manufacturer's instructions, so nobody is chipping ice.
  • Oven: racks soaked and scrubbed and the interior degreased with a product suited to the finish; oven cleaner is used only if the manual allows it, since some interiors, including self-cleaning ones, can be damaged.
  • Range hood: metal grease filters removed and degreased, or charcoal filters replaced as the manual directs, since many can't be washed; the hood and fan grille wiped down.
  • Stovetop and backsplash: burners, grates and knobs cleaned, glass or ceramic cooktops treated with a non-abrasive product, and grease removed from the wall behind the stove.

Deep cleaning checklist: putting the scope in writing

Deep cleaning means different things to different companies, and most disagreements come from an assumption nobody stated: that the oven was included, that the crew would empty the cabinets, that walls meant every wall. A checklist agreed in writing before the visit prevents that.

  • List the rooms and every included task, including appliances, cabinet interiors, walls and inside windows, and mark what's excluded.
  • Say who empties cupboards and closets, who moves furniture, and which heavy or fragile pieces stay put.
  • Send photos of the worst spots, such as the oven, shower grout or range hood, so the time estimate is realistic.
  • Point out surfaces that need care: natural stone, hardwood, stainless steel, antiques, or flat paint that marks when scrubbed.
  • Ask how long the crew expects to stay, how many people are coming, and what happens if the list isn't finished in that time.
  • Walk through the home at the end, checklist in hand, and ask how missed items are handled.

Deep Cleaning: frequently asked questions

How long does a deep clean take compared with a regular clean?

Longer, but how much longer depends on the size of the home, its condition and the checklist. Ask for an estimate based on photos or a walkthrough, and whether one person or a team will come.

Do I need to empty my cabinets and fridge before a deep clean?

Settle it in advance. Many companies ask you to do it, or bill the time to do it themselves, and you know best where things go back. Throw out expired food and let the freezer defrost if it needs it.

Is a deep clean worth it before selling a house?

Often, yes, because photos and showings magnify grime in kitchens and bathrooms. Book it before the listing photos, then lighter cleans before showings; your real estate broker can say which rooms matter most.

Should a deep clean disinfect every surface?

No. Most surfaces only need cleaning. Disinfect high-touch spots, bathrooms and food-prep areas, especially after an illness, using a product with a DIN and leaving it wet for the contact time on the label.

Can a deep clean get rid of mould?

Surface mildew on grout or caulking can often be cleaned. Mould that keeps coming back, covers a large area or is inside a wall points to a moisture problem, which calls for a mould specialist and a fix at the source.

Sources

  1. Always read and follow the label directions when using disinfectants, household cleaning products and bleaches — Health Canada
  2. Use household chemicals safely — Health Canada
  3. Dust and dust mites — Health Canada

Written by the LokalMatch editorial team. Last reviewed September 10, 2026.

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What affects the cost of deep cleaning

Prices depend on the details of your project. We only publish price ranges when they’re backed by real LokalMatch quote data or reliable sources. Until then, here’s what usually changes the price:

  • Size of the home and number of bathrooms
  • Type of clean: regular, deep, move-in or move-out
  • Current condition and how long since the last clean
  • How often you book
  • Extras like inside the oven, fridge, cabinets or windows
  • Pets, stairs and access

How to compare cleaners before you hire

  • Ask exactly what's included in a standard clean, a deep clean and a move-out clean, since each company defines them differently.
  • Check whether the company carries liability insurance and whether cleaners are employees or contractors.
  • Ask whether they bring their own supplies and equipment, and whether they can use products you prefer.
  • For recurring service, ask whether the same cleaner or team will usually come.
  • For specialty work like carpet, upholstery or pressure washing, choose someone with the right equipment for that job.

Questions to ask cleaners before you hire

  • What exactly is included in the clean you're quoting?
  • Do you bring your own supplies and equipment?
  • Are you insured if something is damaged or someone is hurt?
  • Will the same person or team come each time?
  • How do you handle keys, alarm codes and access to my home?
  • What happens if I'm not happy with part of the clean?

Deep cleaning permits and local rules

Some deep cleaning work needs a permit or has to meet local bylaws. Rules vary by municipality, so ask your pro whether a permit is needed and who will apply for it — and check with your city or town if you’re unsure.

Permits and licensing

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