Not sure whether to book a regular clean or a full deep clean? Here's exactly what each covers, when each is appropriate, and what to expect from a professional deep cleaning service.
The terms "deep clean" and "regular clean" are used interchangeably online, which causes a lot of confusion when people try to book a service. They aren't the same thing — and booking the wrong one can mean paying for more than you need, or not getting results you expect.
Here's a clear breakdown of what each service covers, when to choose each, and what a professional deep clean actually involves.
What Is a Regular Cleaning Service?
A regular cleaning service — also called a maintenance clean or standard clean — is designed to keep a property that's already reasonably clean in good order. It covers:
- Vacuuming and mopping floors
- Dusting surfaces and furniture
- Cleaning bathrooms (toilets, sinks, shower surfaces)
- Wiping kitchen surfaces and hob
- Emptying bins
- Making beds (if linens are left out)
A regular clean assumes the property is in everyday condition — dishes done, clutter cleared, no built-up grime. It's what you book weekly or fortnightly to maintain a home. It doesn't tackle limescale, oven interiors, inside cupboards, or areas that haven't been cleaned in months.
What Is a Deep Clean?
A deep clean is a thorough, systematic clean of the entire property that addresses areas a regular clean skips. It's typically a one-off or periodic service, not a maintenance routine.
A deep clean covers everything in a regular clean, plus:
- Kitchen: Inside oven (degreased), inside cupboards and drawers, extractor fan filter, limescale on taps and sink, behind and under appliances
- Bathrooms: Full limescale removal from tiles, glass, showerhead, and taps; grout scrubbing; behind toilet
- Bedrooms and living areas: Skirting boards, architraves, light switches, plug sockets, door frames, top of wardrobes, inside wardrobes, window sills and tracks
- Throughout: Spot-cleaning walls and marks, cleaning light fittings, removing soap scum from all surfaces
A deep clean typically takes 2–3× longer than a regular clean for the same property.
When Do You Need a Deep Clean?
A deep clean is appropriate in several situations:
- Moving in: The previous occupants may have left the property cleaner than they realised, but a professional deep clean gives you a known baseline to start from
- Moving out / end of tenancy: Landlords and agents check to inventory standard — a regular clean won't pass
- After building work: Construction dust settles in every surface and crevice; a post-build clean is a specialist version of a deep clean
- Seasonal refresh: Many households do a full deep clean twice a year — spring and autumn
- Long gaps between regular cleaning: If a property hasn't been professionally cleaned in 6+ months, start with a deep clean before setting up a regular schedule
- Before events or viewings: A deep clean before letting agents photograph your property or before a significant gathering
How Much Does a Deep Clean Cost vs a Regular Clean?
In London, a regular cleaning visit for a 2-bedroom flat typically costs £70–£110 depending on frequency and provider. A deep clean of the same property ranges from £220 to £320. The difference reflects both the time and the specialist products required.
The value calculation is straightforward: a deep clean done properly restores a property to a standard that can then be maintained affordably with regular cleans. Done once every 6–12 months alongside fortnightly maintenance cleans, it's cost-effective.
Rinse London Deep Cleaning
Rinse London provides professional deep cleaning across Highgate, Hampstead, Highbury, Belsize Park, and Central London. Our teams are equipped with commercial-grade products and follow a comprehensive checklist — every area is covered, nothing is skipped. Call 07713 919033 or request a quote online.
