Deep Clean vs. Standard Clean: What's the Difference?

"Deep clean" gets used loosely. Here's exactly what it means at Little Nest Cleaning, and how to decide which one you need.

A Standard Clean maintains

A standard clean is what you get on a recurring schedule. It covers the surfaces you touch and see every day: counters, sinks, toilets, showers, mirrors, floors, dusting and trash. It's designed to keep a home at a level, not to bring it up to one. It takes roughly 2 to 3 hours for a 3-bedroom home.

A Deep Clean resets

A deep clean covers everything in a standard clean, then goes after the places that build up slowly and don't get touched in a maintenance visit:

• Baseboards and door frames, hand-wiped
• Light fixtures and ceiling fans
• Air vents and returns
• Blinds and window sills
• Shower tile and grout
• Cabinet and drawer fronts, fully wiped instead of spot-cleaned
• Walls spot-cleaned for fingerprints and scuffs

It takes roughly twice as long, which is why it costs more.

When you need a Deep Clean

• It's been more than a month or two since the last professional clean
• Before hosting, after a renovation, or after a long illness in the house
• Once or twice a year as a reset, even on a recurring schedule

Why start with a Deep Clean

If there's a lot of buildup, a standard clean spends most of its time catching up. A deep clean first resets the home, so your regular standard cleans keep it fresh. It's a recommendation, not a requirement: you can start with a Standard Clean anytime.

Our Deep Clean for a 3-bedroom home is $280. See the full checklist or book online.