A deep clean is required when a property has built up dirt, grime and dust that routine cleaning cannot address and needs to be reset. A standard house cleaning service is designed to maintain the condition of a property that is already presentable.
Booking a deep clean when a standard clean will do means overpaying unnecessarily. Booking a standard clean when a deep clean is needed means the provider cannot bring the property to an adequate standard within the scope of that service. Knowing the condition of your property is key to determining which one you need.
The Real Distinction
A standard cleaning service covers the floors and other accessible surfaces throughout the property, including the bathrooms and kitchen. A standard clean of a three-bedroom home normally takes 2 to 3 hours.
A deep cleaning service is more intensive. It covers the areas not addressed during routine cleaning, removes build-up, and restores the property to a condition where regular maintenance cleaning becomes effective again. A well-kept three-bedroom home may take 4 to 8 hours to deep clean, depending on its condition.
| Service | Standard Clean | Deep Clean |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Benchtops, splashback, sink, stovetop, external appliance surfaces, microwave | All of the above, plus the interiors of the oven, rangehood and cupboard fronts |
| Bathroom | Bath, basin, toilet, shower screen, mirror, bathroom accessories | All of the above, plus grout scrubbing, mineral descaling and exhaust fan |
| Floors and Surfaces | Vacuum and mop all floors, accessible surfaces dusted | Skirting boards, door frames, window tracks and behind accessible furniture |
| Best Suited For | Properties where routine cleans have been done | First clean after renovation, build-up cleaning, inspection cleans |
| Starting Price | From $186 GST inclusive | Higher than standard rate |
A standard clean is ideal when a property has been professionally cleaned within the last four to eight weeks and there is no noticeable build-up.
It is ideal when:
- You want an ongoing clean, fortnightly or weekly, on a maintained property
- You want to maintain the standard of a professional clean on a property
- You want a clean before a guest visits and the property does not require a deep clean
- You perform routine cleans between professional visits and the property is in satisfactory condition
For an explanation of what a standard clean covers and what it does not, see what a standard house clean includes.
When is a Deep Clean Necessary?
A standard clean is typically sufficient to maintain the usual condition of a property. It becomes inadequate in a number of circumstances.
When a property has not been professionally cleaned for several months, a standard clean will not address the build-up of grease, soil and dust. The standard scope fails to address accumulated build-up and therefore provides little improvement to the overall condition of the property. If the reset is a seasonal one, a room-by-room spring clean plan shows what to cover.
A standard clean will not meet the requirements of a final property inspection. A vacate clean or end of lease clean addresses the requirements of the tenancy agreement and the condition report, restoring the property to the standard it was in at the beginning of the tenancy. For a side-by-side look at what sets a vacate clean apart from an everyday house clean, see the comparison.
A standard clean will not address the requirements following the completion of renovations or construction. Standard cleaning does not address the build-up of paint, plaster or other construction debris.
A standard clean will not remove the build-up on grout that has turned brown, or other soil that will not shift with normal cleaning. Some tasks require more than speed and elbow grease. Mineral deposits and baked-on grease require pre-treatment chemistry that falls outside the scope of a standard clean.
What is Included in a Deep Clean Beyond a Regular Clean?
A deep clean will address the following:
- Inside the oven, including racks and cavity walls
- Degreasing the rangehood
- Scrubbing grout in bathrooms and wet areas
- Removing mineral deposits from shower heads and tapware
- Cleaning exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchen
- Cleaning door and window frames and tracks
- Cleaning ceiling fan blades and light fittings
- Cleaning air conditioning and ventilation vents
Urgent Pro’s cleaning service warranty sets out the scope of what each service covers and how the re-clean process applies. The service scope confirmed in the warranty is the scope agreed to at the time of booking.
Why Starting with a Deep Clean Often Makes Financial Sense
In most cases, it makes the most economic sense to start with a deep clean of a property, especially when there has been a long period between professional cleans. A deep clean sets a baseline for future standard cleans, which is far easier to maintain than trying to recover from significant build-up over time.
Providers spend considerable time during deep cleans removing soil that should have been addressed sooner. Time spent moving clutter is time not spent cleaning, which is why preparing your home before the provider arrives matters. By starting with a deep clean to reset the property, subsequent standard cleans are faster and more effective.
Many customers returning to professional cleaning after a break, or starting for the first time, begin with a deep clean followed by a regular fortnightly or monthly standard schedule. Standard cleans alone, without that initial reset, do not sufficiently address a property that has accumulated significant build-up. To understand what deep cleaning and standard cleaning cost in Australia, read what house cleaning costs in Australia.
How Pricing Works
Standard cleans are priced from $186 GST inclusive. The price for a deep clean on a three-bedroom home is higher than a standard clean due to the additional time and the chemistry required.
The factors that determine the cost of a deep clean include the condition of the wet areas, build-up in the oven, how long it has been since the property was last cleaned, and which areas require the most attention. Urgent Pro provides a fixed written quote before the clean. The quote gives the name of the service provider and is issued on confirmation of the booking. To learn more about the booking and quoting process, visit the how it works page.
For more information on the factors that determine price, visit the full pricing factor breakdown. Under the Australian Consumer Law, services must be performed with due care and skill. Urgent Pro addresses any omissions or defects in the service provided.
FAQs
Is a deep clean just a more thorough standard clean?
No. A deep clean covers a different set of tasks to a standard clean. It treats hard-to-reach areas where grime and dirt accumulate during normal use, such as exhaust fans and the interiors of appliances, which are deliberately excluded from a routine clean.
How often should I get a deep clean?
Deep cleaning is recommended every one to two years for most maintained homes. It is time for a deep clean when a standard clean no longer removes build-up in grout, edges and trimmings. A deep clean is also recommended as the first clean when starting a new regular house cleaning schedule.
Will a deep clean help me pass a rental inspection?
A deep clean does not meet the requirements for a rental vacate or end of lease clean. To meet those requirements, book a professional vacate or end of lease cleaning service specifically scoped to the condition report for your tenancy.
Will a provider do a deep clean if I request it during a standard house clean?
No. Urgent Pro ensures the right amount of time and the right crew are allocated for the booked service. Additional requests for oven cleaning, grout treatment or exhaust fan cleaning require a revised quote and prior approval before the day of service. Book the right service from the start.
Are both services offered at the same minimum price?
Both start from $186 GST inclusive. However, the time, scope and chemistry required for a deep clean on a standard home exceed that of a standard clean, and the quoted price for a deep clean will be higher. Urgent Pro always provides a fixed written quote before the service begins, with the provider’s name and ABN confirmed at the time of booking.