Short answer
A deep clean covers everything in a regular clean plus the build-up spots that get skipped week to week, like baseboards, inside the oven and fridge, cabinet fronts, grout, light fixtures, vents, window tracks and the floor under furniture. Work top to bottom and dry before wet, so you dust and vacuum before you mop.
A regular cleaning keeps a house in good shape. A deep cleaning gets it back there after a few months of real life. The two get mixed up a lot, so let's be clear about what a deep clean actually covers, then walk through it room by room.
Deep clean vs regular clean
| Regular clean | Deep clean | |
|---|---|---|
| Counters, sinks, toilets, tubs | Yes | Yes, plus scrubbing build-up |
| Dusting | Surfaces you can see | Plus fan blades, light fixtures, tops of cabinets and door frames |
| Floors | Vacuum and mop the open areas | Plus edges, corners and under furniture that can be moved |
| Kitchen appliances | Wipe the outside | Plus inside the oven, microwave and fridge |
| Bathrooms | Clean fixtures and mirrors | Plus grout, shower glass build-up, exhaust fan cover |
| Baseboards, doors, switches | Spot clean | Wipe them all |
| Blinds and window tracks | Not usually | Yes |
The American Cleaning Institute's room guide splits chores the same way, into routine tasks and deep cleaning tasks for each room. If your list has the right column on it, that's a deep clean.
Before you start
Pick up first. Cleaning around clutter takes twice as long. Get toys, mail, laundry and dishes put away before any spray comes out.
Gather what you need. Microfiber cloths, a vacuum with attachments, a mop, a step stool, a grout brush, a non-scratch sponge, gloves, a bucket and the cleaners you trust for each surface. Check what your floors and counters are made of before you pick products.
Work top to bottom. ACI's home seller tips suggest going top to bottom and left to right in each room. Dust falls. If you mop first and dust the ceiling fan after, you'll be mopping twice.
Dry before wet. Dust and vacuum before you wipe or mop. Water turns loose dust into mud.
Kitchen
The kitchen is usually where a deep clean takes the longest. ACI's deep cleaning list for the kitchen includes cleaning inside cabinets, deep cleaning the oven and fridge, washing the backsplash and degreasing the range hood and its filter.
- Dust the tops of the cabinets and the fridge
- Degrease the range hood and soak or wash its filter
- Clean inside the oven (our baking soda paste guide shows how)
- Steam-clean the microwave and wash the turntable
- Empty the fridge, wash the shelves and drawers, wipe the door seals
- Wipe cabinet fronts, handles and the insides of empty cabinets
- Wash the backsplash
- Clean the sink, faucet and the rubber splash guard in the disposal
- Wipe small appliances and the outside of the dishwasher
- Clean the stovetop and knobs
- Vacuum the toe kicks under the cabinets, then mop
Bathrooms
ACI's deep cleaning list for bathrooms covers scrubbing grout, descaling the showerhead and faucets, cleaning the medicine cabinet and the ventilation fan, and cleaning behind the toilet.
- Dust the exhaust fan cover and light fixtures
- Scrub grout (see our grout cleaner guide)
- Remove hard water and soap scum from shower glass, tub and fixtures
- Descale the showerhead and faucet aerators
- Clean the toilet top to bottom, including the base, the bolt caps and the floor behind it
- Empty and wipe the medicine cabinet and drawers
- Clean mirrors and wipe the vanity, including the front and handles
- Wash or replace the shower curtain liner and bath mats
- Wipe baseboards, door, frame and light switch
- Vacuum, then mop
After you're done, ACI suggests keeping shower doors and curtains open after each use so they dry and mildew has a harder time.
Living room and dining room
ACI's deep cleaning list here includes steam cleaning furniture and rugs, washing curtains and blinds, cleaning ceiling fans and baseboards, and moving furniture to clean underneath.
- Dust ceiling fan blades and light fixtures
- Dust or wash blinds, and vacuum or wash curtains per their care labels
- Wipe window sills and vacuum window tracks
- Dust shelves, frames, lamps and electronics with a dry cloth
- Vacuum upholstery and under the cushions
- Wipe baseboards, door frames, light switches and outlet covers
- Move light furniture and vacuum underneath
- Vacuum carpets and rugs slowly, then clean hard floors
Bedrooms
ACI's bedroom deep cleaning list covers vacuuming the mattress, cleaning under the bed, deep cleaning the closet, washing windows and blinds, and baseboards.
- Strip the bed and wash all bedding. ACI suggests washing blankets and bedspreads monthly.
- Vacuum the mattress
- Dust the ceiling fan, headboard and tops of dressers
- Clean under the bed
- Vacuum the closet floor and dust the shelves
- Wash windows and blinds
- Wipe baseboards, doors and switches
Whole house
These get skipped because they don't belong to one room.
- High-touch spots. CDC suggests cleaning light switches, doorknobs and countertops regularly. A deep clean is a good time to hit every one in the house, plus cabinet pulls, remotes and stair rails.
- Air vents and return grilles. Vacuum the dust off the covers.
- HVAC filter. EPA's guide to air cleaners says to replace HVAC filters about every 60 to 90 days, or sooner if they look dirty.
- Laundry room. The U.S. Fire Administration says to clean the dryer lint filter before and after each load and to clean the back of the dryer, where lint builds up.
- Entry. Wipe the front door, inside and out, and shake out or wash the mat.
Mistakes that cause damage
Soaking the baseboards. Many newer homes have MDF baseboards, which are pressed fiberboard. The IICRC warns that water and cleaning solution can make unsealed MDF swell, and the damage can't be fixed. Use a barely damp cloth and dry as you go.
Wet-mopping wood floors. The National Wood Flooring Association says wet mops and steam mops damage wood and its finish over time. Use a cleaner made for your floor's finish and a mop that's barely damp.
Using acids on stone. The Natural Stone Institute says lemon, vinegar and other acids can dull or etch marble, travertine, limestone and onyx. Use a neutral cleaner or mild dish soap on stone.
Mixing products. Deep cleans are when people get tempted to combine cleaners for more power. Don't. Our page on products you should never mix explains why.
How long it takes
Longer than most people expect, especially the first time. A house that hasn't had a deep clean in a year can take a full day or more for one person. Split it up if you need to. One weekend for the kitchen and baths, the next for bedrooms and living areas. Once it's done, a regular cleaning schedule keeps you from having to start over. Our house cleaning schedule shows what to do weekly, monthly and seasonally.
Common questions
What is included in a deep clean of a house?
Everything in a regular cleaning, plus the spots that build up over months. That usually means baseboards, door frames, inside the oven and fridge, cabinet fronts, grout, shower glass, light fixtures, ceiling fans, vent covers, blinds, window tracks and under furniture.
What is the difference between a deep clean and a regular clean?
A regular clean keeps a house in shape with the visible surfaces, like counters, sinks, toilets, floors and dusting. A deep clean goes after build-up in the places a regular clean skips, so it takes longer and usually happens a few times a year or before a move.
How often should you deep clean your house?
There's no official rule. Many households do it a few times a year, and before moving in or out, hosting a big event or listing the house. Homes with pets, allergies or a lot of foot traffic tend to need it more often.
What order should I deep clean in?
Top to bottom, and dry work before wet work. Dust ceiling fans and high shelves first, then wipe surfaces, then vacuum, then mop last. The American Cleaning Institute suggests working top to bottom, left to right, in each room.
Rather have someone else do it?
V&V cleans homes across Dallas-Fort Worth. Free estimates, insured, se habla español.
Sources
- Room by Room Cleaning Guide (American Cleaning Institute) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Clean House Tips for Home Sellers (American Cleaning Institute) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- When and How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home (CDC, updated Jan 31, 2025) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home (U.S. EPA) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Clothes Dryer Fire Safety flyer (U.S. Fire Administration) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Consumer Floor and Furnishings Care Information, tile, stone and grout (IICRC tip sheet) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Wood floor maintenance (National Wood Flooring Association) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Learn About Cleaning Products for Natural Stone (Natural Stone Institute) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)