Short answer
A regular house cleaning usually covers dusting, kitchen counters and the outside of appliances, bathrooms, vacuuming and mopping, and emptying trash. Inside the oven and fridge, inside cabinets, baseboards in detail, blinds and interior windows are usually deep-clean or add-on work. Get the list in writing, because every company draws the line in a slightly different place.
If you've never hired a house cleaner, it's hard to know what you're actually getting. Every company says "full service" and "top to bottom" and means something a little different. Here is how house cleaning usually works, from people who do it, and what to ask before you book. Every company is different, including us, so get the list in writing.
A regular cleaning
A regular or recurring cleaning is the weekly, every-other-week or monthly visit that keeps a house in shape. It usually covers the surfaces you see and use every day.
Kitchen. Wipe counters and backsplash, clean the sink and faucet, wipe the outside of the fridge, dishwasher, microwave and stove, clean the stovetop, wipe cabinet fronts where they get grimy, take out the trash, and clean the floor.
Bathrooms. Clean the toilet, sink, tub and shower, mirrors and counters, wipe fixtures, and clean the floor.
Bedrooms and living areas. Dust reachable surfaces, wipe light switches and door handles, vacuum carpets and rugs, sweep and mop hard floors. Many crews make the beds, and some will change the sheets if clean ones are left out.
Whole house. Empty small trash cans and tidy up surfaces they're cleaning.
A deep cleaning
A deep cleaning includes everything above plus the build-up spots a regular visit skips. Our room-by-room deep cleaning checklist has the full list. The usual extras are baseboards and door frames in detail, ceiling fans and light fixtures, vent covers, blinds, window sills and tracks, grout, hard water on shower glass, and cleaning under furniture that can be moved.
Many companies start a new customer with a deep clean, then switch to regular visits. That's normal. A house that hasn't been professionally cleaned in a while needs a reset before a regular schedule can keep up.
Usually extra
These are often priced separately or only done on request:
- Inside the oven
- Inside the fridge and freezer
- Inside cabinets and drawers
- Interior windows, and exterior windows
- Washing walls
- Laundry and dishes
- Carpet or upholstery cleaning with a machine
- Garage, patio or balcony
What most cleaners won't do
This varies by company. A lot of cleaning crews won't handle the following, and it's better to know ahead of time.
- Heavy lifting. Moving pianos, dressers, full bookcases or appliances.
- High work. Anything that needs a tall extension ladder.
- Biohazards. Blood, large amounts of bodily fluids, or animal waste beyond normal pet messes usually need a specialty service.
- Mold remediation. A cleaner can wipe a little mildew in a shower. Mold growing in walls or ceilings is a different trade.
- Repairs. A cleaner can tell you a caulk line is failing but won't recaulk your tub.
- Personal papers. Most crews won't sort mail, bills or documents.
Specialty and heavy-duty cleaning, like hoarding cleanups, is its own kind of job and is quoted separately by the companies that do it.
How to get ready
Pick up, don't clean. You don't need to clean before the cleaners come. You do need to clear the way. Put away dishes, laundry, toys, mail and anything on the counters you don't want moved. The more surface the crew can reach, the more cleaning you get for your money.
Lock up the important stuff. Cash, jewelry, medication and personal documents should be put away. This is good practice with anyone working in your home.
Tell them about special surfaces. Marble, travertine or limestone counters, wood floors, antique furniture or a fingerprint-resistant fridge all need specific products. The Natural Stone Institute, for example, says acids like vinegar can etch calcium-based stone. A good crew will ask, and a good customer will tell them anyway.
Plan for pets. Some pets are fine with visitors. Others bolt out the open door. Crate them or put them in a closed room. The ASPCA says most cleaning products are safe around dogs and cats when used as the label directs, and that enzyme cleaners should dry before pets go back in the area.
Be there the first time. If you can, do a short walkthrough on the first visit. Point out what matters most to you. After that, most people go about their day or leave.
Questions to ask before you hire
- What exactly is included in a regular visit, and can I see it in writing?
- What's extra, and how is it priced?
- Are you insured? Ask for general liability and workers' compensation.
- Do you bring supplies, or do I provide them? Can you use products I choose?
- Will the same crew come each time?
- How do keys, codes and alarms work?
- What happens if something breaks?
- What happens if I'm not happy with part of the cleaning?
- What's your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
- Do you speak Spanish, or another language someone in my home speaks?
If you care about product ingredients, ask what they use. EPA's Safer Choice label means EPA scientists have reviewed every ingredient in the product against its criteria. It's one easy thing to look for on a bottle.
Cleaning vs disinfecting
Be careful with any company that promises to kill every germ in your house. CDC explains that cleaning removes most germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces with soap and water, and that disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs. CDC says disinfecting at home matters most when someone is sick or at higher risk of getting sick. A regular cleaning is a cleaning. If you need disinfecting, ask for it by name and ask what product will be used.
About tipping
Tipping is a personal choice, not a requirement. If you'd like to, a tip after a big job like a move-out, or around the holidays for a regular crew, is a common way to say thanks. Hand it to the crew directly so it reaches the people who did the work.
Common questions
What do house cleaners usually clean?
On a regular visit, most clean kitchens and bathrooms, dust reachable surfaces, vacuum and mop floors, and take out the trash. Many also make beds or change sheets if you leave clean ones out. Ask for the company's written checklist.
What do house cleaners not do?
It varies, but many won't move heavy furniture, climb tall ladders, clean up biohazards, handle mold remediation or clean outside the house. Inside appliances and cabinets are often extra. If it matters to you, ask before the first visit.
Should I clean before the cleaners come?
Pick up, don't clean. Put away clutter, dishes, laundry and personal papers so the crew can reach the surfaces you're paying to have cleaned. Lock up valuables and medication, and let them know about any delicate surfaces.
Should I tip my house cleaner?
Tipping is a personal choice, not a requirement. If you'd like to, a tip after a big job like a move-out or around the holidays is a common way to say thanks. Hand it to the crew directly so it reaches the people who did the work.
Is cleaning the same as disinfecting?
No. CDC explains that cleaning removes dirt and most germs with soap and water, while disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs. CDC says disinfecting at home matters most when someone is sick or at higher risk.
Rather have someone else do it?
V&V cleans homes across Dallas-Fort Worth. Free estimates, insured, se habla español.
Sources
- When and How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home (CDC, updated Jan 31, 2025) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Frequently Asked Questions on Safer Choice (U.S. EPA, updated Jun 8, 2026) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Poisonous household products and pets (ASPCA Animal Poison Control) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Learn About Cleaning Products for Natural Stone (Natural Stone Institute) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Room by Room Cleaning Guide (American Cleaning Institute) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)