Deep Cleans

Most homes that I clean are 'surface clean'. The counters are wiped, the toilet is wiped, the floors have been hoovered or swept..... But deep cleaning is not those things. A deep clean is a longer and more thorough service, great for those who have never had a cleaner before or have neglected certain areas over a period of time. They take longer to complete and are a deep scrub clean of all areas including kitchens, bathrooms, floors, tiles, grout, blinds, windows, frames, crevices, cupboard fronts, limescale removal, woodwork, plugs, drains, etc. Deep cleans are generally completed before setting up a regular clean to bring the property up to the highest possible maintainable standard, either weekly, fortnightly or monthly. When complete, you are left with a blank canvas in terms of cleanliness. Deep cleaning is very different to a general clean, as surfaces have often been left for a while and a once over wipe will just not cut it. The products need time to work (dwell) and often an area will need going over 3-4 times to get the end result.

Deep cleans take longer and use more product but are extremely satisfying. Deep cleaning can also involve a lot of moving of items that themselves need cleaning as you would never put something dirty back onto an area you have just cleaned. No two deep cleans are the same. I have cleaned two identical houses on the same new build estate and spent double the time cleaning in one than the other. The size and layout of a property is always a great starting point for me to offer my recommended timed package, but what I then do with that time during the clean will vary between homes. One home might have three kids, one might have a husband who's a tradesman, one might have two dogs and a cat, one may have had three months of building work done, one might be a shoes-off house..... The list goes on! Deep cleaning is a fine art and takes skills, experience and knowledge to complete to a high standard.

What are the benefits of a deep clean?

• Eliminates harmful germs and bacteria that can cause illness

• Removes stubborn and unsightly build-up, stains and odours, leaving your home looking and smelling fresh and clean

• Improves indoor air quality by removing dust, pollen and other allergens/pollutants

• Reduces the risk of allergies and respiratory problems

• Prevents build-up and prolongs the life of your carpets, upholstery and other surfaces

• Removes pet hair and dander, making your home more comfortable for pets and people alike

• Enhances the appearance of your home by restoring surfaces to their original condition

• Saves you time and energy, allowing you to focus on other important things

• Creates a healthier living environment for you and your family

• Increases the value of your home by maintaining its cleanliness and upkeep

• Improves mental health and reduces stress

• Saves you money on replacing items like taps, shower screens, extractor fans, etc

I have a policy where all client's homes have an intensive deep clean prior to regular cleans, ensuring maximum attention to detail and including all of those small nooks and crannies that very often get forgotten. I do this simply because when you pay someone to clean your house, you expect it to be spotless. However cleaning takes time and especially to a detailed level. But I want my client's homes to look their absolute best every time I come, and I just can't physically do that without the right amount of time dedicated to an initial deep clean to bring it up to a maintainable standard. However deep cleans can take 12+ hours to complete and I realise that's just not conceivable as an expense for a lot of people. And I get that! I don't want to force people to be out of pocket, it's simply not me. So I offer any new, regular clients a service where I will do a regular clean but concentrate on deeper cleaning in specific rooms rather than the whole house. This way the house is perfect a few weeks down the line rather than everything in one swoop but is a more affordable and budget friendly option. But of course if they have the budget and want an initial deep clean of the whole house, I can accommodate that too.

There are many 'surface clean' homes. Those homes that I could walk in to and say the classic line "it's not that dirty" but then go on to spend 10-15 hours deep cleaning the same home. That isn't excessive and really isn't a huge amount of time, nor does it mean your house is filthy. But I take lots of photos during the process, as often I will spend my time cleaning things you didn't even know were dirty. Although you might not see such dirt, it's still important to clean it. For example, if your shower plug is covered in thick grime and hair, it will make your shower drain slower and will mean that your shower tray will have sitting water for longer than usual, resulting in water marks, limescale and odours. Another example is dust that has built up in areas that are frequently missed such as blinds, ceilings and woodwork. This can fall back on areas you've cleaned. And if windows are your priority, these take time and precision - especially if the frames and tracks needs cleaning too. A window might normally be dressed with blinds or curtains, but when I lift these up, I will often find dust, black mould, handprints, dog nose marks and more. It's important to clean this grime away! Many people spend a lot of money on blinds and shutters and therefore want them to be cleaned during their deep clean, another hugely time consuming job when done correctly and safely. Specifically on kitchen and bathroom blinds, where it may just look like dust but it won't be. Blinds within these rooms will be sticky and the dust will need scrubbing off due to being captured by condensation, grease and moisture build up.

My one-off deep cleans are for those who can keep on top of their general cleaning but every now and then, want a really thorough clean throughout the house. This might include skirting boards, door frames, kitchen cupboards, windows and frames, moving smaller furniture to clean behind, etc. These are booked on an ad-hoc basis and are subject to availability. I pride myself on tailoring each deep clean to your home, after all they are not all the same and neither are you. This does mean they are by quotation only but I can give you a guide price and it's a great chance to meet me face to face and discuss your exact requirements. I will always talk to you first in detail about your priorities and areas of focus and if you don't have any, I will use my professional judgement. As long as it's safe to do so, I clean anything and everything.

Deep cleans are much more time consuming and in depth, so my timed deep clean packages range from 6 hours to upwards of 20 hours. There is no magic clock to speed up deep cleaning and if a home has become a little neglected, it will take time and patience to restore. Really bad build-up can cause long lasting damage and sometimes despite your best efforts, it's just not possible to clean to perfection. The smaller packages don't mean that you won't see great results and the large packages don't mean that you're living in shameful conditions. Everyone's circumstances are different and I am not here to judge you! Following this, a detailed written quotation will be produced to ensure everything is covered.

Booking a professional deep clean doesn't require commitment to an ongoing slot. You may just need a full house reset to put you back to a good starting point, allowing you to feel ready to maintain it yourself again. It's never as bad as you think and the amount of mental relief you will feel from even my minimum package can be life changing. When it's our own space, we build it up in our heads to be a much worse situation than it really is! I use professional grade products to give you confidence and assurance that your home is hygienic as well as shiny. Don't be afraid to ask me any questions prior to booking - I will always be open, honest and realistic with expectations. Why do deep cleans cost a lot more than standard cleans? Because more equipment is used, more products are used, they are more time consuming, extremely thorough and a full day (or more) is spent cleaning every inch of your home (even the places you don't see/realise need cleaning). Exceptional cleaning is all about the small details - the areas around the edge, behind, underneath - the areas so easily forgotten or missed when a quick clean is done.

Deep cleans are also ideal for those thinking about selling their home. A clean home means more value and more money for you. A clean looking home will sell more on the market and interested buyers will take notice of how welcoming your property is when it's clean, fresh and airy. You are more than likely to end up making more profit by the time you've sold your old home when you have it cleaned professionally. Buyers love a clean home and can be turned off by dirt and grime. Your objective as a seller is to show your house in the best condition possible. Deep cleaning is crucial to brightening up your home and making the space feel larger. If your schedule is tight or you don't feel like doing all the work yourself, let me help you showcase your property in the best light possible. Contact me today to learn more about how I can assist you in preparing your home for a successful sale.