A deep clean is a one-off, top-to-bottom clean that tackles the build-up a regular clean doesn’t reach: kitchen grease, bathroom limescale, skirting boards, door frames, switches and the inside of cupboards. It’s done less often, takes longer and goes into the detail: high and low dusting, behind and under what can be moved, and the grime that builds up over months. This guide explains what’s included, how it differs from regular, spring and end of tenancy cleaning, what it costs in the UK and whether it’s worth paying for.
Key takeaways
- A regular clean maintains surfaces. A deep clean removes build-up.
- Most homes benefit from a deep clean once or twice a year.
- Our fixed deep-clean prices start at £135. Across 3,341 deep cleans, the typical final price was £271.
- July and April are the busiest months for deep cleans.
- It works for lived-in homes as well as empty ones.
- Book extras like ovens, carpets and sofas at the same time for one visit.
From our job records
Counted from the 13,926 cleaning jobs we have completed since March 2023. See deep cleaning.
What’s the difference between a deep clean and a regular clean?
| Area | Regular clean | Deep clean |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Wipe worktops, sink and hob | Degrease tiles, splashbacks, cupboard fronts and extractor; de-lime sink and taps |
| Bathroom | Clean toilet, sink and bath | Remove limescale from screens and taps, scrub grout, treat mould spots |
| Dusting | Visible surfaces | High and low: light fittings, tops of doors, skirting, radiators |
| Details | Occasional | Switches, sockets, door frames, handles, window sills |
| Floors | Vacuum and mop open areas | Edges, corners and under movable furniture |
| Frequency | Weekly or fortnightly | Once or twice a year, or when needed |
A regular clean keeps a clean home clean. A deep clean resets a home that has drifted: the grease on the cooker hood, the grey edges along the skirting, the limescale that’s slowly spread across the shower screen.
Deep clean, spring clean, end of tenancy or after builders: which do you need?
| Type of clean | Best for | What’s different |
|---|---|---|
| Deep clean | Lived-in homes with build-up | Top-to-bottom reset, working around your furniture and belongings |
| Spring clean | A seasonal refresh | Essentially a deep clean booked in spring; most of ours are booked as deep cleans |
| End of tenancy clean | Moving out of, or re-letting, a rental | Done in an empty property to the check-in inventory standard, inside cupboards and appliances |
| After builders clean | Renovations and building work | Removes fine construction dust, paint spots and residue; priced on a free quote |
If you’ve just had work done, an after builders clean is the better fit, because fine dust settles for days and needs different treatment.
What does a deep clean include? Full checklist
Kitchen
- Worktops, splashbacks and tiles degreased; grout scrubbed
- Cupboard fronts, handles and the tops of wall units
- Sink, taps and plughole de-limed
- Hob and extractor hood wiped, including the filter where removable
- Outside of appliances cleaned; microwave inside and out
- Bins cleaned
- Floors vacuumed and mopped, including along the kickboards
Bathrooms
- Toilet, bath and shower cleaned and disinfected, including the toilet base and hinges
- Limescale removed from taps, shower heads and screens
- Tiles and grout scrubbed; mould spots treated
- Mirrors and cabinets cleaned
- Extractor fan cover dusted
- Floors washed, including behind the toilet
Living areas and bedrooms
- Dusting high and low: light fittings, curtain rails, tops of wardrobes and doors
- Skirting boards and door frames wiped
- Switches, sockets and radiators
- Interior windows, frames and sills
- Vacuuming, including under furniture where it can be moved
- Hard floors mopped edge to edge
Hallways and stairs
- Banisters, spindles and handrails
- Front door, letterbox and internal doors
- Stairs vacuumed edge to edge
Ovens, fridge freezers, carpets and upholstery are priced as extras, so you only pay for what you need. The full list of what our teams cover is on our cleaning checklist page.
How much does a deep clean cost?
Deep cleans use the same fixed property-size prices as our end of tenancy cleans, listed on our prices page:
| Property size | Fixed price |
|---|---|
| Studio flat | £135 |
| 1 bed, 1 bath | £175 |
| 2 bed, 1 bath | £230 |
| 2 bed, 2 bath | £270 |
| 3 bed, 1 bath | £325 |
| 3 bed, 2 bath | £360 |
| 4 bed, 1 bath | £390 |
| 4 bed, 2 bath | £435 |
| 5+ bed | from £475 |
Across 3,341 deep cleans we completed between March 2023 and September 2026, the typical final price including extras was £271, with the middle half of customers paying £209–£357. Popular extras include:
- Single oven £35, double oven £45, range cooker £60
- Fridge freezer £40
- Carpet cleaning £30 per room, rugs £25, stairs £25 per flight
- 2-seater sofa £55, 3-seater sofa £60, mattress £25
Because the price is fixed rather than hourly, you know the cost before the team arrives. If a home is in a much heavier state than average, the price is agreed with you in advance.
When should you book a deep clean?
- After winter, as a spring clean (April is one of our two busiest deep-clean months)
- In summer before guests, a party or a holiday let season (July is the busiest)
- Before putting your home on the market
- After an illness, a new baby, or when a regular cleaner hasn’t kept on top of things
- Between tenants, for landlords
- Before starting a regular cleaning routine, so it starts from a clean base
How often should you deep clean?
For most households, once or twice a year is enough, alongside regular cleaning. Homes with pets, young children, a lot of cooking or allergy sufferers may benefit from a deep clean every three to four months. Our guide on how often to deep clean a house goes into more detail by room.
Is it worth hiring professionals?
A thorough deep clean of a whole home can take one person a couple of days. A professional team does it in one visit with professional products and equipment, and the price is fixed. It’s most worth it when there’s real build-up, such as grease, limescale or neglected corners, when your time is worth more than the cost, or when you want the job done properly first time.
Can you deep clean a house yourself?
Yes, if you have the time. Work room by room and in this order: declutter, dust high areas first (light fittings, tops of doors and cupboards), then walls, switches and skirting, then kitchen and bathroom surfaces, and floors last. Leave limescale remover and degreaser to work for the time on the label rather than scrubbing harder. Our guide to which area of the house to clean first sets out a sensible order.
Whatever you use, ventilate as you go and follow product labels. Government chemical safety advice warns never to mix household cleaners, because combinations such as bleach and ammonia can form toxic gas.
What isn’t included in a deep clean?
- Washing whole walls and ceilings (marks can be spot-cleaned)
- Exterior windows that need a ladder
- Moving heavy furniture or appliances that aren’t designed to be moved
- Clearing large amounts of rubbish or clutter (for severely cluttered homes, our hoarder cleaning team gives a free quote)
- Repairs, such as resealing a bath or regrouting tiles
If you’re a landlord, a deep clean between tenants is also the moment to check the inventory, photograph each room and spot small repairs before the next let.
How do you prepare for a deep clean?
- Clear worktops, floors and surfaces where you can. Our guide to areas to empty before a deep clean has the full list.
- Put away valuables and fragile items.
- Tell us about access, parking and any surfaces that need special care, such as natural stone or unsealed wood.
- Empty and defrost the fridge freezer if you’ve added a fridge clean.
- Keep pets in one room or out of the house during the clean.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a deep clean take?
It depends on size and condition. A team usually completes a flat in a few hours and a family house in most of a day.
Is a deep clean the same as an end of tenancy clean?
They cover similar ground and use the same fixed prices. An end of tenancy clean is done in an empty property to the check-in inventory standard; a deep clean works for lived-in homes too.
Do I need to be home?
No. Many customers leave a key or arrange access. Add notes when you book.
Do you bring products and equipment?
Yes, everything needed.
What if I’m not happy with an area?
Tell us within 72 hours and a team will return to put it right at no cost under our 72-hour re-clean guarantee.
Ready to book? Get your fixed price in the calculator on our deep cleaning page, check local teams in your area, and book online any day of the week.
Book a professional deep clean
Fixed prices from £135, DBS-checked teams and a 72-hour re-clean guarantee.
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Written by the Tenancy.Cleaning team
We complete end of tenancy, deep and specialist cleans across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our guides are based on that work and checked against current UK rules.
DBS-checked cleaners£1M public liability72-hour re-clean guarantee300+ local teams
