Deep Cleaning Before The Holidays

What’s The Difference Between A Deep Clean And A Regular Clean?

Are you ready to hire a professional deep cleaning service? If so, you aren’t alone. The fact is, professional house cleaners bring quite a few benefits to the table.

However, as you hire these services, there are a few things you need to know. One of these things is what the difference is between a deep clean and regular clean. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about these two types of cleaning services.

Regular Cleaning Explained

When you hire professional house cleaners for a “regular cleaning,” this is going to include the things you would do on a weekly basis. A regular clean is designed to help maintain a certain level of cleanliness around your house.

When you invest in a regular clean (which will be what you typically receive) the home cleaner will do some of the following things:

  • Vacuuming and mopping your floors
  • Tidying up the house
  • Cleaning the bathrooms – toilet, bath, mirror, sink, etc.
  • Cleaning the kitchen – wiping surfaces, outside of appliances, taking out trash, etc.

These cleaning tasks typically don’t take that long to complete; however, they are essential to help keep your home free from dust, dirt and other debris.

Deep Cleaning Explained

Now that you know what a regular cleaning entails, it’s time to discuss a deep clean. Deep cleaning is something you are likely going to need to invest in when you first hire a cleaning service. While deep cleaning is more expensive than regular cleaning, it also only needs to be done every six months, or so.

A deep cleaning service will remove the deep dirt and grime in your home. It will cover the areas that aren’t typically covered in a regular cleaning service.

Some of the services provided when you hire a home cleaning service for a deep clean include:

  • Remove scale and soap scum from shower heads, taps, kitchen tiles, bathroom tiles, etc.
  • Clean behind appliances such as the oven, washing machine and cut through the grime that often builds up
  • Deep and complete dusting including the baseboards and doors in all rooms
  • Washing the home’s interior windows
  • Cleaning patio doors and window frames
  • Cleaning the interior of the oven and glass door

As you can see, a deep cleaning is much more thorough than a regular cleaning service. This is the main reason that you pay more when you hire the professionals. It also takes longer to complete.

How to Clean Your Oven With Lemons

  • Fill a medium-sized, oven-proof mixing bowl with water. Cut two lemons in half and place them in the bowl.
  • Heat your oven to 250 degrees.
  • Once heated, place the mixing bowl inside on one of the racks. Leave for one hour.
  • After an hour, turn off the oven, open the door and let it cool slightly.
  • While the oven is still warm (but cool enough that you could safely touch the inside without getting burned), put on gloves, take a damp cloth and wipe down all surfaces, including the back, sides, bottom, top, door, corners and crevices. If needed, use a wet scouring pumice, microfiber sponge or other abrasive tool to target any extra sticky spots. Be sure to wipe thoroughly so that you remove all grease and grime.
  • You’re done!

How to Clean Walls with Different Paint Finishes

The first thing you should consider when washing painted walls is the finish. (If needed, reference our handy guide to paint finishes.) Whether the finish is glossy or flat will determine how scrubbing will affect the look of the wall.

Flat, Satin, and Eggshell Finishes

Duller paint finishes are less durable when it comes to cleaning. Do not use harsh chemicals or degreasers when cleaning flat paint walls. When washing with a sponge, be sure not to scrub too hard. The sponge should be wrung out almost completely before putting it to the walls.

Glossy or Semigloss Finishes

Because these paints are highly durable, they’re most commonly used in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathroom. It’s OK to use a mild degreaser on glossy kitchen backsplashes or vanity doors. Although glossy and semigloss paint is durable, it will still scratch, so always use a soft sponge when cleaning walls.

How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Home?

If it wasn’t hard enough keeping on top of the general housekeeping chores, then you may not want to know how often you should be deep cleaning the rest of your home.

As households become busier year-on-year, experts believe we’re rapidly losing the fight against allergens and grime.

Kitchen

  • Microwave: every week. Food splatters and left over moisture can become a breeding ground for germs. Giving your microwave and the turntable a thorough clean every week should remove those otherwise missed splashes.
  • Refrigerator: every month. Food spills, leaky meat wrappers and rotting vegetables (hello salad drawer!) can lead to serious bacterial contamination. Removing all your food and wiping down all the shelves and drawers with an antibacterial wash shall not only prevent bacteria spreading, but also help you keep on top of expired foods.
  • Oven: If your oven starts to smell of previously cooked food or smoke, it’s time to deep clean the oven. In-between cleans you can use a damp rag to remove spills and splashes.

Bathroom

  • Bathtubs and showers: every week. Offering a warm and moist environment, bathtubs and showers are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungus that cause skin infections.
  • Toilet: every week. Most households can manage by wiping over the cistern, buttons and toilet seat with an antibacterial agent; deep clean the toilet weekly with a cleaner and toilet brush to remove stains and mineral deposits.
  • Showerheads: once a year. Removing the showerhead and soaking it in a descaling product will help remove internal mineral build-up and return the showerhead to its former glory.
  • Bathmats: every week. Like the tub, a fabric bathmat can act like a juicy spongy breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. Use a sanitising wash to remove any harmful bugs and try to hang the mat in full-sun to dry.

Bedrooms

  • Pillows: every quarter. You spend about a third of your life in bed, so it makes sense to regularly cleanse your pillows from trapped dead skin, oil, sweat, allergens, dust mites and their eggs.
  • Mattresses: every six months. Like pillows, the mattress can soak up and trap body fluids, dead skin, allergens, dust mites and even bed bugs in its fibres. To keep your bed smelling sweet, get the mattress professionally steam cleaned every six months.
  • Duvets and blankets: every six months. Check if your local launderette offers extra large washing machines that are perfectly sized for large duvets and blankets.

How to Clean Walls with Latex Paint

The best way to wash walls painted with latex paint is to use warm water and a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner. Dip a clean sponge in the water, then wring it dry. Gently rub the wall. Pay special attention to areas that get touched often, such as around doorknobs and light switches. Rinse with a second sponge and clear water. Take care not to wet areas around outlets, light switches, telephone jacks, and other electrical connections. If scrubbing those spots is necessary, turn off electricity at the circuit breaker box.

For stubborn spots, such as fingerprints, newspaper smudges, or scuffs, make a paste of baking soda and water and rub the area with a nonabrasive pad. If cleaner (or white vinegar and water) doesn’t remove the grime or stain on painted woodwork, wipe the woodwork with a rag dampened with rubbing alcohol.