What's Included in a Professional House Cleaning?

A lot of people have never hired a cleaning service before. The most common question we get is "what exactly do you do?" It's a fair question, and the answer should be straightforward. Here's what's typically included, and what isn't.

What a Standard Clean Covers

A standard clean is what happens on a regular visit, whether that's weekly, biweekly, or monthly. It covers the surfaces and areas that need attention every time.

Kitchen: - Wipe down counters, stovetop, and the outside of appliances - Clean the sink - Wipe cabinet fronts if they have visible marks or splashes - Clean the microwave inside and out - Take out the trash and recycling - Sweep and mop the floor

Bathrooms: - Scrub the toilet, inside and out - Clean the sink, faucet, and mirror - Wipe down the counter and any shelving - Clean the tub and shower walls - Sweep and mop the floor

Bedrooms and Living Areas: - Dust all reachable surfaces (shelves, nightstands, dressers, windowsills) - Make the beds (change sheets if fresh ones are left out) - Vacuum carpets and rugs - Vacuum or mop hard floors - Empty small trash bins

General: - Dust light switches, door handles, and baseboards in main areas - Vacuum or mop all hard floors - Vacuum all carpeted areas - Tidy up as we go (straightening cushions, folding throw blankets)

A standard clean keeps your home maintained between deeper cleans. It's not meant to tackle heavy buildup. That's what a deep clean is for.

What a Deep Clean Adds

A deep clean covers everything in the standard clean, plus areas that don't need attention every visit but build up over time.

• Inside the oven: Grease, baked-on food, racks
• Inside the fridge: Shelves, drawers, door compartments, wiping down walls
• Baseboards throughout the home: Dust and scuff marks
• Window tracks and sills: Dirt buildup in the channels
• Light fixtures and ceiling fans: Dust on blades and glass covers
• Behind and under furniture: Where the vacuum doesn't usually reach
• Inside cabinets (if requested): Wiping shelves and reorganizing
• Detailed dusting: Crown moulding, door frames, vents, blinds

Most people book a deep clean once or twice a year, or as their first cleaning when they start with a new service. If you're unsure how often your home needs one, our guide on how often to deep clean your home breaks it down. After the first deep clean, regular standard visits keep everything in good shape.

What's Usually Not Included

There are some things that fall outside a typical cleaning service. This varies by company, but here's what is generally not part of a standard or deep clean.

• Laundry: We don't wash, fold, or iron clothes.
• Dishes: If the sink is full, we'll clean around it, but washing dishes isn't part of the service.
• Organizing: Cleaning and organizing are different skills. We clean surfaces, but we don't sort your closets or rearrange your pantry.
• Exterior windows: Inside window cleaning is sometimes included in a deep clean. Exterior windows require different equipment and are usually a separate service.
• Heavy lifting: Moving large furniture, carrying boxes, or rearranging rooms isn't something we do for safety reasons.
• Repairs: We'll tell you if we notice a problem (like mould under the sink or a leaking faucet), but fixing it isn't our job.

If there's something specific you want included, ask. Most companies are happy to add things to the scope if you let them know ahead of time. Knowing how to choose a cleaning service that communicates well makes this much easier.

How to Communicate What Matters to You

Every home is different, and so is every homeowner. Some people care most about the kitchen. Others want the bathrooms to shine. Some have a pet that sheds everywhere and need extra vacuuming.

The best thing you can do is tell your cleaner what matters to you. A good cleaning service will listen and adjust. If the floors are your top priority, say so. If you'd rather we spend more time in the bathrooms and less on dusting the living room, that's fine.

The First Visit vs Ongoing Visits

The first visit usually takes longer. If you've never done this before, our guide on hiring a cleaner for the first time covers what to expect. There may be buildup that hasn't been addressed in a while, and the cleaner is also learning the layout of your home. After that, regular visits are faster and more efficient because the maintenance work is lighter.

Portuguese Housekeeping Services has been cleaning homes in Toronto and Mississauga for over 30 years. If you have questions about what we include or want to talk through what your home needs, give us a call. We'll give you a clear, honest answer.