When comparing house cleaning service plans, you’ll likely notice a plan described as Standard, Routine, or Regular. These essential cleaning service plans are generally comparable from company to company, but you may find differences if you look closely.
It’s important to understand exactly what services you’ll be paying for before hiring a maid service for your home. So, what is included in a standard house cleaning service?
What Does “Standard Cleaning” Mean?
Regardless of whether you live in a house, condo, townhome, or apartment, one thing is certain. You need your home to be free of germs and allergens.
You want your home to be as clean as possible, and ideally, you want to achieve these goals with minimal time and effort. A standard cleaning from a housecleaning company is a routine service that you can set up for weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly visits.
It includes all of the cleaning tasks that are required to stay on top of grime and allergens in your high-traffic areas as well as the most-used rooms in your home, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces, and more. Rather than focusing on deep cleaning chores, a standard cleaning delivers a tidy home that is free of surface stains, spots, and everyday dirt.
When you remove the everyday messes regularly, you won’t be faced with a buildup of grime that’s far more challenging to remove. Your home will remain clean and presentable so you’re always ready for last-minute or unexpected guests.
Common Areas Included
While you’ll find minor differences in standard cleaning services from maid company to company, there are primary or core chores that are typically included. What type of cleaning services will be done in your rooms regardless of the cleaning company you select for your home?
Kitchen Cleaning Essentials
Between cooking grease, food spills, foodborne germs, and more, your kitchen can turn into a filthy mess fast. Housecleaners will remove germs, spills, and crumbs from counters and the backsplash.
They’ll wipe down the exterior of your kitchen appliances, but interior appliance cleaning is saved for a more thorough deep cleaning session. The exception is the microwave, which will typically be cleaned inside and out.
All sink and fixture features will be sanitized and polished. In addition, the exterior of your cabinets will get a thorough wipe-down, and the flooring will be swept and mopped.
Bathroom Cleaning Essentials
Bathrooms face problems like mold, mildew, soap scum, water spots, and even toilet messes. A routine cleaning here is more than superficial. Typically, the interior and exterior of the toilet will be sanitized.
Soap scum, water spots, and other mess will be scrubbed off of the shower or tub and the surround. The sink, vanity, mirror, and cabinet will also be thoroughly cleaned to remove everything from globs of toothpaste to smudges on the glass and more.
Your maids will take out the trash and clean the floor as the last steps in the bathroom.
Bedrooms & Living Areas
Bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, home offices, and other similar areas generally won’t have the same problem areas as your kitchen and bathrooms.
In these areas, the housekeepers tidy up the space before dusting furniture and electronics. Some maid services will change the sheets if you leave a fresh set out.
Cushions and pillows will be fluffed and straightened, and high-touch areas will be sanitized. Depending on the type of flooring you have in these areas, your cleaners will vacuum or sweep before using a wet or dry mop.
What’s Usually Not Included?
Standard cleaning includes all of those tasks that need your attention frequently. There are, however, some cleaning chores that require attention less frequently.
These are chores that your cleaning company may offer with deep cleaning service rather than standard cleaning. What’s not included in a standard cleaning plan?
- Shampooing and stain removal for upholstery, rugs, and carpeting
- Interior cleaning for the oven and fridge
- Interior cleaning for the cabinets, drawers, and pantry
- Higher areas that need to be cleaned with a ladder, such as ceiling fans, light fixtures, and high windows
- Underneath or behind heavy furniture
- Cleaning pet stains
- Heavy mold remediation
- Cleanup after a renovation
- Hoarding cleaning
Standard vs. Deep Cleaning
It’s important to understand what chores are and are not included in a standard cleaning service before setting up a routine service. Standard cleaning is perfect for routine chores that tackle everyday messes and clutter.
Deep cleaning and special services are typically available from most cleaning companies to tackle special cleaning needs. If you have any questions about what is and isn’t included in a company’s standard plan, it’s important to ask for clarification.
Keep in mind that maid services may add special cleaning services to routine cleaning upon request and with an extra charge.
At BetterClean, we know that our new customers often have a lot of questions about the services we offer, and we’re always eager to answer those questions thoroughly. Keep in mind that you can tailor our standard house cleaning services with special add-ons to more fully meet your home’s specific needs.
When you’re ready for a better clean in your home, reach out to one of our helpful cleaning team members for answers to all of your questions and to schedule your first cleaning session.
