What's Included in a Deep Cleaning?

We know how quickly a house can feel stuffy after a long season.

The EPA actually reports that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside. A thorough deep cleaning checklist is a necessary reset for both your home’s appearance and your indoor air quality.

Our team at San Antonio Maid Services is dedicated to providing top-tier residential cleaning services that prioritize quality and client trust.

This guide outlines the exact deep clean scope to show what a standard service simply cannot reach. Let’s review the actual task list and clarify exactly what does deep cleaning cover, as well as what falls outside the scope.

This guide expands on what we cover in our full deep cleaning service; use it as the deep-dive companion to that page.

Kitchen

We always prioritize the kitchen because it is the hardest working room in the house.

When clients ask what does deep cleaning cover, the answer starts right here. A landmark 2011 study from NSF International found that 45% of kitchen sinks harbor coliform bacteria, making them dirtier than most bathroom surfaces.

Our process cuts through heavy stovetop grease and fully sanitizes the sink basin to keep these high-touch areas safe.

Here is the specific breakdown for this room:

• Baseboards wiped (top edge included)
• Blinds detailed slat-by-slat where time allows
• Interior windows cleaned
• Behind and under stand-alone appliances (toaster, coffee maker, mixer)
• Exterior of large appliances detailed (refrigerator front, dishwasher, oven hood, microwave)
• Deep grease cuts on stovetop and backsplash
• Grout treatment on tile counter or backsplash
• Light fixtures wiped (where accessible)
• Vent covers and exhaust fan dusted
• Inside microwave (deep)
• Sink scrubbed and faucet polished
• Cabinet exterior detailed
• Floor swept, mopped, and edges detailed

Bathrooms

Our bathroom service directly addresses the mineral buildup caused by local plumbing.

San Antonio water is officially classified as very hard, averaging 15 to 20 grains per gallon. This high mineral content creates stubborn calcium spots on glass shower doors and dulls tile grout.

We use specialized grout treatments to break down this buildup without damaging your surfaces.

The complete bathroom checklist covers:

• Grout deep cleaning
• Hard-water spotting on glass shower doors and fixtures
• Tile detail
• Fan vent dusting
• Light fixtures wiped
• Behind toilet and base detail
• Cabinet exterior detailed
• Mirror polished
• Counter and sink scrubbed
• Floor swept, mopped, and edges detailed
• Trash emptied; liner replaced

Bedrooms

We focus heavily on dust removal in sleeping areas to improve your nighttime breathing.

The American Lung Association states that four out of five US homes have dust mite allergens hiding in at least one bed. Removing these microscopic irritants requires the right equipment.

Our HEPA vacuums trap 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns, pulling dust from carpets and baseboards.

The bedroom reset includes:

• Baseboards wiped
• Ceiling fan blades detailed
• Interior windows cleaned
• Blinds dusted
• Vent covers wiped
• Light fixtures (accessible) dusted
• All horizontal surfaces dusted
• Beds made and linens refreshed (if linens are out)
• Mirrors polished
• Floor vacuumed (carpet) or swept and mopped (hard floor)
• Trash emptied

Common areas (living, dining, hallway)

Our technicians spend extra time detailing the shared spaces where families gather most.

High-traffic areas naturally collect pet dander and pollen on upholstery and rugs. A thorough HEPA upholstery pass on couch cushions captures the allergens that settle deep into the fabric.

We also hand-wipe the frequently forgotten dust traps, like door frames and stair railings.

The focus areas for living spaces are:

• Baseboards wiped
• Ceiling fan blades detailed
• Light fixtures dusted
• Vent covers wiped
• Couch cushions vacuumed (HEPA upholstery pass)
• Coffee tables, side tables, console tables fully wiped
• Picture frames dusted
• Door frames and door tops wiped
• Stair railings detailed
• Floor vacuumed and mopped, edges detailed

Common requests we add at deep-clean rate

We understand that some homes need a little extra attention in specific zones.

These requests fall outside the standard deep clean checklist but can easily be added. Booking these add-ons in advance allows the crew to block out the necessary time.

Our pricing simply reflects the additional labor required for these deeper tasks.

Popular additions include:

• Inside oven: degreasing, including racks
• Inside refrigerator: shelves and door seals
• Inside microwave: deeper than the standard wipe
• Cabinet interiors: kitchen or bathroom (typically partial)
• Garage: single-car or partial-bay sweep and dust

We recommend asking about these options during booking.

Pricing reflects the additional time required.

What is NOT in a deep clean

Our team focuses on the surfaces that are accessible in a fully furnished, lived-in home.

The following tasks are strictly reserved for Move-In and Move-Out Cleaning, which is a vacant-property service. Attempting to empty every drawer in an occupied home completely disrupts daily life.

We also exclude exterior windows, exterior pressure washing, full-day organization, or trade-specific work.

Post-construction is its own service, so see Post-Construction Cleaning for those details.

The excluded items are:

• Full interior of cabinets and drawers (every drawer, every cabinet, every shelf)
• Dishwasher interior beyond a basic wipe
• Inside-fan-housing detail
• Window track interiors

Time required

We provide a realistic time estimate based on the footprint of your home.

A typical three-bedroom home takes a team of two professionals roughly four to six hours to complete. Certain factors will naturally push a visit closer to the upper end of the estimate.

Our crew will always confirm the schedule before starting if heavy pet hair or allergy-sensitive needs require extra time.

Homes that have not had professional cleaning in over a year also demand more hours.

The general benchmarks by home size are:

• 1-bedroom apartment: 2 to 3 hours
• 2-bedroom home: 3 to 4 hours
• 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom: 4 to 6 hours (typical team of two)
• 4-bedroom: 5 to 8 hours (team of two or three)

When deep clean fits best

Our clients often schedule this service strategically throughout the year.

Texas A&M Forest Service data shows that local cedar fever season actually peaks in January. Booking a thorough reset in late February perfectly clears out the lingering Ashe juniper pollen from your home.

We recommend these specific milestones for the best results:

• First visit before recurring service starts
• Once or twice a year as a maintenance reset
• After cedar fever season (late February in San Antonio)
• Before holiday hosting (October to November)
• Post-renovation final clean
• Pet households with allergy-sensitive members
• Pre-listing for real estate

Understanding the difference between service tiers helps you make the right choice.

For a comparison with standard cleaning, see deep cleaning vs standard cleaning.

Our team is ready to answer your questions.

For pricing, see how much does deep cleaning cost in Texas.

To book, get a quote in 60 seconds.