A deep cleaning checklist covers everything a routine clean skips: inside appliances, behind and under furniture, grout, limescale, skirting boards, light fittings and the tops of doors and cupboards. Work room by room, top to bottom, and leave floors until last. Use the checklist below to plan your own deep clean, or to check what a professional service should include.
Before you start
- Declutter first. You can’t clean surfaces you can’t reach. Clear worktops, shelves and floors before you begin.
- Gather your kit. Microfibre cloths, a vacuum with attachments, a mop and bucket, a degreaser, a limescale remover or white vinegar, a bathroom cleaner, an old toothbrush, a non-scratch sponge and rubber gloves.
- Work top to bottom. Dust and debris fall downwards, so start with ceilings and light fittings and finish with the floor.
- Let products work. Apply oven cleaner, descaler and grout treatments first, then do other tasks while they soak.
- Stay safe. Open windows, wear gloves and never mix bleach with acidic limescale removers or ammonia-based products – the fumes are dangerous.
Kitchen deep cleaning checklist
- Clean inside the oven, including racks, trays, glass door and seals
- Degrease the hob, burner caps, control knobs and splashback
- Wash the extractor hood and soak or replace the grease filters
- Empty, wash and dry the fridge and freezer, including shelves, drawers and door seals
- Clean inside the microwave, including the turntable
- Clean the dishwasher filter and spray arms, and the washing machine drawer, door seal and filter
- Empty cupboards and drawers, wipe inside and out, and clean the tops of wall units
- Degrease cupboard doors and handles
- Scrub tiles and grout; clean worktops, including behind the kettle and toaster
- Descale and polish the sink, taps and draining board
- Pull out movable appliances and clean behind and underneath them
- Wash the bin inside and out
- Vacuum and mop the floor, getting right into the corners and along the kickboards
If the oven or other appliances need more than a scrub, our appliance cleaning service can be booked on its own or added to a deep clean.
Bathroom deep cleaning checklist
- Descale the shower head, taps and shower screen
- Scrub wall and floor tiles and grout; treat mould on sealant
- Clean the bath or shower tray, including the panel and around the edges
- Clean the toilet inside and out: under the rim, seat hinges, the base and behind the pedestal
- Clean the basin, plughole and overflow, and clear hair from drains
- Polish mirrors and glass shelves streak-free
- Wipe inside cabinets and wash toothbrush holders and soap dishes
- Dust the extractor fan cover and wipe the light fitting
- Clean the radiator or towel rail
- Scrub the floor, including behind the toilet and door
Let grout and limescale treatments sit for several minutes before scrubbing – the product does most of the work.
Bedrooms deep cleaning checklist
- Dust ceiling corners, light fittings and lampshades
- Wipe the tops of wardrobes, doors and frames
- Empty and wipe inside wardrobes and drawers
- Vacuum the mattress and wash all bedding, including pillow and duvet protectors
- Move the bed and furniture where possible and vacuum underneath
- Clean mirrors and wipe headboards
- Wipe skirting boards, switches, sockets and radiators
- Clean inside windows, frames, sills and handles; dust blinds and curtain rails
- Vacuum carpets edge to edge, or vacuum and mop hard floors
Living room deep cleaning checklist
- Dust high areas: coving, light fittings, curtain rails and the tops of shelves
- Dust and wipe shelving, ornaments and picture frames
- Vacuum sofas and chairs, including under the cushions, and spot-clean marks
- Move furniture to vacuum behind and underneath
- Carefully dust the TV and electronics with a dry microfibre cloth
- Wipe doors, handles, light switches, skirting boards and radiators
- Clean inside windows and sills
- Vacuum carpets and rugs thoroughly, or vacuum and mop hard floors
Heavily soiled carpets and upholstery usually need hot-water extraction rather than a vacuum. Our carpet cleaning can be added to a deep clean.
Hallways, stairs and whole-home details
- Remove cobwebs from ceiling corners throughout
- Dust banisters, spindles and stair edges
- Wipe the front door on both sides, the letterbox and the handle
- Clean all door handles, light switches and sockets
- Wipe the tops of door frames and picture rails
- Dust radiators, including behind and between the panels where you can reach
- Vacuum stairs edge to edge and finish with the hallway floor
Deep cleaning checklist by room at a glance
| Room | Key tasks | Easy to miss |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Oven, hob, fridge, cupboards, floor | Extractor filters, behind appliances, tops of units |
| Bathroom | Tiles, grout, toilet, bath, fittings | Shower head, sealant, behind the toilet |
| Bedrooms | Dusting, wardrobes, bedding, floors | Under the bed, tops of wardrobes |
| Living room | Surfaces, upholstery, floors | Under cushions, behind the sofa, skirting |
| Whole home | Doors, switches, windows, radiators | Tops of door frames, cobwebs |
The right order for a deep clean
- Declutter every room.
- Apply products that need soaking time: oven cleaner, descaler, grout and mould treatments.
- Dust from the top of each room downwards.
- Deep clean the kitchen and bathroom.
- Clean soft furnishings and upholstery.
- Clean windows, mirrors and glass.
- Finish with floors, working towards the door.
How long does a deep clean take?
It depends on the size and condition of the home. Doing it yourself, a small flat can take most of a day and a family house can take a weekend. Splitting it over several days – kitchen one day, bathrooms the next – makes it more manageable. A professional team brings the equipment and extra hands to finish in a single visit.
What a professional deep clean costs
These are real totals from our deep cleaning jobs in the last 12 months. “From” is what the cheapest tenth of jobs came in at; the average includes typical extras such as appliances or carpets.
| Property size | From | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio flat | £156 | £329 |
| 1 bedroom | £175 | £310 |
| 2 bedrooms | £208 | £317 |
| 3 bedrooms | £265 | £418 |
| 4 bedrooms | £375 | £531 |
| 5+ bedrooms | £513 | £714 |
Real job totals from the last 12 months, updated 1 October 2026. See all our prices.
FAQs
What should a deep clean include?
Everything a regular clean skips: inside the oven, fridge and cupboards, behind and under furniture and appliances, grout and limescale, skirting boards, light fittings, radiators and the tops of doors and units.
How often should I deep clean my home?
Most homes benefit from a full deep clean every few months, with the kitchen and bathroom sometimes needing attention more often. A deep clean is also worth doing before moving in, after an illness, or ahead of a special occasion.
Is a deep clean the same as an end of tenancy clean?
They cover similar ground, but an end of tenancy clean is done in an empty property and is aimed at matching the check-in inventory. A deep clean can be done while you’re living in the home.
What if something is missed on a professional deep clean?
Tell us in writing within 3 days and we’ll come back to re-clean those areas free of charge. See our guarantee for details.
Let us tick every box
Our deep cleaning service works through every room with professional products and equipment included, and you’ll get an itemised quote before you book. We work Monday to Sunday, 8am to 7pm. Get Free Quote or Book Online.