How Long Does It Take to Deep Clean a House?

A deep clean of your home is a major undertaking, requiring you to clean the hard-to-reach or time-consuming spots in your home. The truth is that the amount of time it takes for deep cleaning depends on the size of the home and how often it’s cleaned. Whether you DIY or hire a local house cleaner, here’s what you can expect for a deep-cleaning timeline.

How Long Does it Take to Deep Clean a House?

It can take anywhere from four to 10 hours to deep clean a house, depending on the number of rooms, difficult tasks, and its level of maintenance. Smaller, cleaner homes fall in the four-to six-hour range, while large estates can take upwards of 10 hours to deep clean. Here are more details of the timeline based on the size and state of the home.

Factors That Influence How Long it Takes to Deep Clean

If you’ve ever deep cleaned, it’s no surprise that this tedious task is not one-time frame-fits-all. Instead, the time it takes to completely deep clean a home depends on a number of variables, from how big the home is to how many cleaners are on the crew. 

Size of House

The more square footage, the longer it will likely take to deep clean a house. Bigger homes tend to have more rooms that require more intense cleaning, such as bathrooms and kitchens. A 1,000-to 2,000-square-foot home can take anywhere from six to eight hours to deep clean, while a property that spans 2,500 square feet or more can take 10 hours or more. Large estates or mansions will need multiple days to deep clean. 

Level of Cleanliness

A well-maintained home won’t need as much deep cleaning as one that has never been professionally cleaned. This is especially true if the home has visible evidence of mold, grease, pet hair, or hard water stains. The more grime that has accumulated, the longer the deep cleaning will take. 

Surfaces & Materials

High-end countertop materials like marble will require more careful cleaning than more low-maintenance options like concrete or quartz. The same can be said for hardwood floors versus vinyl floors. The more precious the surfaces and materials in the home, the longer it will take to deep clean to ensure they’re preserved properly. 

Cleaning Crew

A two-person cleaning crew will take longer to deep clean as opposed to a full crew that can divide and conquer. Whether you’re moonlighting as a professional cleaner or looking to hire a local cleaner, the more hands that are on deck, the faster the job will get done. The trade-off is that multi-person cleaning crews will charge more for labor. 

Quality of Supplies & Equipment

Heavy-duty vacuums and steam cleaners aren’t practical for everyday use, especially when you factor in the high price tag. Unless you plan to rent professional-grade cleaning supplies and tools, it’ll take you longer to deep clean a home yourself than it would a group of experts who have the heavy-duty tools and supplies at their disposal.

Signs It’s Time to Deep Clean

If your home is starting to feel more “lived in” than loved, it’s time for a deep clean. Beyond the usual dirt and dishes, here are a few telltale signs that things have gone from tidy to time to clean:

• Lingering, mysterious odors 

• Bathroom tiles and grout have changed color 

• A visible layer of pet hair covers multiple corners

• Build-up on baseboards and vents that affects your air quality

• Clutter that makes it hard to find everyday items 

• Residue on common touch points, such as light switches and doorknobs 

How to Maintain a Deep Clean

Once your floors are sparkling and your windows look like you could walk right into them, it helps to come up with a plan to stay ahead of the mess. The following tips can keep your home squeaky clean: 

Develop a Routine 

A tiny bit of tidying each day can keep the mess at bay. Following a checklist of daily tasks such as wiping down countertops, vacuuming and sweeping high-traffic areas, and putting clutter away before bedtime can keep you ahead of the game. 

Keep Supplies Handy

It’s easy to put off regular cleaning when your supplies are locked up in a storage closet that’s hard to access. The easier your wipes, sprays, and dusters are to access, the more likely you are to maintain a fresh space, making deep cleaning a less-frequent task. 

Declutter Often

It’s easy to accumulate an excess of stuff, especially if you have multiple people living in your home. To prevent clutter from taking over your house, keep an empty box in a designated spot so you can collect items to donate over time. When it’s full, schedule a pickup or take it to your favorite drop-off spot so your trash can become someone else’s treasure.