The cost of a professional house cleaning service typically ranges from $30 to $50 per hour. The final price depends on factors like the size of your house, the type of cleaning requested, and the overall level of cleaning required.

On average, you can expect to pay around $170 for a professional cleaning. Costs can also be calculated per square foot, ranging from $0.05 to $0.15 for a standard cleaning and up to $0.20 for a deep clean.

Here's a breakdown of potential costs by service type:

• Standard Cleaning: Includes tasks like sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, and wiping down kitchen and bathroom surfaces. This typically costs between $75 and $175 per visit.

• Deep Cleaning: A more thorough service that may include window washing, cleaning under furniture, and polishing hard-to-clean surfaces. This can cost from $200 to $600 for a whole-home deep clean.

• Specific Add-ons: Services like window cleaning can cost $4 to $10 per window, and carpet cleaning can range from $75 to $200.

Many maid services offer discounts for regularly scheduled appointments.

You can always use a homemade vinegar solution as a natural alternative to commercial cleaning products. To make and use a vinegar cleaning solution, fill a spray bottle with equal parts white distilled vinegar and warm water. Spray the solution liberally across the tub surface. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping it down with a non-abrasive sponge or cleaning cloth, then rinse with clean water. If a line of soap scum is still visible, spray it with the vinegar solution. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently scrub the residue away before wiping it down and rinsing again.

Professionals use various tools and cleaning solutions based on the type of floor they’re cleaning. They often use industrial steam cleaners to pull debris out of the carpet. For localized stains, they may use a commercial cleaner or a mixture of water, vinegar, and dish soap. For tile, they’ll typically use dish soap and hot water, plus a mixture of baking soda and hot water for the grout. For cleaning wood floors, they might use a low-heat steamer, a mop with an oil wood floor cleaner, or a mixture of hot water, vinegar, and lemon juice.

The best cleaner to remove soot depends on the surface material and the type of fire, but consider dish soaps or degreasers, baking soda, rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen. Low-oxygen fires often leave behind greasy soot, which is best removed with dish soaps or degreasers. Baking soda can be useful for absorbing soot deposits from carpets, followed by rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean the set-in stains.