If you have ever looked at a cleaning company’s website and wondered what the difference actually is between a ‘regular clean’ and a ‘deep clean’ — you are not alone. These two terms are used constantly in the cleaning industry, often vaguely, and sometimes interchangeably. They are not the same thing.
Choosing the wrong one can mean paying for more than you need, or booking something that does not solve the actual problem. This guide explains the real difference, tells you exactly what each service covers, and gives you a clear framework for deciding which one your Fulham home actually needs right now.
The Quick Answer
| Regular Cleaning | Deep Cleaning |
| Maintains a clean home | Resets a home to a high standard |
| Weekly or fortnightly | Once or twice a year |
| 2–3 hours per session | 4–8 hours |
| Surface-level tasks | Hidden areas, appliances, behind furniture |
| £25–£35 per hour | £35–£45 per hour |
| Best for: ongoing maintenance | Best for: first clean, post-renovation, seasonal reset |
| 💡 | Rule of Thumb
If your home is already reasonably clean and you want help keeping it that way — book regular cleaning. If it has not had a thorough clean in months, or you are moving in or out — book a deep clean first. |
What Is Regular Cleaning?
Regular cleaning is a maintenance service. Its job is to keep an already-clean home tidy and hygienic on a consistent schedule — weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. It is not designed to tackle heavy build-up, long-neglected areas, or deep grime. It is designed to stop those things from developing in the first place.
In practical terms, a regular clean in a Fulham home typically takes 2–3 hours for a 1–2 bedroom flat and covers the following:
What Regular Cleaning Includes
Kitchen
- Wiping down worktops and the visible exterior of appliances
- Cleaning the hob surface and surroundings
- Washing up or loading the dishwasher if dishes are left
- Wiping cupboard fronts and handles
- Cleaning the sink and taps
- Emptying the bin
- Sweeping and mopping the floor
Bathrooms
- Cleaning the toilet bowl, seat, and exterior
- Wiping the basin, taps, and mirror
- Cleaning the shower or bath surface
- Replacing towels if fresh ones are left out
- Mopping the floor
Living Areas and Bedrooms
- Dusting surfaces and shelves
- Vacuuming carpets or mopping hard floors
- Wiping skirting boards and light switches
- Making beds if fresh linen is left out
- Emptying bins
| 📌 | What Regular Cleaning Does NOT Include
Inside the oven, inside the fridge, inside cupboards, descaling bathroom fixtures, behind appliances, skirting boards at floor level, mattress cleaning, carpet cleaning, or any specialist treatments. These are deep clean tasks. |
What Is Deep Cleaning?
A deep clean is a comprehensive, top-to-bottom clean of your entire home. It covers everything a regular clean covers, and then goes significantly further — into the areas that regular cleaning does not touch and that accumulate grime, grease, limescale, and bacteria over time.
A professional deep clean of a 2-bedroom Fulham flat typically takes 5–7 hours. It requires more products, more equipment, and more physical effort than a regular clean — which is why it costs more and is booked less frequently.
What Deep Cleaning Includes — Over and Above Regular Cleaning
Kitchen
- Full oven clean — inside, racks, door glass, and door seal
- Inside the fridge and freezer — all shelves, drawers, walls, and door seals
- Inside all kitchen cupboards — shelves, walls, and internal door surfaces
- Degreasing the extractor fan and filter
- Cleaning behind and underneath the fridge, washing machine, and dishwasher
- Descaling the sink, taps, and surrounding tiles
- Deep cleaning all appliances inside and out including the microwave
- Cleaning kitchen walls and tiles top to bottom
Bathrooms
- Full descaling of all taps, shower heads, bath, basin, and shower glass
- Cleaning and treating bathroom grout and tile joints
- Cleaning behind the toilet and around the cistern base
- Cleaning inside the bathroom cabinet
- Washing the bath mat and replacing towels
- Cleaning extractor fan cover — removing and washing if needed
- Treating any visible mould on grouting or silicone sealant
Throughout the Property
- Cleaning the tops of all door frames — one of the most consistently missed areas
- Cleaning behind all radiators
- Vacuuming and wiping inside wardrobes and storage units
- Cleaning all windows inside — glass, frames, and sills
- Cleaning light fittings and lampshades
- Removing cobwebs from all ceiling corners and coving
- Washing skirting boards throughout the full property
- Cleaning all internal doors — both sides
| ⭐ | Why These Areas Matter
The areas that deep cleaning addresses — behind appliances, inside ovens, bathroom grout, tops of door frames — are the exact areas that letting agents check at checkout. They are also where allergens, bacteria, and mould are most likely to build up silently over time. |
Side-by-Side Comparison: Room by Room
Kitchen Comparison
| Task | Regular Clean ✓/✗ | Deep Clean ✓/✗ |
| Wipe worktops | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Clean hob surface | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Clean oven inside | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| Inside fridge/freezer | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| Inside cupboards | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| Extractor fan | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| Behind appliances | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| Descale sink and taps | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| Walls and tiles | Basic wipe | Full clean top-to-bottom |
Bathroom Comparison
| Task | Regular Clean ✓/✗ | Deep Clean ✓/✗ |
| Toilet bowl, seat, exterior | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Wipe basin and mirror | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Full descaling of fixtures | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| Grout and tile joints | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| Behind toilet / cistern base | Light wipe | Full clean |
| Inside bathroom cabinet | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| Mould treatment | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| Extractor fan | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
How Often Should You Have Each Type of Clean?
There is no single correct answer — it depends on your household, your lifestyle, and the current state of your property. But here is a practical framework used by most professional cleaning companies in Fulham:
| Scenario | Recommended Approach |
| Moving into a new Fulham property | Deep clean before or on move-in day |
| Moving out of a rental | Deep clean (end of tenancy standard) on or just before checkout |
| Home not professionally cleaned in 3+ months | Deep clean first, then switch to regular |
| Regular weekly or fortnightly maintenance | Regular cleaning ongoing |
| Seasonal reset (spring / pre-Christmas) | One-off deep clean 1–2 times per year |
| Post-renovation or after building work | Specialist deep clean immediately after builders finish |
| Property used for Airbnb / short lets | Deep clean monthly; regular clean between guests |
| Allergy sufferers in the household | Regular cleaning weekly; deep clean every 3–6 months |
Cost Comparison: Deep Clean vs Regular Cleaning in Fulham
Pricing in Fulham and SW6 varies by company, but here are the realistic market rates as of 2025:
Regular Cleaning Costs in Fulham
| Property Size | Session Duration | Typical Cost |
| Studio flat | 1.5–2 hours | £38–£70 |
| 1 bedroom flat | 2–2.5 hours | £50–£88 |
| 2 bedroom flat | 2.5–3 hours | £63–£105 |
| 3 bedroom house | 3–4 hours | £75–£140 |
Deep Cleaning Costs in Fulham
| Property Size | Session Duration | Typical Cost |
| Studio flat | 2.5–3.5 hours | £88–£158 |
| 1 bedroom flat | 3.5–5 hours | £123–£225 |
| 2 bedroom flat | 5–6.5 hours | £175–£293 |
| 3 bedroom house | 6.5–8.5 hours | £228–£383 |
| 💡 | Value Tip
The most cost-effective approach for most Fulham households is a deep clean to establish a proper baseline, followed by regular weekly or fortnightly cleaning to maintain it. This keeps the total cost lower than repeated deep cleans and ensures your home is consistently clean. |
Common Mistakes Fulham Residents Make When Booking a Clean
Booking Regular Cleaning When the Property Needs a Deep Clean First
This is the most common mistake. If your home has not been professionally cleaned for months, booking a regular clean will not solve the problem. A regular cleaner will maintain whatever standard the property is currently at — they will not spend three hours on the oven because it is not in their scope. If the property needs a reset, book a deep clean first.
Assuming End of Tenancy = Deep Clean = One-Off Clean
These are related but distinct services. An end of tenancy clean is a specific type of deep clean designed to meet a letting agent’s checkout standard. It is more intensive than a standard deep clean and comes with a re-clean guarantee. A standard deep clean or one-off clean, while thorough, is not always sufficient for a checkout inspection if it does not cover every area on the letting agent’s checklist.
Not Telling the Cleaner About Problem Areas
Whether you are booking a regular or deep clean, tell the cleaner in advance about specific problem areas. Heavy limescale in the bathroom? Oven that has not been cleaned in a year? Grout with mould? These take extra time and products. If you mention them at booking, the cleaner arrives prepared. If you do not, they may not have the right products or sufficient time to deal with them.
Booking Too Short a Session
Regular cleaning is priced by the hour and many clients book the minimum time to save money. A 2-bedroom flat cleaned properly takes at least 3 hours. Booking 2 hours for the same property means either the cleaner rushes and cuts corners, or several areas are skipped. Be realistic about the time required based on the property size and its condition.
How to Decide: A Simple Decision Framework
Answer these questions to work out which service you need:
| ❓ | Question 1
Has your home been professionally cleaned in the last 3 months? If NO — book a deep clean. If YES — regular cleaning may be sufficient. |
| ❓ | Question 2
Are you moving in or out of a property? If YES — book a deep clean (end of tenancy standard for moving out). If NO — continue to question 3. |
| ❓ | Question 3
Does your oven, fridge, or bathroom show visible build-up? If YES — book a deep clean. If NO — regular cleaning will maintain your home. |
| ❓ | Question 4
Are you booking for the first time with a new cleaning company? If YES — start with a deep clean to establish a baseline. If NO — your existing regular schedule is likely appropriate. |
Book a Deep Clean or Regular Cleaning in Fulham
Maid in Fulham provides both deep cleaning and regular cleaning services across Fulham SW6, Parsons Green, Chelsea, Hammersmith, Clapham, Battersea, and all surrounding postcodes.
We are happy to advise on which service is right for your property at the time of booking — just describe what you need and we will give you an honest recommendation and a clear price.
