Deep cleaning: what it includes and what it costs
Deep cleaning tackles dirt and details that routine care does not fully address. It may concern an occupied home, a kitchen or a heavily used floor. The term alone, however, does not define a fixed package of tasks.
Deep cleaning, routine cleaning or a move-out clean?
Routine cleaning maintains everyday cleanliness. Deep cleaning targets more persistent deposits, such as grease, limescale or old cleaning-product residues. It does not require a move or an empty home.
A move-out clean instead follows the agreed handover requirements. Intensive cleaning without a handover does not automatically include a handover guarantee. After building work, the particular residues also need to be specified.
| Area | Scope to agree |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Fronts and worktops; add oven, fridge and cupboard interiors explicitly. |
| Bathroom and toilet | Fittings, sanitary surfaces and suitable treatment of limescale and soap residues. |
| Floors | Adhering dirt and, where appropriate, old care layers; plan protective treatment separately. |
| Other surfaces | Doors, skirting boards, radiators, windows or fitted units as specifically selected. |
Limit the job to the work you actually need
First identify the rooms or surfaces involved. If only the kitchen and bathroom need intensive attention, the whole property's floor area is not an appropriate price basis. For windows, the number, size and access matter instead.
In a kitchen, inside and outside cleaning involve noticeably different work. Ovens, fridges and cupboards take additional time and may need emptying. The same applies to display cabinets or other fitted units. Record these choices instead of ordering an undefined complete clean.
Replacing silicone joints, upholstery cleaning, waste removal or moving heavy furniture are not included merely because a service is called deep cleaning. Request these tasks separately if needed.
A targeted enquiry might read: ‘In our occupied 82 m² flat, we would like only the kitchen, roughly 12 m², and bathroom, roughly 6 m², deep cleaned. In the kitchen, this means greasy cupboard fronts, worktops and the oven interior, including trays and the rack. Cupboards and the fridge should be cleaned on the outside only. In the bathroom, the main problems are limescale on fittings and the glass shower screen, plus soap residues. The tiled floors in both rooms are included; no new protective treatment is wanted. We do not know the exact worktop material. Windows, blinds and all other rooms are excluded. We will clear the worktops; large appliances will stay in place.’
This defines the job more clearly than the whole flat’s floor area. Even so, 18 m² of flooring alone does not determine the workload: appliances, fittings and deposits add to it. Existing photos or care instructions can help with an assessment. If a surface or residue is uncertain, simply mention that initially; the contractor will assess a suitable treatment.
What costs should you expect?
Two checked price examples for targeted intensive kitchen or bathroom cleaning use different models: CHF 55–65 per hour excluding VAT works out at roughly CHF 59–71 including 8.1% VAT. Another supplier lists a starting rate of CHF 65 per hour including VAT. As of October 2026, these are individual examples, not a Swiss average or Quoti tariffs.
Minimum bookings, travel, equipment or special treatment can change the total. A starting price does not set an upper limit. Fixed and per-square-metre prices need a clear description of included areas and tasks: treating a floor alone is not the same as cleaning a whole flat.
Illustrative calculation: two people work for four hours each. At an assumed CHF 65 per worker-hour including VAT, labour costs CHF 520. The eight worker-hours are a fictional assumption, not a standard allowance for a particular area. Compare the complete quoted job.
The CHF 55–65 excluding VAT example has a two-hour minimum; included travel is limited to Lucerne city and the surrounding 5 km. The starting rate of CHF 65 including VAT comes from the Zurich area and lists distance-dependent travel charges. Even for a small job, compare the minimum booking and travel to your specific property. Do not assume products and equipment are included without confirmation.
Cleaning a floor and renewing its protection are separate decisions
In professional floor care, deep cleaning can also mean removing old care films or protective layers. That is more than thorough mopping. The floor type and its existing treatment must first be identified.
Linoleum, PVC, oiled wood and natural stone do not automatically tolerate the same products or machines. Strong alkalis and unsuitable abrasive tools can, for example, damage linoleum. Pass on available care information and let the company determine a compatible method.
A subsequent coating, oiling or other protection requires a separate agreement. Not every floor needs or tolerates it. Also establish when the surface can be walked on and when furniture can be put back.
What cleaning can achieve and where it has limits
Grease, limescale, adhering dirt and old residues need different treatment depending on the surface. Scratches, flaking finishes or discoloured material are not automatically removable dirt. Inspect existing damage and uncertain areas together before work begins.
Deep cleaning is not automatically disinfection or remediation of damp or mould damage. Those issues require a specifically defined assignment. For ordinary intensive cleaning, you do not need to prescribe chemicals or equipment yourself.
Prepare occupied rooms for the work
Good preparation creates clear working surfaces without requiring you to clean everything before the visit. Agree who moves which objects and which areas must remain accessible.
- Put small items away. Remove personal belongings from the agreed surfaces. Empty cupboards or appliances only where their interiors will be cleaned.
- Agree furniture and access. Decide whether cleaners work around furniture or help move it. Discuss heavy or connected appliances separately.
- Organise use of the space. Arrange water, power and access; for business premises, choose a suitable time or work in sections.
- Allow for drying. Agree when areas can be used again, particularly after intensive floor treatment.
Recognise a quote you can compare properly
The quote should specify selected rooms and tasks, particular residues, extras and exclusions. Check whether a rate is per worker-hour or a fixed price. Additional hours should be agreed before they are worked.
Arrange a brief result check and how any remaining cleaning faults will be addressed. This differs from restoring already damaged surfaces. A one-off job does not require an ongoing cleaning contract; you can discuss later routine care separately.
Go through the agreed task list together: have the oven, trays and rack been treated as requested, the selected fronts degreased and the accessible limescale patches addressed? Once the floors are dry, check edges and areas around furniture left in place for remaining dirt or cleaning-product film. Ask which marks can still be treated and which result from material damage. Record any missed areas and agreed follow-up work, including timing and possible charges.
Frequently asked questions
Can an occupied home be deep cleaned?
Yes. Agree clear surfaces, furniture and interior cleaning of cupboards or appliances. The home does not need to be empty, but available access affects the work involved.
Can I request just a kitchen or bathroom deep clean?
Yes. Choose the areas and tasks you want. Check minimum bookings and travel: a small assignment does not simply cost a proportion of the whole property's floor area.
Are windows and blinds always included?
No. They should be explicitly listed. Glass, frames and blinds are also different tasks and may be priced separately.
How often is deep cleaning useful?
It depends on use, materials, routine care and actual condition. The same fixed interval for every home or business would not be useful.
Will the floor automatically receive a new protective finish?
No. Intensive cleaning, removing old layers and applying protection are different services. Which ones make sense depends on the floor and its previous treatment.
