Flats are compact, but that does not make them quick to deep clean. Kitchens and bathrooms are often small and poorly ventilated, storage is packed tight, and getting equipment up three flights of stairs takes planning. This guide to deep cleaning a flat covers what the job includes room by room, how it differs from a regular clean, and how to prepare, whether you live there or let it out. People usually book one when moving in or out, after a long tenancy, or as a once-a-year reset.
Deep clean or regular clean?
A regular clean keeps on top of what you see: dusting, vacuuming, mopping, wiping the kitchen and cleaning the bathroom. A deep clean reaches what builds up out of sight: grease on cupboard fronts and the cooker hood, limescale on tiles and taps, dust on skirting boards and light fittings, and the dirt behind and under furniture. It takes longer and is booked as a one-off. Our deep cleaning service page has the full checklist we work to.
Room by room
Kitchen
- worktops, the sink, taps and splashback tiles
- the hob and the outside of the cooker hood
- the outside of every appliance, wiped and polished
- cupboard fronts, and the tops of wall cupboards
- inside the cupboards, once they are emptied (this adds time)
- the floor, including the edges and under the kickboards where reachable
Inside the oven, the fridge and the freezer are separate jobs that can be added. So can window cleaning, when the job needs it; not every window is included, so ask.
Bathroom
- descaling wall and floor tiles, taps and the shower head
- the shower screen and tiles, and the bath
- the toilet, including behind and around the pipes and under the seat
- the basin, vanity unit and mirror
- the extractor fan and vent, which in a flat bathroom without a window does a lot of work
Living room and bedrooms
- skirting boards, doors and door frames
- light switches, sockets and light fittings, without removing them
- window sills on the inside, and blinds
- cobwebs from ceilings and corners
- vacuuming and mopping throughout, including under furniture that can be moved
Hallway and storage
The hallway takes the most foot traffic in a flat and the storage cupboard collects whatever has nowhere else to go. Both are easy to forget and quick to finish once cleared.
Carpets are cleaned with a different method and equipment; if they need it, carpet cleaning can be booked alongside the deep clean.
Things to plan in a flat
A house has a front door and a drive. A flat has a building around it, and that brings a few practical questions:
- Parking: is there a visitor space, a permit, or a pay-and-display nearby? Cleaners arrive with equipment, so nearby parking saves time.
- Getting in: how do the cleaners enter the building and the flat? Arrange a fob, a code or someone to let them in.
- Lifts and stairs: if there is no lift, mention it, as it affects how equipment is brought up.
- Building rules: some blocks restrict noise or working hours, or the use of shared areas. Check before you book a time.
- Shared areas: a deep clean of your flat covers your flat. Corridors, stairs and bin stores are usually the managing agent’s responsibility.
How often is it worth doing?
For a flat that is cleaned regularly, about once a year keeps on top of the hidden build-up. A flat with pets, a busy household or poor ventilation may need it more often. A flat between tenants needs one at each change. For a fuller answer, see how often to deep clean.
If you are a tenant moving out, the clean you need is an end of tenancy clean, which works to what landlords and letting agents check at the inventory.
Preparing for the clean
- Clear worktops, the bathroom shelves and the floor as far as you can, so the time goes on cleaning.
- Empty any cupboards you want cleaned inside.
- If the fridge or freezer is part of the job, empty it and switch the freezer off to defrost the day before.
- Tell us about delicate surfaces, such as wooden floors or a stone worktop.
- Sort out keys, fobs, parking and any building rules in advance.
For a room-by-room list you can tick off yourself, see the full deep cleaning checklist.
To book a deep clean of your flat, call 01483 773531 or send us a message. We clean seven days a week.