Housekeeping: "Cleaning" vs "Deep Cleaning"

[Ali Gator]

I've been looking for a weekly or bi-weekly house cleaner the past few months (preferably a muscled young hunk who won't mind going shirtless, but that will never happen!). The woman I currently have for the past year or so is moving back to the DR, and I am going to miss her.

I live alone, I clean up after myself, do my own laundry, etc. I explain to them all I need is the bathroom and kitchen done at this time, and after a few visits I'll see if I'm happy with them and continue with the living room and bedrooms. I also tell them I have no carpeting, all original hardwoods (from 1950), and I haven't used my stove / oven in years (seriously), so I don't need them to clean the oven (I use microwave and air fryer for what little cooking I do).

The few people I called and inquired about their services this past week all said they can come by and do a 'deep cleaning' every other week. I've been hearing "deep cleaning" thrown around since COVID when everyone became a germ-a-phobe. I don't think I need a 'deep cleaning' - more of a surface cleaning (tile walls, countertops, tub/toilet/sink in the bathroom, mopping floors). I know they charge more for a 'deep cleaning' but they never really explain what it is (it's all word-salad when they explain).

Does anyone know the difference between 'Deep Cleaning' and a 'Regular Cleaning' these days ?

It reminds me of the 80s and 90s, when the word 'gourmet' was trendy. Every sandwich shop that opened in my city called itself a 'gourmet deli' and was serving up the same foods as the next-door deli which had been in business for 50 years. Same tuna salad (mayo and chopped celery) on wheat bread with lettuce and tomato. Only the 'gourmet' deli was charging a few dollars more for their sandwiches (all the gourmet delis are now a thing of the distant past).

[KeepItReal]

40 minutes ago, Ali Gator said:

I've been looking for a weekly or bi-weekly house cleaner the past few months (preferably a muscled young hunk who won't mind going shirtless, but that will never happen!). The woman I currently have for the past year or so is moving back to the DR, and I am going to miss her.

I live alone, I clean up after myself, do my own laundry, etc. I explain to them all I need is the bathroom and kitchen done at this time, and after a few visits I'll see if I'm happy with them and continue with the living room and bedrooms. I also tell them I have no carpeting, all original hardwoods (from 1950), and I haven't used my stove / oven in years (seriously), so I don't need them to clean the oven (I use microwave and air fryer for what little cooking I do).

The few people I called and inquired about their services this past week all said they can come by and do a 'deep cleaning' every other week. I've been hearing "deep cleaning" thrown around since COVID when everyone became a germ-a-phobe. I don't think I need a 'deep cleaning' - more of a surface cleaning (tile walls, countertops, tub/toilet/sink in the bathroom, mopping floors). I know they charge more for a 'deep cleaning' but they never really explain what it is (it's all word-salad when they explain).

Does anyone know the difference between 'Deep Cleaning' and a 'Regular Cleaning' these days ?

It reminds me of the 80s and 90s, when the word 'gourmet' was trendy. Every sandwich shop that opened in my city called itself a 'gourmet deli' and was serving up the same foods as the next-door deli which had been in business for 50 years. Same tuna salad (mayo and chopped celery) on wheat bread with lettuce and tomato. Only the 'gourmet' deli was charging a few dollars more for their sandwiches (all the gourmet delis are now a thing of the distant past).

I regularly clean my teeth (brush and floss). I go to the dentist twice a year for a deep clean. Perhaps think about what they are offering in that context.  Unless you have 4 children, 2 dogs, a cat and a slob for a husband, you don't need a deep clean that often. They are probably just using the term to jack up the price. Ask them what they mean...only way to really know.

[Ali Gator]

1 hour ago, KeepItReal said:

I regularly clean my teeth (brush and floss). I go to the dentist twice a year for a deep clean. Perhaps think about what they are offering in that context.  Unless you have 4 children, 2 dogs, a cat and a slob for a husband, you don't need a deep clean that often. They are probably just using the term to jack up the price. Ask them what they mean...only way to really know.

Agree with what you say. I don't think I need a 'deep clean' either. I have asked them what they mean, and as I said in my OP - I get a word salad from them. They never really explain what they offer in a 'deep clean'. But I will try again and keep asking until they give me a satisfied answer.

Just like the tuna sandwich analogy - I want a tuna sandwich. Please don't attach the word 'gourmet' to it, and add an extra couple of dollars to it.

[samhexum]

2 hours ago, Ali Gator said:

I've been looking for a weekly or bi-weekly house cleaner the past few months (preferably a muscled young hunk who won't mind going shirtless).

you're welcome...

 

[pubic_assistance]

4 hours ago, Ali Gator said:

Does anyone know the difference between 'Deep Cleaning' and a 'Regular Cleaning' these days ?

I request a "deep clean" when one of my tenants moves out. They are all professionals and most have weekky (or biweekly) housekeepers...But a year or two of just wiping things down, leaves build up in corners and there are areas that always get overlooked like inside cabinets, behind the refrigerator and inside the refrigerator.  It's sometimes shocking how gross people's kitchen and bath can be when they use mediocre maid services.

I would say a deep clean is the same as the old "Spring Cleaning". Once a year, you take everything off the shelves and pull out the rug and curtains to get the dirt that is usually overlooked.

[samhexum]

38 minutes ago, pubic_assistance said:

I would say a deep clean is the same as the old "Spring Cleaning". Once a year, you take everything off the shelves and pull out the rug and curtains to get the dirt that is usually overlooked.

Sorry to be so critical, but your typing is atrocious.  How did you manage to type 'year' when you obviously meant to type 'century'?

[Ali Gator]

1 hour ago, pubic_assistance said:

I request a "deep clean" when one of my tenants moves out. They are all professionals and most have weekky (or biweekly) housekeepers...But a year or two of just wiping things down, leaves build up in corners and there are areas that always get overlooked like inside cabinets, behind the refrigerator and inside the refrigerator.  It's sometimes shocking how gross people's kitchen and bath can be when they use mediocre maid services.

I would say a deep clean is the same as the old "Spring Cleaning". Once a year, you take everything off the shelves and pull out the rug and curtains to get the dirt that is usually overlooked.

Thank You for this ! 

[Ali Gator]

3 hours ago, samhexum said:

you're welcome...

 

Where can I find him ? 

[+ Notor]

Deep cleaning means they move the big stuff like the couch etc to clean under? My thought!

[+ poolboy48220]

Back when my mother was alive, before a family visit I'd do what I called a "mom clean", much more rigorous than my normal (sporadic? 😁) vacuuming and dusting. 

[Luv2play]

It’s interesting that we still use the term “ spring cleaning” in the 21st century. If you read the history of our grandparent’s era and before them in the 19th century, winter was a time when heating was done by either wood or later coal furnaces and stoves. By the spring time there was soot everywhere in the house. 
Add to that  the heavy draperies and carpeting that the Victorians favoured and the smoking of pipes and later cigarettes, it was incumbent on the person running the household to do a thorough cleaning when spring arrived. 
Today there is less seasonality to interior cleaning although the need still applies outdoors especially in the northern climes. 
I have done my own housecleaning for ages and only do a thorough cleaning a couple of time a year. That means pulling out the stove especially since it is not built in. I do a lot of cooking and the mess that accumulates behind and under it is amazing. Same with heavy furniture cabinets and sofas etc where dust accumulates over time in these hidden spaces.

If you have pets, as I did for years, more frequent cleaning is necessary. The OP sounds like he doesn’t need deep cleaning very often. 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

22 hours ago, Luv2play said:

It’s interesting that we still use the term “ spring cleaning” in the 21st century.

I always schedule to have my windows and screens professionally cleaned every March 21, on the vernal equinox.  I figure now that the sun will be out for over 12 hours each day, I want to have clean windows to enjoy it.

[+ Jamie21]

I’d say it’s the difference between using a bulb and using the shower attachment….. 😉

[jeezifonly]

1 hour ago, Jamie21 said:

I’d say it’s the difference between using a bulb and using the shower attachment….. 😉

Which, of course, is determined by the number of guests, the duration of visit, and how deeply they’re planning to explore the place. 😅