Deep Cleaning vs Regular Cleaning: What's the Difference?

Deep Cleaning vs Regular Cleaning: What

When booking a cleaning service, you’ll often see options for “regular cleaning” and “deep cleaning.” Is there really a difference, or is it just marketing?

We get this question constantly from homeowners across Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

Understanding the distinction matters because choosing the wrong service can leave you disappointed—either with a home that isn’t clean enough or a bill that’s higher than necessary. You don’t want to pay for a full restoration when you just need a touch-up.

Let’s break down exactly how these services differ, looking at the specific tasks, costs in Ringgit Malaysia (RM), and which one your home actually needs right now.

The Simple Explanation

Think of the difference like caring for your car.

Regular cleaning is like an express car wash. It washes away the visible dirt, wipes the windows, and vacuums the mats to keep things looking sharp day-to-day.

Deep cleaning is the full auto detailing. This involves shampooing the seats, polishing the rims, waxing the paint, and cleaning the engine bay to make the car look and feel brand new again.

Both are essential, but you wouldn’t pay for a full detailing every single week.

Regular Cleaning: What’s Included

Regular (or maintenance) cleaning covers the essential tasks that keep your home presentable and hygienic.

We designed this service for busy professionals and families who need to keep chaos at bay. It focuses on the surfaces you touch and see daily.

Kitchen

• Surface Wiping: Countertops, stove surfaces, and dining tables.
• Exterior Appliance Cleaning: Wiping down the fridge and oven doors.
• Sink & Fixtures: Washing and polishing the sink tap and basin.
• Floors: Sweeping and mopping (crucial for our tiled Malaysian homes).
• Trash: Emptying bins and replacing liners.

Bathrooms

• Sanitization: Cleaning the toilet bowl and seat.
• Showers: Wiping down shower screens and bathtub surfaces.
• Vanity: Cleaning the sink, counter, and polishing the mirror.
• Floors: Mopping and drying to prevent water spots.

Living Areas & Bedrooms

• Dusting: Wiping accessible surfaces like TV consoles, shelves, and side tables.
• Floors: Vacuuming carpets and mopping hard floors.
• Beds: Straightening sheets or making beds (if requested).
• General Tidying: Organizing cushions and clearing light clutter.

Time Required

• Studio/1BR (approx. 500-800 sqft): 1.5 - 2 hours
• 2BR Condo (approx. 900-1,200 sqft): 2 - 3 hours
• 3BR Condo/Terrace (1,200+ sqft): 3 - 4 hours

Deep Cleaning: What’s Included

Our deep cleaning service includes everything in a regular clean PLUS intensive work on areas that accumulate hidden grime over time.

This service targets the specific challenges of Malaysian homes, such as mold from humidity, dust clumps on ceiling fans, and grease from heavy cooking.

Kitchen (Additional Tasks)

• Inside Appliances: Scrubbing the interior of the oven, refrigerator, and microwave.
• Grease Removal: Degreasing the exhaust hood and filter (vital for Asian kitchens).
• Cabinet Interiors: Wiping inside shelves and drawers to remove dust or pest droppings.
• Hidden Areas: Cleaning behind movable appliances and under the sink.
• Grout: Scrubbing backsplash tiles to remove cooking splashes.

Bathrooms (Additional Tasks)

• Grout & Tile Scrubbing: Removing mold and soap scum buildup from floor and wall tiles.
• Descaling: Removing hard water stains from showerheads and taps.
• Ventilation: Cleaning the exhaust fan covers.
• Detailed Sanitization: Scrubbing behind the toilet and treating mold spots.

Living Areas & Bedrooms (Additional Tasks)

• Ceiling Fans: Thoroughly wiping blades to remove stuck-on dust.
• Window Tracks: Vacuuming and wiping tracks to remove haze dust and insect debris.
• High Dusting: Cleaning air vents, cornices, and light fixtures.
• Furniture Details: Moving light furniture to clean underneath and behind.
• Doors & Frames: Wiping down door frames, handles, and skirting boards.
• Balcony: Scrubbing the floor to remove outdoor grime (often overlooked).

Time Required

• Studio/1BR: 3 - 4 hours
• 2BR: 4 - 5 hours
• 3BR: 5 - 6 hours
• 4BR+: 6 - 8 hours (may require a team of 2-3 cleaners)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect	Regular Cleaning	Deep Cleaning
Purpose	Maintain cleanliness	Restore cleanliness
Frequency	Weekly / Bi-weekly	Quarterly / Seasonal
Cleaning Team	Typically 1 cleaner	Team of 2-3 cleaners
Equipment	Basic supplies (mop, vacuum)	Heavy-duty (steamers, ladders)
Cost (Est.)	RM80 - RM150 per session	RM350 - RM900+ per session
Inside Cabinets	No	Yes
Ceiling Fans	Dusting only (low reach)	Hand-wiping blades
Window Tracks	No	Yes
Grout Scrubbing	Surface clean	Intensive scrub

When to Choose Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning is your best bet for ongoing maintenance.

Choose this option if:

• Your home is generally tidy: You just need help with the weekly chores.
• You want consistent upkeep: You prefer preventing mess rather than curing it.
• You are budget-conscious: You need an affordable recurring service.
• You need a quick refresh: Guests are coming over this weekend.

Ideal Regular Cleaning Schedule

Household Type	Recommended Frequency
Single person, rarely home	Every 2-3 weeks
Couple, no kids	Every 2 weeks
Family with young kids	Weekly
Family with pets	Weekly
High humidity areas (mold risk)	Weekly

When to Choose Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning is a “reset” button for your home.

You should book this service if:

• It’s your first time: You are starting with a new cleaning service.
• It’s been a while: You haven’t had a professional clean in 3+ months.
• Festive preparation: You are getting ready for Hari Raya, CNY, or Deepavali.
• Moving in/out: You need an empty unit restored for a deposit refund or new tenancy.
• Health concerns: Someone in the house has allergies to dust mites or mold.
• Post-Renovation: You need to remove fine construction dust.

Recommended Deep Cleaning Frequency

Household Type	Deep Clean Frequency
Standard home	Every 3-4 months
High-traffic home	Every 2-3 months
Allergy sufferers	Every 2-3 months
Homes with pets	Every 2-3 months
Before major events	As needed

The Best Approach: Combine Both

Most cleaning professionals in Malaysia recommend a “1+Maintain” strategy.

This method is the most cost-effective way to keep a 5-star standard year-round:

1. Start with a deep clean: Get your home to a baseline level of perfect cleanliness.
2. Maintain with regular cleaning: Keep it at that standard with weekly or bi-weekly visits.
3. Schedule periodic deep cleans: Reset the hidden areas every 3-6 months.

This approach ensures your home stays consistently clean without you paying the higher deep cleaning rate every time.

Sample Annual Plan

Month	Service Type
January	Deep Clean (CNY Prep)
February	Regular
March	Regular
April	Deep Clean (Hari Raya Prep)
May	Regular
June	Regular
July	Deep Clean (Mid-Year Reset)
August	Regular
September	Regular
October	Deep Clean (Deepavali/Year-End)
November	Regular
December	Regular

Cost Comparison Over a Year

Let’s look at the numbers for a standard 3-bedroom condo (approx. 1,200 sqft) in the Klang Valley.

Deep Clean Only (4x/year)

• 4 sessions × ~RM450 = RM1,800/year
• Downside: Dirt accumulates in the long gaps between sessions, leaving your home messy for weeks at a time.

Regular Clean Only (Bi-weekly)

• 26 sessions × ~RM100 = RM2,600/year
• Downside: Grease builds up in the kitchen hood and dust collects on fans, eventually requiring a costly restoration.

The Balanced “Smart” Approach

• 2 Deep Cleans (e.g., CNY & Raya) × RM450 = RM900
• 24 Regular Cleans (Bi-weekly) × RM100 = RM2,400
• Total: ~RM3,300/year
• Result: This offers the best value. Your home is consistently guest-ready, and appliances last longer because they are maintained.

Common Misconceptions

”I need a deep clean every time”

Not usually.

If you maintain your home well, paying for a deep clean every week is unnecessary spending. Regular cleaning is sufficient to keep a well-maintained home sparkling.

”Regular cleaning will eventually equal deep cleaning”

This is false.

Regular cleaning maintains the status quo. It will never tackle the grease inside your oven or the grime in your window tracks, no matter how many times you do it.

”Deep cleaning is just regular cleaning that takes longer”

Incorrect.

Deep cleaning requires different tools, stronger cleaning agents, and a different skill set. It involves climbing ladders to reach fans, scrubbing grout lines by hand, and moving furniture.

”I can just ask my part-time maid to deep clean”

Most freelance part-time maids are equipped for maintenance cleaning only.

They typically lack the heavy-duty equipment (like steam cleaners or industrial vacuums) and the specific training required for a true deep clean restoration.

Questions to Ask Your Cleaning Service

Before you book, ask these questions to ensure you get what you pay for:

1. “Does your deep clean include inside cabinets and appliances?” (Some companies charge extra for this).
2. “Do you bring your own equipment and chemicals?” (Deep cleaning crews should; regular cleaners often use yours).
3. “Is deep cleaning charged by the hour or a flat rate?” (Flat rates are safer so the crew doesn’t rush).
4. “How many cleaners will you send?” (Deep cleaning usually requires a team, not a solo cleaner).
5. “Do you wipe window tracks and ceiling fans?” (These are critical deep clean tasks in Malaysia).

The Bottom Line

Both regular and deep cleaning serve important, distinct purposes.

• Regular cleaning = Maintenance (Keeps a clean home clean).
• Deep cleaning = Restoration (Gets a dirty home clean).

For the best results, use deep cleaning to establish a high baseline of cleanliness, then use regular cleaning to protect that investment.

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Not sure which service you need? Contact 22 Cleaning Service for a free assessment. We’ll recommend the right approach for your home. Get your quote.