A regular house cleaning, sometimes called a maintenance cleaning, covers the work that keeps a home in good shape week to week: dusting, kitchen counters and sink, bathrooms top to bottom, vacuuming, and mopping. Deeper tasks like inside the oven, inside the fridge, wiping every baseboard, and washing walls are usually add-ons. Knowing the difference before your first visit saves a lot of "I thought you'd do that" moments.
Here's exactly how it breaks down at Cleaning by Jen.
The kitchen
This is where most of the time goes. On a maintenance visit we:
• Dust and clean the counters
• Wipe the outside of countertop appliances like the toaster and coffee maker
• Clean inside the microwave
• Scrub the sink and faucet
• Spot clean the backsplash and spot wipe the cabinet fronts
• Wipe the outside of the big appliances
• Clean the window over the sink if you have one
• Empty the trash, vacuum, and mop
What's not included: the inside of the fridge, freezer, and oven, and a full detail of every cabinet door. Those are available as upgrades.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms get a full going-over every time. Countertops, sinks, and mirrors. The toilet inside and out. Tubs and showers scrubbed. Baseboards wiped, cabinets spot wiped, trash emptied, floors vacuumed and mopped.
Living areas and bedrooms
Living rooms, dining rooms, family rooms, and bedrooms get general dusting, including ceiling fans we can reach. We dust and wipe furniture, clean glass tabletops, clean the inside of the door wall glass, straighten pillows, fold blankets, and make the beds. Then vacuuming and mopping.
Blinds and baseboards are dusted on a rotation, so they get attention regularly without adding time to every single visit.
Sheet changes are available for an extra charge. Just leave the clean set out where we can find it.
Quick reference: included vs. upgrade
Our full list lives on the maintenance cleaning page if you want to see it all in one place.
What won't a cleaning team do?
Every company has limits, and it's better to know them up front. Ours are pretty standard for residential cleaning:
We don't climb above a two-step ladder. That's a safety rule. High spots like vaulted ceiling fans or a tall chandelier get an extension duster instead of a hand wipe.
We don't move large furniture. We'll reach under and behind what we can by hand or with a duster, but the couch and dresser stay put.
Mini blinds are tricky. We dust them, but we can't guarantee results on heavily built-up blinds. Hand washing them is a separate upgrade.
Expect a little dust to resettle after we leave. We try hard to keep it out of the air, but some always floats back down once the house is quiet.
When does a regular clean not cut it?
If your home hasn't been professionally cleaned in a while, a maintenance visit can only do so much. Soap scum that's been building for months or grease on top of the cabinets needs more time than a regular visit allows. That's what our Deluxe Deep Clean is for. A lot of clients book one deep clean to get things reset, then switch to maintenance cleaning to keep it that way.
Frequently asked questions
Can I swap tasks around from visit to visit?
Yes. If you want us to skip a room one week and spend extra time on the kitchen, tell us. We learn how you like things done over the first few visits.
Will the same team come every time?
We aim for consistency because it means less explaining on your end. Ask about it when you book.
Do I need to be home?
No. Many of our clients give us a key or door code and come home to a clean house.
Book your first cleaning
We clean homes throughout Chesterfield, Harrison Township, St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, and the rest of our service area. Call (586) 648-0510 or request a free quote and tell us which add-ons you're curious about.
About the author
Jen Jones owns Cleaning by Jen, a family-owned cleaning company based in Chesterfield Township, Michigan. She has been in business for over 10 years, cleaning homes across Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair counties, and has earned 277 five-star Google reviews from local families.
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• How Often Should You Actually Have Your House Professionally Cleaned? | Picking the right frequency for your household.