What Do Cleaning Services Include? Inside the Checklists, Standards, and Decision Process

When considering professional cleaning for your home, office, or rental property, a common question arises: What do cleaning services include? Understanding the specific services, checklists, techniques, and hygiene practices used by experienced cleaning teams can help you choose confidently—and set the right expectations for what gets done. In this guide, you’ll find a clear breakdown of the core elements included in professional cleaning, from standard and deep-clean options to specialized services, preparation steps, safety protocols, and how to compare providers. Whether you’re booking for a busy family, managing tenants, or keeping a business spotless, you’ll discover what to expect so you can make informed decisions every time.

Breaking Down the Core: What’s Generally Included in Professional Cleaning?

Professional cleaning services vary in scope, but most fall within certain standardized checklists designed to address high-touch surfaces, common living and working areas, bathrooms, kitchens, and floors. Here’s what’s commonly included:

• Dusting: Surface dusting of furniture, shelves, décor, windowsills, and reachable vents;
• Vacuuming: Carpets, rugs, upholstered surfaces, and hard floors;
• Mopping: Hard floors, with proper products for tile, laminate, or wood surfaces;
• Trash Removal: Emptying waste baskets, relining bins, and disposing of trash responsibly;
• Bathroom Cleaning: Toilets, sinks, mirrors, showers, tubs, and fixtures thoroughly disinfected;
• Kitchen Cleaning: Surfaces, sinks, appliance exteriors, stovetop, backsplash, and cabinet fronts wiped down;
• High-Touch Areas: Light switches, door handles, railings, and remotes sanitized;
• Spot Cleaning: Removal of minor marks from walls and doors;

This is the “general clean” checklist—ideal for recurring appointments. Each category is adapted based on whether it’s a home, office, Airbnb, or specialty facility.

Residential vs. Commercial Cleaning: Key Differences and Overlaps

While both residential and commercial cleaning emphasize health, hygiene, and appearance, their checklists and standards differ based on usage, traffic, and regulatory needs.

Commercial cleaning often expands to cover lobby areas, elevators, stairwells, restrooms with higher turnover, and requires advanced disinfection methods and compliance.

Deep Cleaning: What Goes Beyond Routine Service?

A deep clean means going further than the basics. This periodic intensive service includes:

• Moving and cleaning behind/under furniture and appliances;
• Baseboards, ceiling fans, vents, blinds thoroughly cleaned;
• Tile grout scrubbed, soap scum and scale removed in bathrooms/kitchens;
• Cabinet interiors, drawers, and closets wiped out;
• Detailed attention to fixture hardware and light fittings;
• Thorough fridge/oven cleaning (if specified);
• Extra stain and buildup removal;

Deep cleaning is commonly booked for spring, post-renovation, hosting events, or turnover between tenants. Read about deep cleaning service options from Quick Cleaning for detailed scope.

Special Facility Cleaning: Airbnbs, Restaurants, Medical, and More

Special facilities require checklists matching unique risks and regulations:

• Airbnb/Vacation Rentals: Resetting beds, laundering linens, restocking essentials, inspecting for forgotten items, and following Airbnb cleaning checklist preferences;
• Medical & Dental Offices: Strict surface disinfection, biohazard waste handling, and adherence to EPA registered disinfectants and protocols;
• Restaurants: Hard surface sanitizing, food-area compliance, degreasing kitchen equipment, and floor disinfection as outlined by health departments;
• Gyms/Spas: Locker rooms, shared equipment, frequent touchpoints, and anti-microbial cleaning;

Each specialty space brings regulations and standards that a qualified cleaning company should meet consistently.

Room-by-Room Cleaning: Detailed Task Lists Homeowners Should Know

• Entryways: Sweep, mop, wipe down door hardware, dust baseboards;
• Living Areas: Dust electronics, wipe switches, vacuum upholstery, clean shelving and coffee tables;
• Bathrooms: Scrub toilets, tubs, tile surfaces; polish mirrors, sanitize knobs and handles;
• Kitchens: Wipe countertops, cabinet fronts, appliance exteriors, appliance handles, and sink fixtures;
• Bedrooms: Change bed linens, dust window frames, clear under the bed, spot clean doors;
• Laundry Room: Clean washer/dryer exteriors, empty lint trays, mop floors;

These checklists should be adapted for each space for optimal results and hygiene.

Office and Commercial Cleaning: What Professionals Tackle

• Cleaning lobby/common areas, receptionist desks, partition walls;
• Vacuuming and mopping high-traffic halls and conference rooms;
• Disinfecting phones, keyboards, printers, and shared electronics;
• Stocking paper supplies in restrooms and kitchens;
• Emptying trash and recycling, including confidential bins;
• Window, glass, and sign cleaning as contracted;

See this commercial cleaning checklist for industry benchmarks.

Cleaning Products and Equipment: What Should a Reputable Company Use?

Experienced providers like Quick Cleaning select cleaning agents suitable for the surfaces, occupancy, and safety needs of your property:

• Professional-Grade Disinfectants: Especially for bathrooms, kitchens, medical, and food spaces;
• Microfiber Cloths and Mops: Trap dust and reduce allergens more efficiently than cotton alternatives;
• Color-Coded Supplies: Reduce risk of cross-contamination between restrooms and other areas;
• HEPA Vacuums: Improve indoor air quality, especially for allergy-sensitive properties;
• Specialty Products: Green or chemical-free products, if requested by the client;

Compliance with recommended EPA disinfectants is key to healthy, effective cleaning (see EPA list).

Preparation Steps: How to Get Ready for a Cleaning Appointment

• Secure valuables and sensitive papers out of cleaning areas;
• Provide clear guidance on restricted rooms or special instructions;
• Set pets in a designated room or notify cleaners about pets on premises;
• If possible, clear excessive clutter to maximize the impact of your provider’s cleaning time;
• Share entry instructions and parking details ahead of time;

For more pre-visit tips, check these preparation guidelines.

Cleaning Frequency: Routine, Deep, and Specialty Scheduling Explained

The right cleaning routine balances budget, property use, hygiene needs, and lifestyle. Here’s a comparison:

• Weekly or Bi-Weekly: Maintains health and tidiness for families, busy homes, or high-traffic offices;
• Monthly: Suitable for low-traffic offices, seldom-used spaces, or as a supplement to in-house cleaning;
• Quarterly or Seasonally: Recommended for deep cleaning or event hosting preparation;
• After Move-Out or Renovation: Comprehensive reset before new occupancy;
• On-Demand/Same Day: Emergency situations or fast turnovers (see same-day cleaning);

Your provider should help match service type and frequency to your property’s unique needs, with flexible add-ons for changing requirements.

Health, Hygiene, and Safety Standards in Professional Cleaning

Modern cleaning companies embrace evolving hygiene protocols, including:

• Trained staff using consistent checklists and time-tracking tools;
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) for cleaners (especially in medical and high-risk spaces);
• Color-coded cloths for reducing germ transfer between restrooms, kitchens, and offices;
• Safe handling and storage of cleaning chemicals;
• Adherence to advanced infection prevention standards in regulated industries;

Reputable services are insured, background-check staff, and encourage client feedback for continuous improvement. Ask what standards a provider follows for peace of mind.

How to Compare and Evaluate Cleaning Companies: Key Questions

1. What specific tasks are included (and excluded) in your standard, deep, and move-out cleaning packages?
2. What products and equipment do you use? Green/eco-friendly available?
3. Do you have experience with homes/offices/short-term rentals similar to mine?
4. What insurance, licensing, and staff vetting do you have?
5. Do you provide written checklists and follow-up communication?
6. Is scheduling flexible, and can service be customized?

For commercial spaces, see this full evaluation framework to assess fit and reliability.

Common Add-On Services: What May Not Be Included

• Carpet steam cleaning, upholstery shampooing, or floor waxing;
• Window washing (especially exterior or multi-story);
• Inside oven, fridge, or cabinetry (unless specified);
• Basement/garage/outdoor area cleaning;
• Organizing, decluttering, or disposal of large junk;

Always review your provider’s service list to avoid misunderstanding and ensure needs are addressed.

Step-by-Step: What to Expect During a Cleaning Appointment

1. Staff arrives (uniformed, often in teams of 2-3);
2. Walkthrough (if first-time) to discuss special requests or areas needing attention;
3. Staff sets up equipment and begins cleaning top-to-bottom, by area, following a checklist;
4. Supervisor performs quality check or client invited to do a final walkthrough;
5. Completion note left behind or digital checklist report sent by email;

This transparent process keeps results predictable, and helps maintain long-term satisfaction.

Decision Framework: Choosing the Right Cleaning Service for Your Needs

• Recurring Cleaning: Needed for maintaining order in busy homes, large families, or shared office spaces;
• Deep Cleaning: Consider when moving in/out, post-renovation, or after prolonged gaps between cleanings;
• Move-Out/Turnover: Reliable cleaning for tenants, landlords, and Airbnb hosts before new guests arrive;
• Special Facility Cleaning: Partner with specialists for medical, restaurant, or childcare settings where hygienic compliance is critical;

Quick Cleaning can build a customized plan for situations ranging from single apartments to office complexes and specialized venues.

Professional Cleaning Checklists: At-a-Glance Comparison

• Standard Clean: General dust, vacuum, mop, wipe key surfaces, wipe appliances, quick bathroom/kitchen focus;
• Deep Clean: All standard tasks plus fixtures, behind appliances, baseboards, extra time/detail;
• Move-Out: Detailed reset, inside appliances/cabinets, spot paint touch-ups (if offered);
• Commercial Facility: Lobby, high-traffic, staff kitchens/bathrooms, electronics/disinfection, after-hours availability;

See this commercial cleaning checklist for more examples and downloadable lists.

Red Flags and Gaps: What Quality Cleaners Always Address

• Clear, written scope and checklist before work begins;
• Uniformed/trained staff who follow protocols and adapt to sensitive spaces;
• Accessible, transparent pricing before, not after, the job;
• Follow-up for feedback and service improvements;
• Proof of insurance and safe product usage;

Read more about what to check when hiring a cleaning company or evaluating janitorial providers.

Frequently Asked Questions: What Do Cleaning Services Include?

Are cleaning supplies included with professional cleaning services?

Most reputable providers bring all necessary equipment and products. Specified eco/specialty products can be requested in advance.

What is the difference between a standard cleaning and a deep cleaning?

A standard cleaning covers regular dusting, vacuuming, and surface wipe-downs. Deep cleaning targets corners, behind/under furniture, build-up removal, and often includes inside appliances.

Is laundry or dishwashing usually included in cleaning service packages?

Simple tasks like loading/unloading dishwashers or refreshing linens are sometimes included for recurring/residential clients; full laundry is typically an additional service. Check the provider’s scope.

Do I need to be home during the cleaning?

No. Most clients provide entry instructions or lock codes. Doing a walkthrough before/after is helpful for new clients.

How do I prepare my home/office for cleaning?

Store valuables, clarify restricted areas, and ensure access. Removing excess clutter helps the cleaning team maximize their time on actual cleaning, not tidying.

How are products chosen for different surfaces?

Professionals use surface-appropriate products recommended by manufacturers and EPA lists for disinfecting (see EPA registered disinfectants).

What special precautions are used for medical, dental, or childcare facilities?

Color-coded tools, staff PPE, and strict checklists are essential—and companies should follow infection prevention best practices.

Can I customize my service checklist?

Yes. Talk with your provider about priorities, frequency, and any specialty concerns to tailor the service.

In Summary: Making Cleaning Services Work for Your Space

Choosing the right provider starts with understanding what cleaning services include—from the standard task lists and deep clean extras to specialty protocols, hygiene, and safety standards tailored for every space. Checklists should be transparent, staff trained and insured, and products appropriate to your needs. Whether managing a home, office, or specialized facility in Chicago, this guide helps equip you with the right questions and decisions for cleaner, healthier spaces.

Ready to experience a higher cleaning standard? Explore recurring, deep, or move-out cleaning options with Quick Cleaning’s professional team.

About Quick Cleaning

Quick Cleaning helps households and businesses in Chicago, Illinois, and nearby areas keep their spaces clean and healthy. With a focus on recurring house cleaning, deep cleaning, move out cleaning, office and special facility cleaning, their trained staff use detailed checklists and professional products for consistent, reliable results. Transparent communication, flexible scheduling, and a priority on long-term client relationships set Quick Cleaning apart for homeowners, landlords, Airbnb hosts, property managers, and business owners seeking complete peace of mind.

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