How Long Does It Take to Clean a House Professionally?

Published March 25, 2024 by Green Kleaning Services, LLC

Ever wonder why it feels like it takes forever to clean your house, while professional cleaners seem to do it in a flash? There’s more to professional house cleaning than meets the eye. Enter into the world of professional cleaning and try to answer the question: How long does it take to clean a house professionally?

Understanding Professional House Cleaning

The efficiency of professional house cleaners stems from their blend of expertise, advanced equipment, and personalized cleaning plans. Their ability to transform a house from messy to immaculate in a short span is nothing short of magical. But it’s not just about speed. It’s about delivering a thorough, deep clean that leaves no stone unturned - or, in this case, no dust bunny hiding under the couch.

Professionals leverage their understanding of regular home cleaning nuances to tailor cleaning plans fitting the homeowner’s schedule and preferences. Whether it’s a typical house cleaning or a more intensive post construction cleaning, the goal is to house professionally, providing a clean, healthy, and comfortable living environment.

Expertise and Equipment

A range of skills distinguishes professional cleaners. They know which cleaning materials and equipment to use, are masters at customer service, and pay close attention to details. This combination of skills allows them to run a successful cleaning business and deliver top-notch results to their clients.

Cleaning extends beyond the simple use of a mop and a bucket. Professional cleaners come equipped with an arsenal of tools designed to banish dirt and grime. Some essential tools for professional cleaners include:

• Microfiber cloths

• Melamine foam

• High-quality vacuum cleaners

• A disinfecting cloth

They have everything they need to ensure a germ-free environment. And yes, they bring their own equipment, even for specific tasks like carpet cleaning.

Customized Cleaning Plans

Each home is unique and requires a distinct approach to cleaning. That’s where customized cleaning plans come into play. These plans, tailored to each homeowner’s specific needs and preferences, ensure that every part of the house receives the attention it deserves. Tasks included in the cleaning plan may include:

• Sweeping floors

• Cleaning bathrooms

• Watering plants

• Scrubbing kitchen sinks

With a customized cleaning plan, every task is accounted for.

Professional house cleaning services offer the following benefits:

• They invest time in comprehending the unique needs and preferences of their clients.

• They create customized cleaning plans that not only meet but often exceed the standards and requirements set by the clients.

• Homeowners can rest easy knowing that their home is in capable hands with a reliable cleaning service.

Factors Affecting Cleaning Time

Despite the seeming effortlessness of professional cleaners, multiple factors influence the time it takes for professional house cleaning. The size of the house, the level of clutter, and the presence of pets or children are all factors that can add to the cleaning time.

Given the more extensive space, larger homes inevitably require more cleaning time. Similarly, clutter can slow down the cleaning process as it requires additional time to organize and clear spaces. And if pets or children are part of the equation, the messes they create can mean extra cleaning time for the professionals.

House Size

The house size significantly impacts the duration of professional cleaning. Larger homes have more rooms and space, which means more ground to cover, more surfaces to clean, and consequently, more time needed to get the job done.

For instance, a small house or a one-bedroom apartment can take anywhere from 1 1/2 hours for a basic cleaning to 4 to 8 hours for a deep cleaning. On the other hand, a large house typically requires around three hours for basic cleaning. So if you’re wondering why it takes longer to clean your large home compared to your friend’s small apartment, now you know.

Level of Clutter

Clutter significantly increases the cleaning time. When there’s a lot of clutter, cleaners have to spend extra time organizing and clearing spaces before they can even start the actual cleaning process.

The types of clutter that can significantly slow down the cleaning process include items that need to be tossed, given away, or sold, as well as things that need to be neatly organized and put away. Regular decluttering can help keep cleaning time in check and make the process more efficient.

The Presence of Pets or Children

Despite bringing joy, pets and children can contribute to a messier house. From fur and paw prints to toys and spilled food, the additional messes created by pets and children can add to the cleaning time.

Professional cleaners often come across messes like:

• urine

• feces

• vomit

• hairballs

• destructive habits like chewing

when pets are involved. On average, it takes an extra 32 hours per year to clean a house with pets compared to one without pets. So, while pets and children bring joy and laughter into our lives, they also bring extra cleaning tasks.

Breaking Down the Cleaning Process

Comprehending the cleaning process provides insight into the duration of professional house cleaning. The cleaning process primarily involves three stages: a pre-cleaning assessment, a room-by-room cleaning, and deep cleaning tasks.

A pre-cleaning assessment allows the cleaners to determine the scope of work and the time needed for cleaning. The room-by-room cleaning ensures that each area of the home is thoroughly cleaned, while the deep cleaning tasks, such as cleaning appliances and windows, require additional time and effort.

Pre-Cleaning Assessment

Before the actual cleaning begins, professional cleaners conduct a pre-cleaning assessment. This involves using a checklist to figure out what needs to be done and making sure every part of the house is taken care of, ensuring nothing gets overlooked.

The pre-cleaning assessment not only helps in figuring out the cleaning tasks but also enables the cleaners to give a more accurate time estimate. By inspecting the size of the area to be cleaned and understanding the client’s requirements, the cleaners can better plan their approach, leading to a more efficient cleaning process.

Room-by-Room Cleaning

Professional cleaners follow a room-by-room cleaning strategy. This systematic approach ensures that every part of the house gets the attention it needs and that nothing is overlooked.

For instance, cleaning a bathroom like a pro involves:

• spraying the bathtub or shower

• wiping down the counters

• cleaning the mirrors

• taking out the trash

This usually takes about 1.5 hours, which answers the common question of how long does it take.

Similarly, a bedroom can be cleaned in an hour with a well-planned strategy, while a kitchen may require about 15 minutes of dedicated cleaning time.

Deep Cleaning Tasks

Deep cleaning is an integral part of the professional cleaning process. It involves tasks that go beyond regular cleaning, reaching into the hidden corners and tackling the stubborn dirt and grime that regular cleaning might miss.

Deep cleaning tasks can include cleaning appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, and washers, as well as cleaning windows and gutters. These tasks require extra time and effort to ensure they are thoroughly clean. On average, a deep cleaning session can take about eight hours, but it can vary based on the size of the house and the specific tasks involved. Incorporating a week cleaning routine can help maintain the cleanliness of your home in between deep cleaning sessions.

Estimating Cleaning Time Based on Home Size

You can get a rough estimate of the cleaning duration by considering the size of your home. Of course, the actual cleaning time can vary depending on the factors we’ve discussed earlier, but having an estimate can help you plan for professional cleaning services.

For instance, a one-bedroom apartment typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a basic cleaning. In contrast, a larger home, such as a three-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom property, might need around 4.5 hours of cleaning per week. So, the size of your home can give you a baseline for estimating cleaning time.

Small Apartments

Compared to larger homes, small apartments typically need less cleaning time. A one-bedroom apartment, for instance, can take anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a basic cleaning. If you’re opting for a deep clean, you might need to set aside up to 4 to 8 hours.

However, the time can increase if the apartment is cluttered or if there are specific cleaning tasks that need to be addressed, such as deep cleaning tiles or grouts. Regular decluttering and organization can go a long way in reducing cleaning time.

Medium-Sized Homes

Cleaning medium-sized homes like three or four-bedroom houses tends to take longer, particularly if they contain additional rooms such as studies or playrooms. On average, it takes about six hours per week to clean a medium-sized home.

However, clutter or the presence of pets can add to the cleaning time. Regular decluttering and maintenance cleaning can help keep the cleaning time in check. For a three-bedroom home, it’s best to set aside about three hours a week for regular cleaning and another 1.5 hours for more thorough cleaning tasks.

Large Homes

Cleaning large homes usually takes the most time, especially when deep cleaning tasks are involved. For regular cleaning, it usually takes about five hours per week for a large home. However, for a thorough deep cleaning, it could take around eight hours per week.

The cleaning time can also vary depending on the number of rooms, the level of clutter, and the specific cleaning tasks required. For instance, tasks like descaling faucets and showerheads or cleaning HVAC vent covers can add to the cleaning time.

Tips for Reducing Cleaning Time

Even though professional cleaning services can greatly enhance your home, taking certain steps can help cut down the cleaning time. These steps include decluttering, regular maintenance cleaning, and clear communication with your cleaning professionals.

By implementing these steps, you can ensure that your home is ready for cleaning, reducing the time it takes for professionals to clean your house. This not only results in a more efficient cleaning process but also helps maintain a clean and organized home.

Decluttering

Regular decluttering is a highly effective way to cut down on cleaning time. Clutter can slow down the cleaning process as it requires extra time to organize and clear spaces. By keeping your home clutter-free, you can make it easier for cleaners to do their job efficiently.

Areas that usually get cluttered include coffee tables, countertops, and shelves. Particularly, kitchen and bathroom countertops tend to get cluttered and should be cleared before the cleaners start cleaning. Regular decluttering can help keep these areas clean and organized, making the cleaning process more efficient.

Regular Maintenance Cleaning

Frequent maintenance cleaning can help avoid dirt and grime accumulation, thereby saving time on deep cleaning. By staying on top of regular cleaning, you can prevent dirt and grime from building up, making the cleaning process faster and easier.

Regular maintenance cleaning tasks can include:

• Deep cleaning tiles and grouts

• Vacuuming vents and circular fans

• Cleaning carpets, rugs, and upholstery

• Dusting

• Cleaning floors

• Trash removal

By staying on top of these tasks, you can significantly reduce the time needed for deep cleaning.

Clear Communication

Maintaining clear communication with your professional cleaners can also contribute to shorter cleaning times. By communicating your needs and expectations clearly, you can ensure that the cleaners know what to do, allowing them to work more efficiently.

Before the cleaners start their work, it’s good to discuss any special requests or concerns you may have. Providing access to your home, sharing any particular instructions or requests, and staying in touch can all contribute to a more efficient cleaning process.

Summary

In summary, understanding the time it takes to clean a house professionally involves considering various factors like the size of the home, the level of clutter, and the presence of pets or children.

With professional cleaners, specialized equipment, and customized cleaning plans, a clean and healthy home is within your reach. So next time you’re wondering how long it will take to clean your house professionally, remember that the answer lies in the details.