How Often Should You Deep Clean Your House?
The honest answer from professional cleaners who've cleaned thousands of Newmarket and York Region homes.
We get this question constantly: "How often do I really need a deep clean?" And the answer isn't what most people expect. It's not a one-size-fits-all number. A family of five with three dogs needs different deep cleaning frequency than a couple with no pets who both work 60-hour weeks.
After years cleaning homes across Newmarket, Aurora, Bradford, and the rest of York Region, here's what we've learned actually works for different households.
The General Rule (With Important Exceptions)
Most homes benefit from a deep clean every 3-6 months. That's the baseline. But let's be real - "most homes" doesn't mean your home. Your actual frequency depends on factors that vary wildly between households.
Quick Reference Guide
Every 2-3 Months
Families with kids, multiple pets, allergies, or high traffic
Every 4-6 Months
Average households with regular weekly cleaning
Every 6-12 Months
Single occupants or couples, no pets, away often
Seasonally (2x per year)
Spring and fall for most Ontario homes
Factors That Change the Timeline
Here's what actually determines how often your specific home needs deep cleaning:
1. Pets (The Biggest Factor)
One dog or cat? Deep clean every 3-4 months. Multiple pets? Every 2-3 months minimum. Pets shed, track dirt, have accidents, and create dander that settles into everything. It's not negotiable.
- •No pets: Every 6 months is fine
- •1-2 pets: Every 3-4 months
- •3+ pets: Every 2-3 months (or hire regular professional cleaning)
2. Kids and Household Size
Kids are basically dirt magnets. Sticky fingerprints, crumbs, spills, outdoor mess tracked in constantly. The more people living in your house, the more frequent deep cleaning you need.
- •1-2 adults: Every 6 months works
- •Family with young kids: Every 3 months
- •Family with teenagers: Every 4 months (they're less messy but eat more)
3. Allergies or Respiratory Issues
If anyone in your house has asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues, deep cleaning isn't optional. Dust, pet dander, and allergens build up in carpets, upholstery, and places regular cleaning doesn't reach.
For households with health concerns: Deep clean every 2-3 months minimum. Seriously. The difference in air quality is massive.
4. How Thorough Your Regular Cleaning Is
If you (or your cleaner) do weekly deep cleaning of high-traffic areas, you can stretch deep cleans to every 6 months. If your "regular cleaning" is a quick once-over when company's coming? Yeah, you need deep cleans every 3 months.
Reality check: Most people overestimate how thoroughly they clean. If you can't remember the last time you moved your couch to vacuum behind it, you need a deep clean soon.
5. Ontario Seasons Matter
Living in York Region means specific seasonal challenges. Winter = salt, slush, dry indoor air creating more dust. Spring = pollen tracked inside. Fall = leaves and outdoor mess coming in.
Most Newmarket and Aurora homeowners benefit from seasonal deep cleans: One in spring (April/May) and one in fall (September/October). This aligns with when Ontario homes need it most.
Signs You're Overdue for a Deep Clean
Forget timelines. Here are the actual signs your home needs deep cleaning now:
- You can see dust buildup on baseboards and trim
- Allergies are worse at home than outside
- You're embarrassed when unexpected guests drop by
- You can't remember what color your grout originally was
- The house just feels "heavy" or stuffy
- You're moving furniture and horrified by what's underneath
- It's been more than 6 months since your last deep clean
What's Included in a Deep Clean (vs Regular Cleaning)
Deep cleaning isn't just regular cleaning done longer. It targets the stuff regular cleaning doesn't reach:
- •Behind and under furniture (not just around it)
- •Inside appliances (oven, fridge, dishwasher)
- •Baseboards, trim, door frames (all of them)
- •Light fixtures, ceiling fans, vents
- •Windows inside and out (not just wiping)
- •Scrubbing grout, tile, hard-to-reach areas
- •Detailed carpet and upholstery cleaning
DIY vs Professional Deep Cleaning
Can you deep clean your own house? Sure. Should you? Depends on your time, energy, and standards.
DIY deep cleaning a typical 2000 sq ft home takes 8-12 hours for one person. With professional equipment and a team, we do it in 3-4 hours and hit places most homeowners miss.
If you value your weekend more than the cost of cleaning, professional is worth it. If you're tight on budget but have time, DIY works - just be thorough.
Overdue for a Deep Clean?
We serve Newmarket, Aurora, Bradford, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, and all of York Region. Let us handle the deep cleaning while you actually enjoy your day off.
The Bottom Line
There's no magic number that works for every home. Start with the general 3-6 month guideline, then adjust based on:
- •Pets (more pets = more frequent)
- •Kids and household size
- •Allergies or health issues
- •How thorough your regular cleaning is
- •Seasonal factors in Ontario
When in doubt, err on the side of more frequent deep cleaning. It's easier to maintain a clean home than rescue one that's gotten way behind.