Spring Cleaning vs Deep Cleaning: What’s the Difference?

Most people know spring cleaning as the annual cleaning event where your home gets scrubbed from top to bottom. But did you know that this is different from a deep clean? While both go beyond your regular cleaning routine, a spring clean is more about refreshing and reorganising your space, while deep house cleaning targets hidden grime, allergens and bacteria.

This handy guide will help you understand the difference between spring cleaning vs deep cleaning, what’s included in both types of cleaning, the benefits of a spring clean or deep clean, how often you should do either, how to choose the right cleaning approach for your home, and when to hire professional cleaning services.

Understanding the Differences Between Spring Cleaning and Deep Cleaning

While spring and deep cleaning are essential for maintaining a healthy home environment, they differ in intensity and focus. Let’s explore those differences!

What is Spring Cleaning?

Spring cleaning dates back many years, when families would do an annual clean (in spring) to remove the soot and dirt that built up over the winter months (using indoor fires and closing up the home). It’s since become an annual tradition for many families who focus on decluttering, refreshing, and reorganising their spaces. The ultimate goal of this type of cleaning is to make your home feel brighter, lighter, and more inviting.

What is Deep Cleaning?

Deep house cleaning goes far beyond regular surface cleaning and removes dirt, allergens and bacteria from hidden or hard-to-reach places (behind furniture, ceiling fans, etc.). It’s pretty labour-intensive, and you’ll need to be prepared for a lot of scrubbing, crawling and climbing to reach every nook and cranny! A deep clean is a brilliant way to help allergy sufferers breathe easier as you’ll tackle deep-rooted allergens that have festered away for months.

What’s Included in Spring Cleaning?

Spring cleaning typically involves:

  • Decluttering and reorganising spaces, throwing things out you haven’t used all year, packing items away and generally making your home more presentable
  • Wiping down surfaces like benches and bathroom counters
  • Dusting furniture and banishing dust bunnies from underneath
  • Cleaning windows inside and out to let the light in, then opening windows for fresh air
  • Washing curtains, bedding and soft furnishings
  • Vacuuming and mopping all floor surfaces

 

These tasks help refresh your home and create a more organised living space.

Benefits of Spring Cleaning and Deep Cleaning

Although spring or deep cleaning may feel like a massive chore, giving your home the attention it deserves has many benefits.

Why Spring Cleaning Matters?

When you give your home a spring cleaning, it:

  • Helps you to clear away any clutter that’s been filling your space, leaving your home feeling more organised, which is also known to reduce your stress levels
  • Makes your home feel refreshed, with everything having its place and your home smelling fresh and inviting
  • Creates an inviting and comfortable living space that welcomes you and your visitors to settle in and relax 

Why is Deep Cleaning Essential?

Deep house cleaning is essential as it:

  • Removes harmful bacteria and allergens (dust, pet hair, etc.), which can trigger allergies or cause illness
  • Improves indoor air quality so you and your family can breathe a little easier 
  • Reduces the risk of mould and mildew that can build up in the wet areas of your home, especially your bathroom

How Much Does Spring Cleaning and Deep Cleaning Cost?

Here’s what to consider when weighing up the costs of spring cleaning vs deep cleaning:

  • The size of your home: The bigger your home, the more time and effort you’ll need to put in to cover every room
  • The cleanliness of your home: Regular cleaning will make spring and deep cleaning a bit faster; however, heavily soiled areas (like bathrooms and kitchens) will need more intensive work
  • DIY vs professional cleaners: If you don’t have the time, patience or passion for cleaning, you may consider using professional cleaners who’ll ensure your home is cleaned to a high standard (without any effort from you)
  • Additional costs: Extras like carpet steam cleaning and window washing will add extra time and money to your cleaning budget


To save money, consider combining DIY with professional services. You can clear away your clutter and organise your home. Then, professional cleaners can come in, give your home a deep clean, and do extras like carpet steam cleaning and window washing.

How Often Should You Do a Spring Clean vs a Deep Clean?

If you’re wondering how often you should do a spring clean vs a deep clean, here’s a guideline:

  • As the name suggests, spring cleaning is usually done once or twice a year depending on how much you’ve accumulated during the year and whether you’ve done regular cleaning and organising
  • A deep house cleaning is recommended every 3-6 months or as needed to refresh your home and keep it hygienic


If your home accumulates dust quickly (e.g., in windy areas, near construction sites, etc.), or if you have pets, kids or allergies, it’s best to give your home a deep clean more often.

Choosing the Right Cleaning Approach for Your Home

If you’re trying to decide between spring cleaning vs deep cleaning, consider these factors:

  • Cluttered vs dirty home: If your home feels messy with things everywhere but not grimy, opt for spring cleaning. If dust, grease or stains have built up, go for a deep clean
  • Pets & kids: If you’ve got pets and young kids, your home will benefit from frequent deep house cleaning to prevent a build-up of the mess that notoriously comes along with them
  • Time & budget: If you can think of better ways to spend your time and have room in your budget, you should consider hiring professional cleaners to help you (it’s not as expensive as you may think!)

When to Hire Professional Cleaning Services?

When you hire professional cleaning services, you can relax knowing they know precisely what it takes to keep your home in pristine condition. Professional cleaning is beneficial when:

  • Your home needs a thorough deep cleaning, ensuring every area is given the once-over
  • You’re moving in or out of a property, or you need to remove the dust and builder’s mess from a recent renovation
  • You’ve got a build-up of grease, grim or soap scum that needs a professional’s touch to bring your surfaces back to a sparkling condition

 

You have better things to spend your time doing than spring cleaning

Get Expert Cleaning Services for Your Home

Spring and deep cleaning are essential for keeping your home clean and healthy. Use your annual (or bi-annual) spring clean to keep your space fresh and organised, and tackle deep house cleaning more often to keep your home healthy and hygienic. 

 

If your home needs a deep clean or a seasonal refresh, Bluebear Cleaning offers expert residential cleaning services. Our expert team works around your schedule and knows what it takes to leave your home smelling, feeling and looking fresh. 


Contact us today for a house cleaning quote

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