What does a general cleaning of an apartment or house include?

South African clients most often book a general (“once-off”) clean when they:

• want a full reset to maintain high hygiene standards,
• don’t have time for detailed or high-reach work (skirting boards, light fittings, tops of cupboards, behind/under appliances),
• want routine/weekly cleaning to be quicker afterwards,
• are moving in or out (popular with tenants, landlords, buyers/sellers as “pre/post-occupation” cleaning),
• are listing a property for sale or short-term rental and need a great first impression, and
• have finished building/renovations and need a professional “after builders” clean.

Scope varies by company and package. Always agree on a checklist and any add-ons in advance. A typical South African “deep clean” can include:

Glass, windows & metalwork

• Washing interior window panes, frames, and sills; exterior windows where safely accessible.
• Cleaning interior/exterior blinds and shutters (some services include removal/re-installation).
• Wiping burglar bars and security gates.

Ceilings & high-reach areas

• Removing cobwebs; cleaning dropped/feature ceilings, beams, rafters.
• Cleaning ceiling fans, extractor vents, and high light fittings.

Light fixtures

• Cleaning chandeliers, pendants, table/floor lamps, and shades (as suitable for the material).

Kitchen deep clean

• Degreasing and cleaning all surfaces and appliances: refrigerator (including defrost on request), oven/stove, microwave, extractor/hood and filters, sink and taps.
• Inside of cabinets/cupboards and drawers; backsplash; kickplates; tops of cupboards.
• Behind/under movable appliances where accessible.

Bathroom deep clean & disinfection

• Toilet, bath, shower (including screens and frames), basins, taps, mirrors, vanity/cabinets.
• Tile and grout detailing; descaling; sanitising high-touch points.

Floors & floor coverings

• Full sweep/vacuum and mop of hard floors (tile, vinyl, laminate, sealed wood, etc.).
• Textile floors (loose rugs, fitted carpets): deep vacuum; shampoo/steam; extraction rinse (where requested/quoted).
• Hard floors (vinyl, rubber, PVC, etc.): machine scrub; optional protective coatings.
• Parquet/laminate: machine clean with suitable products (no over-wetting).
• Optional: strip old coatings and apply new (where appropriate for the surface).

Upholstery & soft furnishings

• Vacuuming and spot-treating dining chairs and armchairs.
• Optional deep cleaning (extraction/steam) of sofas, couches, mattresses, and fabric headboards.

Dusting & detailing

• Dusting/polishing furniture, décor, books, skirting boards, cornices, door tops/frames.
• Cleaning switches, sockets, handles, and door hardware.

Curtains & window dressings

• Removal/re-hanging and laundering of regular/vertical/decorative curtains (with ironing), or on-site extraction/steam clean where suitable.

Outdoor/ancillary areas (on request)

• Balconies, patios and braai areas; garage sweep/mop; pressure-wash of paving/driveways (subject to water availability and local restrictions).

Waste

• Emptying bins and replacing liners; removal of bagged waste as agreed.

Notes for SA homes: confirm estate/complex access requirements for the team; advise on any load-shedding slots if machines (e.g., carpet extractors) are booked so the team can plan around power cuts.

Deep cleans are detailed and usually take longer than a regular service. A small flat may be completed in a day by a two-person team; larger homes or post-renovation jobs can run to 1.5–3 days. Multiple cleaners can shorten the total calendar time. Let the provider know about

• power availability (to schedule around load-shedding if using electric machines),
• water access (especially for steam/extraction or pressure-washing), and
• access rules (security estate registrations, parking, lift bookings).

It’s usually best not to be on-site so the team can work efficiently; they’ll notify you as soon as they’re done and ready for inspection.

You won’t need a deep clean weekly. Use standard weekly/fortnightly home cleaning for upkeep (vacuum, mop, bathrooms, dusting), and book a general/once-off clean about 1–2 times per year or when moving, after building works, or ahead of sale/letting photos and viewings.

Indicative market ranges (ZAR) — exact quotes vary by city, access, scope and team size:

• Regular domestic cleaning (hourly): ~R200–R500 per hour (per cleaner).
• Once-off / deep clean (hourly): often priced higher, ~R400–R600 per hour (per cleaner) with equipment and supplies included.
• Move-in/move-out packages: some providers advertise from around R1,955+ for small dwellings (scope-dependent).
• Carpet cleaning: roughly R8–R30 per m² depending on method (shampoo/steam/extraction), condition, and minimum call-out.
• Exterior pressure-wash (paving/driveways): from around R20 per m² where available.

What does the price depend on?

• Scope & add-ons: ovens, inside cupboards, windows (in/out), tile/grout steam, upholstery/mattresses, balconies/braai areas, coatings for hard floors, etc.
• Size & condition: total m², number of rooms/bathrooms, pet hair, grease, paint residue or builders’ dust.
• Type of clean: occupied vs. pre/post-occupation vs. post-construction (the last usually needs more time/special equipment).
• Equipment & supplies: labour-only (you supply) vs. full service (they supply machines and chemicals).
• Access, water & power: estate clearances, parking, lifts, water restrictions, and load-shedding planning can affect timing and cost.
• Travel & minimums: call-out fees or minimum hours may apply.