Types of Cleaning: Difference and Features

By eMop 19 October 2025 Cleaning checklists

List of cleaning services

Most people compare three main categories: routine/general cleaning, deep cleaning, and commercial/specialised cleaning. Routine keeps a flat or house tidy week to week, deep tackles built-up grime and hard-to-reach areas, and commercial covers workplaces with compliance and scheduled checklists. Add carpet & upholstery extraction when fabrics need extra care.

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The following is a list of the common cleaning services:

Domestic cleaning
Commercial cleaning
General cleaning
Spring and deep cleaning
Mini cleaning
Decorators’ cleaning
Builders’ cleaning
End of tenancy cleaning
Event cleaning
Bathroom cleaning
Kitchen cleaning
Window cleaning
Floor cleaning
Carpet cleaning
Dry and upholstery cleaning
Decluttering
Vehicle cleaning
Medical cleaning

Three types of cleaning

One question we often get asked at eMop is to explain the differences between “regular”, “deep” and “end-of-tenancy” cleaning. Here’s our guide!

Regular (domestic) cleaning

Regular cleaning usually takes around two to three hours. It involves dusting all surfaces and decorations, vacuuming carpets and mopping floors, changing beddings, plus cleaning the bathroom and kitchen.

Best for: flats/apartments; weekly, fortnightly, or monthly upkeep.

Deep cleaning

More comprehensive than a regular clean. Deep cleaning involves moving furniture around so that eMoppers can blitz every last spider web and speckle of dust.

Best for: larger homes, pets, post-renovation, or when a true refresh is needed.
Popular add-ons: carpet & upholstery extraction, oven detail, fridge/freezer clean, interior windows/balcony (where available).

End of tenancy cleaning

An ‘extreme’ clean that usually happens when landlords call us after they’ve entered the flat and found the recently-vacated tenants haven’t bothered to clean it for a year! And they don’t have time to do it themselves? Consider the end of tenancy cleaning London service.

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House cleaning services (residential)

Domestic cleaning

Domestic cleaning is routine maintenance (dust/wipe, vacuum/mop, bathrooms, kitchen, bins; optional laundry/ironing/bed linen).

General (deep) cleaning

More detailed than routine; tackles neglected areas, tiles & grout and limescale. Add-ons: carpet & upholstery extraction, oven detail, fridge/freezer clean.

Mini cleaning

Short reset between visits: tidy up, empty bins, quick wipes of high-touch areas.

Spring cleaning

Seasonal top-to-bottom refresh; extra attention to kitchens/bathrooms and inside cabinets, often paired with decluttering.

Builders’ (post-construction) cleaning

Removes dust, debris and paint splatters after works; cleans skirting, sockets, switches and floors; prepares the space for handover.

Green cleaning

Uses eco-friendly, low-tox products on request — good for allergies and sustainability.

End of tenancy cleaning

End of tenancy cleaning involves leaving the apartment clean while relocating. When on the move this may be too much to handle, so hiring a cleaning service with the right equipment would be the best option for you.

Event cleaning

After parties or events (often off-hours): clear rubbish, reset surfaces and floors, return rooms to normal.

Carpet cleaning

Our houses’ carpets and furnishings are prone to accumulating a lot of dust and grime, which can be physically harmful to our health because it creates a favourable environment for the growth of bacteria.

Allergies and diseases may be brought on by accumulated dust and bacteria. Because of this, it is crucial that we make sure to clean them. The greatest way to preserve your furniture in the best condition and to eliminate odours is with carpet cleaning.

Upholstery cleaning

Through regular cleaning, your upholstery can look its best. With regular cleaning you can remove dust, dirt and the germs that gather overtime using the right cleaning products. .

Window cleaning

Window cleaners specialise in more thorough window cleaning, aside from a cursory wipe of the internal glass and window sills as part of other cleaning.

Kitchen cleaning

Deep focus on food-prep areas and storage; sanitise worktops, appliances (fridge, freezer, microwave, coffee maker) and sinks.

Restroom & bathroom cleaning

Deeper disinfection of toilets, sinks, showers and floors with procedures to prevent cross-contamination to other rooms.

Decluttering & storage

Organise visible and hidden storage (garages, sheds, lofts); agree scope for what’s kept, donated or recycled. Check out our article about decluttering here.

Not sure which cleaning you need?

Tell us your postcode—we’ll recommend the right service and call you back today.

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Commercial cleaning services

Commercial (daily) cleaning

Daily cleaning is one of the types of cleaning that are done in commercial settings. For businesses with larger capacity and those that take workplace cleaning very seriously, daily cleaning services are the most popular option.

Medical cleaning

Medical cleaning is very specialised due to the strict standards these clinics and hospitals have for cleanliness. For these kinds of business cleaning services, you must follow stringent cleaning procedures and utilise the proper cleaning materials, equipment, and latest methods.

Janitorial services

These services often include routine upkeep and cleaning of establishments, including offices, shops, and schools. If you’re offering this service, you should focus on assembling a group of competent janitors for careful cleaning.

Mopping, sweeping, taking out the trash, and performing routine building maintenance like replacing lightbulbs and mending damaged doors and light switches are typical tasks.

School cleaning

Both public and private schools can use cleaning services, which include cleaning the restrooms, classrooms, desks, and tables.

Sport cleaning

Sports facilities like gyms are offered cleaning services. These places are a haven for bacteria and the growth of germs, making them prime locations for cleaning services. All equipments, surfaces, and floors should be cleaned and sanitised.