Photo: Cvcuk, “Driveway Cleaning 1 1”, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and converted to WebP; shown cropped.
Cleaning services: the basics
House cleaning, deep cleaning, carpet, windows, pressure washing, move-out cleaning.
The full guide for this trade is being written. Until then, here is what we know for sure: the problems that belong here, who handles them, and how to check a contractor.
On this page4 sections: urgent, permits…
What people call about
- Deep clean before guests
- Pressure wash the siding
- Carpet cleaning
- Move-out cleaning
How soon to call
Schedule it
Moss on the roof
Ask for: roof soft washing
Pressure washing shingles damages them; ask for a low-pressure soft wash.
Pressure wash the house
Ask for: pressure washing / soft washing
Oil stain on the driveway
Ask for: driveway cleaning
Deep clean the house
Ask for: house cleaning
Move-out cleaning
Ask for: move-out cleaning
Carpet cleaning
Ask for: carpet cleaning
Window cleaning
Ask for: window cleaning
Cleanup after the renovation
Ask for: post-construction cleaning
Tile and grout cleaning
Ask for: tile and grout cleaning
Couch cleaning
Ask for: upholstery cleaning
General guidance, not a diagnosis. If anyone is in danger, call 911 first.
Permits and licensing
- This work rarely needs a permit, but a town can still require one for parts of it.
- Most states keep no license record for this trade, and whether one exists in yours depends on the state and the job size, so a search may find none. Use review sites and ask for references from recent customers.
Know what you're looking at
Professional machines clean deeper than most household ones, but results depend on the method and the drying time. Ask which method is used for each floor type.
A vacuum with a HEPA filter traps fine dust. Ask whether the cleaners bring their own equipment and supplies or use yours.
A cleaning quote should say which rooms and tasks are included: a standard clean and a deep clean are different. Ask for a checklist.
Carpets take time to dry after hot-water extraction. Ask how long, how the work is done and what the stain-removal guarantee covers.
General information, not legal, tax, engineering or insurance advice. Rules and prices vary by place, so get three local quotes. Problem list updated 2026-10-04.