Not all cleaning services are created equal. One of the most common questions we get from clients is: what’s the difference between end of lease cleaning and deep cleaning?
They might sound similar. After all, both go beyond regular weekly cleaning. But if you’re a tenant about to move out or a homeowner looking for a thorough clean, knowing the difference can save you money, time, and headaches.
Let’s clear it all up in this guide.
Regular Cleaning Isn’t Enough for Either Service
To start with, regular cleaning includes light tasks like vacuuming, mopping, wiping kitchen surfaces, and tidying bathrooms. It’s the kind of cleaning you might do once a week or fortnight.
But both deep cleaning and end of lease cleaning are a step above. They aim to get your home in top condition — but for very different reasons.
End of Lease Cleaning Focuses on Real Estate Inspections
End of lease cleaning, also called vacate cleaning or move out cleaning, is designed for tenants who are finishing up their lease. It’s about meeting the expectations of real estate agents, property managers, and landlords.
That means this service has one main goal: help you get your full bond back.
It includes:
- Cleaning inside the oven and rangehood
- Washing walls and removing scuff marks
- Wiping inside all cupboards and drawers
- Cleaning light fittings, fans, and vents
- Scrubbing bathrooms until they shine
- Removing cobwebs and cleaning skirting boards
- Making windows, tracks, and frames spotless
- Sweeping or cleaning outdoor areas
There’s usually no flexibility in what gets cleaned. If it was clean when you moved in, it must be clean when you move out. That’s why many tenants choose a professional end of lease cleaning service — it meets the standards set in the original condition report.
Deep Cleaning Focuses on Living Conditions and Health
Deep cleaning is ideal for homeowners or renters who aren’t moving out but want their home thoroughly cleaned. It’s also common before big events, after renovations, or when things have just gotten out of hand.
Unlike end of lease cleans, a deep clean is more flexible and focused on hygiene, comfort, and presentation — not meeting a real estate checklist.
Deep cleaning often includes:
- Removing built-up grease from kitchen surfaces
- Scrubbing bathroom grout and tiles
- Dusting ceiling fans and hard-to-reach places
- Cleaning under and behind furniture
- Removing limescale from taps and showerheads
- Sanitising bins, handles, and switches
You can usually customise a deep cleaning service based on what your home needs. It’s perfect if you’ve been too busy to keep up or want a fresh start.
End of Lease Cleaning Is More Structured and Strict
With a move out cleaning service, there’s no picking and choosing tasks. The checklist is usually strict and based on what the agent will inspect.
If something is missed, the agent may reject the clean. That means you could be called back to redo it — or have money deducted from your bond.
A professional vacate cleaning service is designed to avoid that. At Levens Cleaning, we clean according to property manager expectations, so you don’t have to worry about re-clean calls or surprise deductions.
Deep Cleaning Can Be Tailored to What You Need
One of the biggest differences is flexibility.
With deep cleaning, you might just want your bathrooms and kitchen cleaned thoroughly. Or maybe your whole house needs attention — but you don’t care about the garage or windows.
You can adjust the service based on your goals, lifestyle, and budget. It’s all about your comfort, not inspection standards.
Both Use Professional Tools and Techniques
Don’t be fooled into thinking one is more “professional” than the other. Both services go beyond basic cleaning and often use:
- High-quality products
- Specialised tools for grout, glass, and flooring
- Trained cleaners who understand hygiene and detail
- Time-tested techniques for efficiency and results
At Levens Cleaning, we use the same level of care and precision in both services — but we adjust the focus depending on the job.
Which One Takes Longer to Complete?
It depends on the size of the property, but end of lease cleaning usually takes longer because of the fixed checklist. Everything must be done — even areas you never used.
Deep cleaning can be quicker if you’re only targeting certain rooms or tasks. It’s more flexible, so the time needed depends on what you want cleaned.
For example:
- A 3-bedroom move out clean might take 5 to 6.5 hours
- A deep clean of just the kitchen and bathrooms might take 3 hours
We always recommend getting a custom quote to avoid surprises.
Which Service Should You Choose?
Still not sure which one is right for you? Here’s a quick breakdown:
Choose end of lease cleaning service if:
- You’re moving out of a rental property
- You need to meet real estate agent requirements
- Your bond is at stake
- You want a full, detailed clean with zero room for error
Choose deep cleaning if:
- You’re staying in the property
- You want a fresh, hygienic environment
- Your home hasn’t had a proper clean in a while
- You only need certain areas done
What We Offer at Levens Cleaning
We provide both services across Melbourne with flexible options to suit every home and budget.
- Our end of lease cleaning service is priced at $55 per hour, with all equipment and chemicals included
- We follow a strict, agent-approved checklist so you have the best chance of getting your bond back
- Our deep cleaning service is fully customisable — perfect for spring cleans, post-renovation resets, or just a home refresh
Whether you’re moving out or just want your home to feel brand new again, we’re here to help.
Ready to Book Your Cleaning Service?
Still unsure which cleaning service is right for you? That’s okay — our friendly team is happy to chat, walk you through your options, and provide a tailored quote.
Call us or book online to get started.
We’ll take care of the cleaning, so you can take care of everything else.
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