Deep cleans go way past the surface — they're for move-outs, post-build cleans, end-of-tenancy hand-overs, and the once-a-year resets. Different gear, different chemicals, different time commitment from a regular weekly clean.
What a deep clean covers
- Inside ovens (the "self-cleaning" cycle never quite gets there)
- Inside fridges and freezers, including seals
- Skirting boards, light fittings, ceiling fans, and door frames
- Inside windows, window tracks, and sills
- Cabinet interiors — kitchen and bathroom
- Tile grout, behind appliances, and hard-to-reach corners
- Wall marks, fingerprints, and switch plates
What a deep clean costs in South Africa (2026)
Most deep-clean specialists quote per property rather than per hour: R1,500-R3,500 for a typical 3-bed home, R3,000-R7,000 for a post-renovation clean (much more dust, often paint specks), and R2,500-R5,000 for an end-of-lease clean where landlords are looking for receipt-grade evidence. Get a written scope first — disagreements about whether windows or oven are "included" are the most common dispute.
What to look for
- Written scope of work — bullet list of what's in and what's out.
- Photos of finished work from prior jobs at similar size.
- Insurance — accidents happen on deep cleans more than weekly cleans.
- Realistic time estimates — a 3-bed house deep clean is a real day, not 3 hours.
On Handi-za you can post a deep-clean job, attach photos of the property, and get quotes from cleaners who've actually done that scope before — not generalists guessing the price.