Basic vs General vs Deep Cleaning: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever tried to book a cleaning service in Toronto or the GTA, you’ve probably run into the same wall: every company uses terms like “basic,” “general,” and “deep cleaning” a little differently. What one company calls “deep cleaning” might just be another company’s regular visit — and that mismatch is exactly what leads to surprise charges or a job that doesn’t match what you expected.

At Leronzo, we use a clear, condition-based system for all three levels. Here’s exactly what each one covers, what it doesn’t, and how to know which one your home actually needs.

Basic Cleaning — Everyday Upkeep

Best for: Homes that are already in good condition and just need regular maintenance.

What’s included:

  • Dusting and wiping accessible surfaces (shelves, tables, mantels)
  • Kitchen — wiping counters and exterior of appliances
  • Bathrooms — sinks, toilets, mirrors
  • Floors — vacuuming and mopping
  • Tidying main living areas

Not included: deep scrubbing or heavy buildup removal, grease/mold/rust/stain removal, inside of appliances, grout restoration. Not suitable for heavily soiled homes.

General Cleaning — Detailed Regular Cleaning

Best for: Homes with normal, everyday buildup that need more than a light touch-up. This is our most popular option.

What’s included: everything in Basic, plus:

  • More thorough surface wiping
  • Kitchen cabinet fronts and appliance exteriors
  • Light to moderate grease removal from kitchen surfaces
  • Baseboards in priority areas
  • High-touch surfaces
  • Bedrooms and living areas tidied in detail

Not included: heavy or set-in grease, mold/rust/stains, interior appliance cleaning (unless added separately), full grout restoration, post-renovation dust.

Deep Cleaning — For Heavy Buildup

Best for: Homes with visible buildup, homes that haven’t been professionally cleaned in a while, or homes being prepared for a big change — moving, hosting, or a fresh start.

What’s included: everything in General, plus:

  • Detailed kitchen and bathroom cleaning
  • Scrubbing areas with visible buildup
  • Hard-to-reach corners, edges, and tracks
  • Detailed fixture and faucet cleaning
  • Steam cleaning where suitable

Not included: post-construction cleanup (see our Post-Renovation Cleaning service for that), mold remediation, heavy rust or permanent stains, interior appliances unless added separately.

If your home needs a full reset after a move, check out our guide on move-out cleaning costs and checklists — it follows the same Deep Cleaning standard.

How Much Does Each Level Cost?

All packages include a fixed 3-hour visit, with team size scaling to your home:

Studio/1-2BR3BR4-5BR
Basic CleaningCAD $117CAD $234CAD $351
General CleaningCAD $149CAD $299CAD $449
Deep CleaningCAD $177CAD $354CAD $531

Need more time for a specific visit? Extra time is always confirmed and priced upfront before we add it — never billed as a surprise afterward.

Not Sure Which Level You Need?

A simple way to think about it: rate your home’s current condition from 1 to 10.

ScoreLevelWhat it means
1–3Basic CleaningRegularly maintained, light dust only
4–7General CleaningNoticeable buildup in specific areas, not cleaned for a few weeks
8–10Deep CleaningHeavy buildup, long overdue, or getting ready for a big change

Still not sure? Get your instant price — it takes under a minute and gives you the exact cost for your home, no guesswork required.

Carpets and upholstery follow a similar logic — if it’s been a while since your last professional clean, our guide on how often to clean carpets and upholstery breaks down the signs to watch for.