What Are the Three Types of Cleaning Services? A Complete Guide

Whether you’re a homeowner trying to keep your living space fresh or a business owner wanting to maintain a clean, safe environment for employees and customers, understanding the different types of cleaning services can help you choose the right solution for your needs. While cleaning might seem straightforward at first glance, the industry actually encompasses several specialized service categories, each designed for specific situations, spaces, and levels of care.

Broadly speaking, cleaning services fall into three main types: regular cleaning, deep cleaning, and restoration cleaning. Each plays a unique role in maintaining the health, appearance, and safety of a property.

In this guide, we’ll break down each type, what it includes, and when you might need it—plus why STOP Restoration in Spokane, WA is a widely trusted leader when it comes to both cleaning and restoration solutions.

1. Regular Cleaning: Routine Maintenance for a Healthy Space

Regular cleaning is the most common type of cleaning service. As the name suggests, it focuses on routine tasks that help maintain a baseline level of cleanliness in your home or business.

What Regular Cleaning Includes

Regular cleaning typically covers:

  • Sweeping and mopping floors
     
  • Dusting surfaces
     
  • Wiping down counters
     
  • Cleaning mirrors and glass
     
  • Emptying trash
     
  • Vacuuming carpets and rugs
     
  • Sanitizing frequently touched surfaces
     

For homes, it may also include light bathroom and kitchen cleaning. For businesses, regular cleaning helps keep offices, lobbies, and workspaces tidy and presentable on a daily or weekly basis.

When You Need Regular Cleaning

This service is ideal if you:

  • Want ongoing maintenance to prevent dust and dirt buildup
     
  • Need a consistent cleaning schedule for your office
     
  • Prefer a light-touch cleaning service instead of intensive scrubbing
     
  • Are maintaining a vacation rental or Airbnb property
     

Regular cleaning is about upkeep—it keeps things looking good, smelling fresh, and functioning smoothly.

2. Deep Cleaning: A Thorough, Top-to-Bottom Clean

Deep cleaning takes things a step further. It’s far more detailed and thorough than regular cleaning. While regular cleaning focuses on visible surfaces and everyday areas, deep cleaning targets grime, bacteria, and hidden buildup.

What Deep Cleaning Includes

A deep clean often involves:

  • Scrubbing tile grout
     
  • Washing baseboards, doors, and trim
     
  • Cleaning beneath appliances and furniture
     
  • Descaling faucets and showerheads
     
  • Cleaning inside appliances (such as ovens and refrigerators)
     
  • Steam-cleaning carpets or upholstery
     
  • Removing built-up dust from vents and fans
     

Deep cleaning can also incorporate disinfecting services, which have become increasingly important for homes and businesses seeking a healthier environment.

When You Need Deep Cleaning

You might schedule a deep clean when:

  • Moving into a new home
     
  • Preparing a property for sale
     
  • Hosting or finishing a major event
     
  • Tackling spring or seasonal cleaning
     
  • Managing a rental property between tenants
     
  • You haven’t had professional cleaning in several months
     

Most households and businesses benefit from deep cleaning at least once or twice a year to reset the space and remove buildup that regular cleaning doesn’t address.

3. Restoration Cleaning: Specialized Cleaning After Damage or Disaster

Restoration cleaning is the highest level of cleaning service—and the most specialized. Unlike regular or deep cleaning, restoration cleaning is needed after a disaster or damaging event. It focuses not just on cleaning but on restoring a safe, healthy, and functional living or working environment.

What Restoration Cleaning Includes

Restoration cleaning can involve:

  • Water damage cleanup
     
  • Fire and smoke damage restoration
     
  • Mold remediation
     
  • Biohazard cleanup
     
  • Odor removal
     
  • Sewage cleanup
     
  • Trauma or crime scene cleaning
     

This type of cleaning requires skilled technicians, professional equipment, and strict safety procedures.

When You Need Restoration Cleaning

Restoration cleaning is essential when damage occurs due to:

  • Flooding or burst pipes
     
  • Fires, smoke, or soot
     
  • Mold outbreaks
     
  • Hazardous spills
     
  • Storm damage
     
  • Property trauma incidents
     

This service goes beyond cosmetic cleaning—it's about protecting health, preventing hazards, and returning the property to its pre-damage condition.

Why STOP Restoration in Spokane, WA Leads in Restoration & Cleaning Services

When choosing any type of professional cleaning service—especially restoration work—experience and reliability matter. STOP Restoration in Spokane, WA has earned a strong reputation as a trusted leader in cleaning, deep cleaning, and full-scale restoration services.

Here’s what sets them apart:

  • Highly trained, certified technicians who handle everything from routine cleaning to advanced damage restoration
     
  • 24/7 emergency response, which is crucial after fire or water damage
     
  • State-of-the-art equipment for moisture detection, mold remediation, odor removal, and more
     
  • Compassionate, customer-focused service, especially during stressful situations like disasters
     
  • Years of industry expertise serving residential and commercial clients throughout the Spokane region
     

Whether you need regular cleaning to keep your home fresh, a seasonal deep clean, or urgent restoration after a disaster, STOP Restoration delivers dependable, high-quality results.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the three types of cleaning services—regular cleaning, deep cleaning, and restoration cleaning—can help you determine what your space needs and when to call in the professionals. Each type plays a vital role in maintaining a safe, comfortable, and visually appealing environment.

For residents and businesses in Spokane, WA, STOP Restoration remains one of the most trusted and skilled providers for all levels of cleaning and restoration. Whether you’re looking for routine maintenance or urgent disaster recovery, their team offers expertise, reliability, and peace of mind.

FAQ

1. What are the three main types of cleaning services?

The three primary types are regular cleaning, deep cleaning, and restoration cleaning. Regular cleaning focuses on routine upkeep, deep cleaning offers a more thorough top-to-bottom cleaning, and restoration cleaning addresses damage from events like water, fire, or mold.

2. How often should I schedule regular cleaning?

Most homes and businesses benefit from weekly or biweekly regular cleaning. However, the best frequency depends on the size of your space, foot traffic, and personal preference.

3. What’s included in a deep cleaning service?

Deep cleaning includes tasks that go beyond routine maintenance, such as cleaning baseboards, scrubbing grout, washing inside appliances, removing built-up dust, and sanitizing hard-to-reach areas. It’s ideal for seasonal cleaning or preparing a home for sale.

4. When should I choose deep cleaning instead of regular cleaning?

Choose deep cleaning when your space hasn’t been cleaned in a while, when grime or buildup is visible, before hosting guests, after tenants move out, or when you need a detailed reset of your property.

5. What is restoration cleaning?

Restoration cleaning is a specialized service for properties damaged by water, fire, smoke, mold, or biohazards. It involves cleanup, sanitization, odor removal, and restoring the property to safe, livable condition.

6. How quickly should I call for restoration cleaning after water damage?

Immediately. Water damage worsens within hours and can lead to structural issues and mold growth. STOP Restoration in Spokane, WA offers 24/7 emergency response to minimize damage and speed up recovery.

7. Is mold removal part of cleaning services?

Mold removal falls under restoration cleaning and requires certified professionals. STOP Restoration uses advanced detection tools and remediation techniques to safely remove mold and prevent it from returning.

8. Can I stay in my home during restoration cleaning?

It depends on the type and severity of the damage. Minor water cleanup may allow you to stay, while extensive fire, smoke, or mold damage may require temporary relocation. A professional inspection will determine the best course of action.

9. Do professional cleaners provide disinfection services?

Yes. Many cleaning companies—including STOP Restoration—offer specialized disinfection services for viruses, bacteria, and allergens. This service is popular for homes, offices, schools, medical facilities, and high-traffic businesses.
10. Why choose STOP Restoration in Spokane, WA?

STOP Restoration is known for its high-quality cleaning, certified restoration specialists, advanced equipment, and compassionate customer service. Whether you need routine cleaning or emergency disaster recovery, their team delivers fast, reliable, and professional results.