Deep Cleaning Checklist for San Francisco Homes and Apartments

A deep clean in San Francisco looks a little different from one in most US cities. The water is soft, the fog is real, and many homes are flats, Edwardians and apartments with tight kitchens, old windows and shared walls. This deep cleaning checklist for San Francisco covers what to clean, room by room, what SF homes need extra attention on, how to clear out before the cleaners arrive and how to book a deep clean with Cleanster.

What’s different about deep cleaning in San Francisco

Soft water means less scale

According to the SFPUC’s 2025 water quality report, San Francisco’s water averaged 62 ppm hardness, with a range of 8.1 to 112 ppm, and Hetch Hetchy water, which supplies up to 85% of the system, sits around 8 ppm. That is soft water. You will usually see far less crusty limescale on faucets and shower heads than in harder-water cities, so a deep clean can spend less time descaling and more time on grime, soap film and mildew. Glass shower doors still spot if they air-dry, so finish them with a squeegee or dry microfiber.

Fog and damp

Homes in the foggy western neighborhoods, like the Sunset and the Richmond, deal with damp air for much of the year. Look for mildew on bathroom ceilings, window frames and sills, behind furniture on exterior walls and inside closets. A deep clean should wipe these spots, and good ventilation afterward helps stop them returning.

Older homes and small spaces

Victorian and Edwardian flats have deep baseboards, picture rails, wooden window frames and radiators or wall heaters that collect years of dust. Small kitchens mean grease builds up quickly on range hoods, cabinet tops and the wall behind the stove.

The San Francisco deep cleaning checklist

厨房

• Degrease the range hood, filter, stovetop and backsplash.
• Clean inside the microwave.
• Inside the oven and fridge, if you have added them to your booking. See our guide to house cleaning add-ons.
• Wipe cabinet fronts, handles and the tops of cabinets.
• Clean the sink, faucet and drain area.
• Wipe small appliances and the outside of the dishwasher.
• Clean under and behind movable items, then mop the floor, edges included.

卫生间

• Scrub tub, shower, tile and grout; check ceilings and caulk for mildew.
• Remove soap film from glass doors and dry them to prevent spots.
• Clean the toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it.
• Wipe the vanity, mirror, cabinet fronts and fixtures.
• Dust the exhaust fan cover and light fixtures.
• Mop the floor, including corners.

Bedrooms and living areas

• Dust high: ceiling fans, light fixtures, picture rails, crown molding and door frames.
• Hand-wipe baseboards, window sills and frames.
• Dust radiators or wall heaters, carefully and only when cool.
• Wipe light switches, door handles and outlet covers.
• Vacuum upholstery and under cushions.
• Vacuum carpets and rugs, under furniture where reachable, and mop hard floors.

Entry, halls and stairs

• Wipe entry doors, scuffs and high-touch points.
• Vacuum stair treads and wipe railings in multi-level flats.

For a full printable list, see our house cleaning checklist and other cleaning checklists. Not sure which service you need? Read deep cleaning vs regular cleaning.

Clearing out before a deep clean: Recology bulky items

A deep clean goes faster when surfaces and floors are clear. If you are getting rid of old furniture or large items first, Recology’s bulky item collection can help. Residential buildings with five units or fewer get two free collections per calendar year, and buildings with six or more units get one per unit. Each pickup covers up to 10 items. Schedule at least two weeks ahead, place items at the curb by 6 a.m. on your pickup day with a sign marked “RECOLOGY,” and keep hazardous waste out of the pile.

How often should San Francisco homes get a deep clean?

Most homes benefit from a deep clean once or twice a year, with regular cleaning in between. Schedule one before or after a move, before hosting family for the holidays, after a renovation, or when damp weather leaves mildew in bathrooms and closets. Renters may also want one before a final walkthrough with a landlord.

Booking a deep clean in San Francisco with Cleanster

Cleanster 提供 deep cleaning in San Francisco, starting from $126 for a 2-hour minimum booking. Prices vary by location. Book in the Cleanster 应用程序, pick your time, add notes on priorities, parking and building access, and see the price before you confirm. Many SF homes need more than two hours for a full deep clean, so book the hours your home needs.

Every Cleanster cleaner is background-checked through ClearChecks and provides 3 or more references. If anything is missed, our 48-hour Happiness Guarantee lets you report it with photos within 48 hours. Support is available from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT. Learn more about our 深度清洁服务.

Also in San Francisco: 住宅清洁 和 Airbnb 清洁. See everything on our San Francisco city page, or read about house cleaning in California.

San Francisco deep cleaning FAQ

Is San Francisco water hard?
No. SFPUC’s 2025 report shows average hardness of 62 ppm, and Hetch Hetchy water is around 8 ppm, so limescale is usually light. Glass can still spot, so dry it after cleaning.

How much does a deep clean cost in San Francisco?
Cleanster deep cleaning starts from $126 for a 2-hour minimum. Prices vary by location, and you see the price in the app before you book.

How do I stop mildew in a foggy SF apartment?
Run bathroom fans, open windows when weather allows, keep furniture slightly off exterior walls, and wipe sills and window frames regularly. A deep clean removes existing mildew from surfaces.

Can Recology pick up old furniture before my deep clean?
Yes. Most SF residents get free bulky item collections each year. Book at least two weeks ahead.

Cleanster 的清洁人员都经过背景调查吗？
Yes. Every cleaner passes a ClearChecks background check and provides 3 or more references.