If you are planning your week (or deciding how many hours to book), a simple question comes up fast: how long does house cleaning take? The honest answer is "it depends", but you can still estimate it well with a room-by-room approach.
Below is a practical time guide for regular home cleaning (maintenance cleaning). If you are doing a first-time clean, moving out, or cleaning after renovation, plan extra time.
What Changes The Cleaning Time The Most
These are the biggest factors that move the total time up or down:
- Home size and layout: studios vs 2-bedroom; open concept vs many small rooms.
- Number of bathrooms: bathrooms are usually the most time-intensive per square foot.
- Kitchen condition: grease, sticky surfaces, and old spills add time quickly.
- Clutter level: more items on surfaces means more time moving things before cleaning.
- Pets: hair on sofas/rugs and paw prints increase vacuuming and wiping time.
- Drying time: bathrooms and mopped floors may need extra time before they feel "done".
Room-By-Room Time Estimates (Regular Cleaning)
Use these as a starting point for an average lived-in home.
| Area | Typical tasks (examples) | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | tidy surfaces, dust, vacuum/mop | 15–35 min |
| Dining area | wipe table/chairs, vacuum/mop | 10–25 min |
| Kitchen | wipe counters, exterior of appliances, sink, stove area, floor | 25–60 min |
| Bedroom (each) | make bed, dust, vacuum/mop | 15–35 min |
| Bathroom (each) | toilet, sink, mirror, shower area, floor | 25–60 min |
| Laundry/utility | wipe surfaces, quick tidy, floor | 10–20 min |
| Balcony/yard (light) | quick sweep, wipe railing | 10–25 min |
Notes:
- If you want inside fridge/oven/cabinets, treat those as add-ons (see below).
- If your home has lots of glass, mirrors, or high dust areas, add time for detailing.
Example Totals (1–2 Bedroom, Condo, Landed)
These totals assume regular cleaning with 1 bathroom unless stated otherwise.
Studio Or 1-Bedroom Condo
- 1 bedroom + 1 bathroom + small kitchen + living area
- Typical total: 1.5–3.0 hours
2-Bedroom Condo
- 2 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + kitchen + living/dining
- Typical total: 2.5–4.5 hours
If you have 2 bathrooms, add 30–60 minutes.
2-Bedroom Landed Home (Smaller Layout)
- More floor area + more dust (often) + possibly outdoor spaces
- Typical total: 3.5–6.0 hours
If there is a staircase, add 15–30 minutes.
Add-On Tasks And How Much Extra Time They Need
If you plan to include deep-detail work, add time on top of your baseline:
| Add-on | Add time (typical) |
|---|---|
| Inside fridge (empty) | 20–45 min |
| Inside oven | 45–120 min |
| Inside kitchen cabinets (selected) | 30–90 min |
| Windows (interior, per room) | 10–25 min |
| Fan blades (per fan) | 5–10 min |
| Baseboards (whole home) | 30–90 min |
How To Make Cleaning Faster (Without Cutting Corners)
If you want the same outcome in fewer hours, prep matters:
- Declutter surfaces first: clear counters, coffee tables, and bathroom sinks.
- Put laundry in a basket: even if you do not wash it yet, it clears the floor fast.
- Group loose items: one tray/box per room prevents "where does this go?" delays.
- Share priority areas: tell the cleaner your top 2 rooms (for example kitchen + bathrooms).
- Secure pets: it reduces re-cleaning from pet traffic and makes vacuuming easier.
For a quick tidy before guests, this older guide is still useful: Guests Arriving? Speed Clean Your Home!
So How Many Hours Should You Book?
As a rule of thumb:
- Start with 2.5–3.0 hours for a typical 2-bedroom condo regular clean.
- Add 0.5–1.0 hour for each additional bathroom, heavier kitchen work, or extra clutter.
- Add 1.0–2.0+ hours for deep-clean add-ons like inside oven/cabinets.
If you are unsure, book based on your current baseline, then adjust next session once you learn what your home needs.
To book a session: Book a Maideasy cleaner.
FAQ
Is "deep cleaning" always longer than regular cleaning?
Usually yes. Deep cleaning includes detail work (built-up grime, edges, higher/hidden surfaces, inside appliances), so time increases quickly.
Why does the bathroom take so long?
Bathrooms have multiple surfaces that need scrubbing and rinsing (toilet, sink, shower area) and often require products to sit for a few minutes before wiping.
I am busy. What is the minimum I should clean weekly?
Prioritize high-use areas: kitchen counters/sink/stove area, toilets, and floors. This guide can help you build a routine: The Busy Person's Guide to House Cleaning
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