Deep cleaning, storstädning in Swedish, means the home is cleaned top to bottom rather than just on the surface. The kitchen is the most demanding part and often takes two to three hours on its own. The work earns a 50 percent RUT deduction on the labour.
Deep cleaning the kitchen, step by step
Above and behind
Start at the top, or dust and grease will fall onto surfaces you have already cleaned. The layer that collects on top of wall cabinets and the fridge is greasy and needs a degreaser, not just a cloth. Appliances are pulled out so the floor and the wall behind them can be reached.
Extractor hood and filter
The hood is degreased inside and out. The metal filter is lifted out and soaked in hot water with washing-up liquid, or run through the dishwasher if the manufacturer allows it. Carbon filters cannot be washed and are replaced, typically a couple of times a year depending on how much you cook.
Oven and hob
The oven is the most time-consuming item. Trays and racks are soaked, the door glass is cleaned, and many doors can be taken apart to reach between the panes. The hob and control knobs are cleaned, and on a gas hob the burners and caps are done separately.
Note that oven cleaning is often an add-on rather than part of the base price. Ask before booking.
Fridge and freezer
Empty and defrost the freezer well in advance, ideally 24 hours. Shelves and drawers are removed and washed, door seals wiped, and the cooling coils at the back vacuumed. The inside of the fridge and freezer is also frequently an add-on.
Cupboards, drawers and worktops
Cupboards and drawers are wiped inside, which assumes you have emptied them. Doors are cleaned on both sides, and the grease sits around the handles and edges. Worktops are degreased and the tile grout above them scrubbed.
Dishwasher, sink and drain
The dishwasher filter is removed and cleaned, along with the rubber seal around the door. The sink and tap are descaled and the trap underneath cleared. The bin cupboard is wiped out.
Deep cleaning the bathroom
The bathroom is the second most demanding room. It covers tiles and grout, the shower screen descaled, the floor drain lifted and cleared, the toilet cleaned behind and underneath, basin and taps descaled, mirror and cabinets inside, and the ceiling vent.
The rest of the home
- Walls dusted and marks removed where possible
- Skirting boards, plinths and door frames wiped
- Radiators cleaned, including between the fins
- On top of wardrobes, door frames and picture frames
- Window sills, and window cleaning if included
- Furniture vacuumed, including underneath and behind
- Light switches, sockets and door handles wiped
- Floors scrubbed into corners and along skirting boards
Deep cleaning in autumn
The autumn clean differs from the spring one in four places, and they are worth a dedicated session in October:
- The windows. Clean them before the dark arrives. From November to February the daylight is so scarce that dirty glass shows every day.
- The radiators. Dust behind and between the fins before the heating goes on, or the dust bakes on and smells.
- The hallway. It takes wet shoes and outdoor clothing for six months. Switch to a tougher mat and make room for drying.
- Garden furniture and textiles. Clean and dry them completely before storing, or you get mould by spring.
Window cleaning is RUT-eligible like other cleaning. Cleaning ventilation and extract ducts, however, is ROT work rather than RUT.
The outdoor half of the autumn clean is in the autumn garden cleanup.
Deep clean or regular clean?
Regular home cleaning is ongoing maintenance: vacuuming, mopping, bathroom and kitchen on the surface. Deep cleaning goes further and covers what never gets done, behind appliances, inside cupboards, skirting boards and radiators.
It suits a home after a long stretch without cleaning, after renovation or illness, before a big occasion, or as an annual reset. If you are moving out, what you need instead is move-out cleaning, which follows a specific inspection standard.
How long does it take?
Roughly four to six hours for a smaller flat, and a full working day for a larger home. Two cleaners halve the time. The kitchen alone takes two to three hours if the oven, extractor and appliances are included, which is useful when comparing quotes: a company budgeting three hours in total has almost certainly not included the kitchen in depth.
Price and the RUT deduction
Deep cleaning is usually charged by the hour, sometimes as a fixed price based on the size of the home. It is a household service and earns a 50 percent RUT deduction on the labour, up to the annual ceiling per person (Skatteverket). The company applies it directly on the invoice, so you pay half the labour cost.
The deduction applies whether you rent or own, unlike ROT. See cleaning costs and RUT.
How to prepare
- Tidy up, and empty the cupboards and drawers you want cleaned inside
- Defrost the freezer in advance
- Decide which add-ons you want, such as oven, fridge and freezer, or windows
- Make sure there is hot water, electricity and somewhere to put equipment
- Go through the checklist with the company before they start, so you agree on what is included
Common questions
What does deep cleaning the kitchen include?
Top to bottom: on top of the cupboards, extractor and filter, oven and hob, fridge and freezer inside and behind, cupboards and drawers inside, worktops, grout, sink and drain.
Is oven cleaning included in a deep clean?
It varies. Oven and the inside of the fridge and freezer are often add-ons. Ask what is in the base price.
What is the difference from regular home cleaning?
Regular cleaning maintains visible surfaces; deep cleaning reaches behind appliances, inside cupboards, skirting boards and radiators.
How long does a deep clean take?
Four to six hours for a smaller flat, a full day for a larger home. The kitchen alone is two to three hours with the oven included.
Does the home need to be tidy first?
Yes, particularly the cupboards and drawers you want cleaned inside.
Does deep cleaning qualify for the RUT deduction?
Yes, 50 percent on the labour (Skatteverket).
Related guides: home cleaning in Sweden, cleaning costs and RUT and move-out cleaning. Back to cleaning in Stockholm.