It's the question we hear more than any other: "How long will you be at my place?" And honestly, we get why. You want to plan your day, know when to be home, and figure out whether you can squeeze in a few errands while we work. The honest answer is: it depends. But don't worry, we'll break it down so you know exactly what to expect.
The quick answer
For a regular clean, most homes take between two and six hours. A deep clean can stretch to a full day. Where your home lands depends mainly on its size, how tidy it is when we arrive, and how many cleaners show up.
Rough times by home size
Here's a handy guide based on one cleaner working alone:
| Home type | Regular clean | Deep clean |
|---|---|---|
| Bedsitter or studio | 1.5–2.5 hours | 3–4 hours |
| One-bedroom | 2–3 hours | 4–5 hours |
| Two-bedroom apartment | 3–4 hours | 5–7 hours |
| Three-bedroom or maisonette | 4–6 hours | 7–9 hours |
| Large bungalow or villa | 6+ hours | A full day or more |
Bring in a team of two or three cleaners and you can roughly cut those times in half. That's why many of our clients with bigger homes prefer a team. It's in and out, and your day stays yours.
What makes a clean take longer?
Think of it like this: cleaning time isn't only about square metres. A small flat that hasn't been cleaned in months can take longer than a big house that's kept up weekly. A few things tend to add time:
- Build-up. Grease on the cooker, limescale in the bathroom, and dust on ceiling fans all need a bit of patience.
- Clutter. If we have to move a dozen items before we can wipe a surface, that adds up fast.
- Pets. We love them, but fur on sofas and carpets takes extra passes.
- Nairobi dust. Especially in the dry season, it settles on everything, and windowsills and floors need more attention.
- Extras. Inside the fridge, inside the oven, windows, balcony, and upholstery all add time, and they're worth it.
Regular clean vs deep clean
A regular clean is your maintenance visit: dusting, sweeping and mopping, wiping surfaces, and freshening up the kitchen and bathrooms. A deep clean goes further. We're talking behind furniture, scrubbing grout, cleaning inside cupboards, descaling taps, and tackling the corners that get forgotten. If it's your first booking with us, or you're moving in or out, a deep clean is usually the best place to start. After that, regular visits become much quicker because we're only maintaining, not catching up.
How you can help us work faster
You don't need to tidy the whole house before we come (that's kind of our job!), but a few small things make a big difference:
- Clear the floors and surfaces of toys, laundry, and paperwork where you can.
- Put away valuables and anything fragile you'd rather we didn't handle.
- Tell us your priorities. If the kitchen matters most, we'll start there.
- Make sure water and electricity are on, since it saves surprising delays.
- Mention any problem spots like stubborn stains or a bathroom that needs extra love.
The bottom line
Most homes take a few hours, some take a full day, and the best way to get a precise estimate is to tell us about your space. Share the size of your home, the type of clean you want, and any extras, and we'll give you an honest time and price before we begin. No surprises, no rushing, just a home that feels fresh when you walk back in.
Ready to book? Reach out to Cleaner-Kenya and let's get your place sparkling.
