Frequently Asked Questions
Honest answers to the things people actually ask about having their home or rental cleaned by Dustless Living. It’s a one-woman service (with a helper warming up), so communication stays personal.
Still unsure if your situation fits? You can always send photos with your booking or use the Online Quote Calculator so we can give you a calm, realistic plan for your space.
For the fine print (cancellations, lockouts, damage, eco product disclosure), please see our Service Policies.
A standard clean is ideal for homes that are lived-in but not extremely messy. It focuses on:
- Dusting reachable surfaces and decor
- Wiping counters, tables, and visible fingerprints
- Bathroom refresh (toilet, sink, tub/shower, mirrors)
- Kitchen refresh (stovetop wipe, exterior of appliances, sink)
- Spot vacuuming/sweeping & mopping main floors using your vacuum & mop
- Light tidying such as straightening pillows and blankets
It’s meant to keep things maintained between deeper resets – perfect for recurring weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly visits.
Deep cleans go further into the “hidden” areas that collect dust, grease, and buildup. In addition to everything in a standard clean, a deep clean may include:
- Baseboards, door frames, and switch plates
- Inside microwave and small appliances
- More detailed bathroom scrubbing and descaling
- Extra time for tough areas like shower grout, stove knobs, and backsplashes
- Extra tidying in high-traffic spaces (entryway, living room, kitchen)
For most first-time visits, we recommend a deep clean first, then lighter recurring maintenance afterwards.
Not always, but often. The first visit is where we “reset” your space so it’s easier (and cheaper) to maintain afterward.
If your home is already very tidy and just needs light upkeep, we may start with a standard clean. If there is visible buildup, clutter, or it has been a long time since your last professional clean, a deep clean or move-in/move-out style visit is usually recommended.
You can use the Online Quote Calculator and rate your mess level from 1–10 to help us decide together.
To keep everyone safe and realistic, some tasks are outside our normal scope or require a custom quote:
- Heavy decluttering, hoarding situations, or large trash removal
- Biohazards (animal waste, infestations, strong nicotine, mold, bodily fluids)
- Large furniture moving, appliance disconnection, or handyman-style repairs
- Exterior windows, high ladder work, or outdoor power washing
If you’re unsure, send photos or mention it in your booking notes and we’ll let you know if it’s something we can do or refer out.
Pricing is a mix of home size, mess level, add-ons, and travel. During quoting, we ask you to rate your home from 1–10:
- 1–3 — already tidy, just needs a reset
- 4–6 — average lived-in mess (most homes)
- 7–8 — heavy mess, lots of buildup or clutter
- 9–10 — very challenging / requires extra time
This helps us estimate realistic hours and energy. Final pricing is always confirmed with you before we lock anything in.
You can play with different scenarios inside the Pricing & Estimator page.
It’s completely up to you. Many clients prefer to be away at work or errands and come home to a finished space.
You have three options:
- Be home and let us in personally
- Provide a door code or buzz code
- Use a lockbox or trusted neighbour for key access
All access details are kept private and only used for your bookings.
No need to “pre-clean” for your cleaner. But a few small steps help us spend more time on actual cleaning:
- Do basic tidying of dishes and laundry where possible
- Clear floors of toys, clothes, and personal belongings as much as you can
- Put away important documents, cash, and valuables so nothing is accidentally moved
- Make sure we know about any alarms, pets, or parking instructions
If life is chaotic and you can’t tidy beforehand, just let us know — we’ll adjust expectations and the quote together.
I arrive with eco cleaners, microfiber cloths, detailing brushes, and any booked steam tools. To avoid cross-home contamination, I always use the vacuum and mop you keep on site — please have them accessible before I arrive.
Need product adjustments for allergies or fragrance sensitivities? Just add a note in your booking, and I’ll follow it.
We lean toward low-tox, pet-conscious, and kid-friendly formulas and avoid using harsh products unless absolutely necessary for heavy buildup.
If someone in your home has asthma, allergies, or is sensitive to fragrance, please tell us in advance. We can:
- Use fragrance-free or gentler options where possible
- Ventilate more carefully while we work
- Avoid specific ingredients you list
You can also opt for our future fragrance-free product line via the Eco & Safety page.
You can reschedule or cancel up to 48 hours before your appointment at no charge.
Last-minute changes (less than 48 hours), same-day cancellations, or lockouts may be charged a partial fee, especially for deep cleans and first-time visits where a large time block was reserved for you.
Full details are listed on our Service Policies page.
Yes. We offer Airbnb turnover and move-in/move-out cleans with add-ons like inside fridge, oven, cabinets, and more detailed staging.
These visits usually take longer than a standard clean and benefit from photos so we can plan laundry, bed changes, and inventory checks if needed.
Please mention if you’re a landlord or host when booking so we can tailor the checklist to your property.
Yes. After your first visit, you can move to weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly maintenance cleans. Recurring clients are usually on a lower rate than one-time deep cleans because we’re maintaining rather than resetting.
We also run occasional promos like Fresh Start offers, referral rewards, and loyalty perks. You can find the current ones on the home page or in your reminder emails.
Our main service area includes Hamilton, Burlington, Waterdown, Stoney Creek, and Ancaster.
For homes that require longer transit, complex parking, or multiple trips, a small travel fee may apply. This will always be mentioned in your quote first — no surprise fees on cleaning day.
You can see a quick overview on the map on our home page or ask directly when you request a quote.
Didn’t see your question here? Message us on social, send a note with your quote request, or use the chat bubble in the corner to ask something specific about your home.