Understanding the Difference: Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Restoration
If you’ve ever tried to book a cleaning service and weren’t quite sure how to describe what you need — you’re not alone.
“Cleaning,” “deep cleaning,” “sanitizing,” and “restoration” might sound interchangeable, but they mean very different things in the professional cleaning world. Knowing the difference helps you communicate more clearly, set the right expectations, and get the results you’re looking for — especially when you’re dealing with commercial kitchens, bars, restaurants, or industrial spaces in Portland or Vancouver, WA.
Let’s break it all down.
🧼 Cleaning
Definition: The removal of visible dirt, dust, grease, and debris from surfaces using soap, detergent, and water.
What it includes:
Sweeping and mopping floors
Wiping down counters and equipment
Emptying trash
General tidying and upkeep
Use it when: You’re maintaining a space that’s already in decent condition. This is your routine janitorial service — not meant for tackling heavy buildup or hard-to-reach areas.
🧽 Deep Cleaning
Definition: A more detailed and intensive form of cleaning that targets grease, buildup, and neglected areas that standard cleaning doesn't touch.
What it includes:
Degreasing kitchen floors, walls, and equipment
Scrubbing behind, under, and inside appliances
Descaling, detail work, grout scrubbing
Cleaning ceiling vents, light fixtures, and hood filters
Use it when: Your space has gone beyond routine upkeep — maybe after a busy season, before/after inspections, or if you’re just overdue. This is especially common in restaurants, commercial kitchens, and bars.
🧴 Sanitizing
Definition: Reducing bacteria on surfaces to a safe level according to public health standards — usually done after cleaning.
What it includes:
Applying EPA-approved sanitizers to food contact surfaces
Targeting high-touch areas: doorknobs, counters, handles
Often part of food service or healthcare protocols
Use it when: You're dealing with food safety, health department guidelines, or illness prevention. Remember: you can’t sanitize dirt — surfaces must be cleaned first.
🔧 Restoration Cleaning
Definition: Returning a space to its original condition after damage or long-term neglect — includes heavy-duty cleaning, repairs, and sometimes demolition.
What it includes:
Removing years of grease or biofilm
Dealing with mold, smoke, water damage, or chemical corrosion
Stripping wax layers, re-coating, re-caulking, or refinishing
Use it when: Your space has suffered significant damage, been shut down for a long time, or you're preparing for reopening, rebranding, or an inspection. This often overlaps with commercial kitchen restoration or facility cleanups in industrial environments.
💬 Why It Matters
Understanding these terms makes it easier to:
Get an accurate quote
Set the right expectations
Avoid surprises on site
Prioritize your cleaning budget
At Grime Time Inc., we often hear, “Can you guys just come clean this?” — and while the answer is usually yes, the kind of cleaning makes a big difference in pricing, tools, chemicals, time, and manpower.
✅ Need Help Deciding?
If you're not sure which level of service you need, we’ll help you figure it out. We offer:
Commercial kitchen deep cleaning
Restaurant and bar floor restoration
Strip and wax floor care
Ongoing janitorial
Sanitization add-ons
And everything in between
Serving Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, our team brings over a decade of experience handling some of the dirtiest, greasiest, toughest cleaning challenges out there.
🧠 Let’s Talk Clean — On Your Terms
Now that you know the lingo, you can call or email with confidence. Whether you need a basic clean or a full restoration, we’ll help you get it done right.
Have questions or want a quote? Get in touch today.