Professional house cleaning services in Wayzata, MN include dusting, vacuuming, mopping, kitchen sanitizing, and bathroom scrubbing — handled by trained, insured cleaners on a schedule that fits your life. Homeowners across the Lake Minnetonka area trust local providers like MJM Cleaning Service because we show up on time, use safe products, and treat every home like our own.
But hiring a cleaning service isn’t just about getting someone through the door. It’s about finding a team you trust with your keys, your family’s health, and the spaces where your kids play on the floor. After years of serving Wayzata, Minnetonka, and Plymouth families, our owner Tania Gordon has heard every question — and a few horror stories from homeowners who hired the wrong company first.
This guide covers exactly what professional house cleaning includes, how much it costs in our area, and how to spot a great cleaner from a mediocre one.
What Does Professional House Cleaning Include?
Professional house cleaning covers the essential tasks that keep your home hygienic, organized, and comfortable between deep cleans. A typical visit includes all main living areas — kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and common spaces — with tasks tailored to your home’s specific needs.
That said, not every company defines “house cleaning” the same way. Here’s what you should expect — and what usually falls outside a standard visit.
Standard Cleaning Tasks (Room-by-Room Breakdown)
A standard cleaning covers the surfaces and spaces you interact with daily:
Kitchen:
- Wipe down countertops, backsplashes, and stovetop
- Clean exterior of appliances (microwave, oven, refrigerator)
- Scrub and sanitize the sink
- Wipe cabinet fronts and handles
- Empty trash and replace liner
- Sweep and mop the floor
Bathrooms:
- Scrub and disinfect toilets (inside and out)
- Clean mirrors, countertops, and sinks
- Wipe down shower walls and tub
- Clean fixtures and faucets
- Sweep and mop the floor
Bedrooms & Living Areas:
- Dust all surfaces, shelves, and décor
- Vacuum carpets and rugs
- Dust ceiling fan blades (within reach)
- Make beds (or change linens if left out)
- Wipe light switches and door handles
Throughout the Home:
- Vacuum or mop all hard floors
- Empty all trash cans
- Spot-clean visible marks on walls
- Wipe baseboards (within standard reach)
What’s NOT Typically Included (Setting Expectations)
This is where misunderstandings happen. Standard house cleaning usually does not include:
- Inside ovens, refrigerators, or dishwashers
- Interior windows or window tracks
- Grout scrubbing or deep tile work
- Moving heavy furniture to clean behind it
- Organizing closets or decluttering
- Laundry, dishes in the sink, or pet cleanup
- Garage, attic, or basement cleaning
These tasks fall under deep cleaning or specialty services. If you need them, just ask — we add them as extras all the time.
Standard vs. Deep Cleaning vs. Move-Out Cleaning: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Standard Cleaning | Deep Cleaning | Move-Out Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Weekly or bi-weekly | Every 3–6 months | One-time |
| Surface cleaning | ✅ All rooms | ✅ All rooms | ✅ All rooms |
| Inside appliances | ❌ | ✅ Oven, fridge, microwave | ✅ All appliances |
| Behind furniture | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Baseboards & vents | Light dusting | ✅ Detailed scrubbing | ✅ Detailed scrubbing |
| Inside cabinets/drawers | ❌ | Optional | ✅ |
| Window tracks & sills | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Wall spot cleaning | Light | ✅ Thorough | ✅ Full walls |
| Ideal for | Ongoing maintenance | Seasonal refresh | Lease-end or home sale |
| Avg. time (3BR home) | 2–3 hours | 4–6 hours | 5–8 hours |
Pro tip from Tania: “I always recommend starting with a deep clean if it’s your first time hiring us. It gives our team a clean baseline, and then your recurring standard cleanings are faster and more affordable.”
How to Choose the Best House Cleaning Service in Wayzata
The right house cleaning service shows up when promised, cleans thoroughly, communicates clearly, and earns your trust over time. The wrong one cancels last-minute, cuts corners, and leaves you re-cleaning surfaces yourself. Here’s how to tell them apart before you hand over your house key.
Check for Insurance and Bonding
This is non-negotiable. Any cleaning company working inside your home should carry general liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage. If a cleaner is injured in your home or accidentally damages property, insurance protects both of you.
Ask for proof — a legitimate company will provide a certificate without hesitation. At MJM, we’re fully insured, and Tania personally verifies coverage is current every year.
Read Local Reviews (Google, Yelp, Nextdoor)
National franchises collect reviews across hundreds of locations. A 4.2-star rating spread across 47 states doesn’t tell you much about the team that’ll actually clean your Wayzata home.
Focus on reviews from your specific area. Look for comments that mention:
- Consistency (“They come every two weeks and never miss a spot”)
- Trust (“I leave my key under the mat and come home to a perfect house”)
- Communication (“They texted me when they were on the way”)
MJM has 30+ reviews with a 4.7-star average — and nearly all of them are from families right here in the west metro.
Ask About Their Cleaning Products
This matters more than most people realize. Some companies use harsh chemicals to get surfaces “shiny” fast. That shine comes with fumes that linger for hours, especially in Minnesota winters when your windows stay shut for months.
Ask whether the company offers eco-friendly or low-VOC options. If you have kids crawling on the floor or pets licking their paws, this isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Understand Pricing Transparency
A trustworthy company will give you a clear estimate before setting foot in your home. Be wary of vague quotes like “it depends” with no follow-up.
Good pricing communication looks like this:
- A flat rate or hourly rate explained upfront
- A clear list of what’s included (and what costs extra)
- No hidden fees for supplies, travel, or “complexity”
🚩Red Flags to Watch For
No insurance documentation available
Can’t provide references from local clients
No written estimate or contract
Cash-only payments with no receipt
High employee turnover (different cleaners every visit)
Won’t let you meet the cleaning team beforehand
10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a House Cleaner
Use this checklist during your first call or consultation:
- Are you licensed and insured? Can you provide proof?
- Do your employees pass background checks?
- What’s included in a standard cleaning visit?
- How do you handle damage or breakage?
- Do you bring your own supplies and equipment?
- What cleaning products do you use? Are non-toxic options available?
- Can I get the same cleaning team each visit?
- What’s your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
- Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?
- Can I customize the cleaning to focus on specific rooms or tasks?
How Much Does House Cleaning Cost in Wayzata & Minnetonka?
House cleaning in the Wayzata and Minnetonka area typically ranges from 130to350+ per visit, depending on your home’s size, condition, and the type of service you need. These rates reflect the west metro Minnesota market as of 2026 — not national averages, which often skew lower because they include rural areas with a lower cost of living.
Pricing Ranges by Home Size (Standard Cleaning)
| Home Size | Estimated Cost Range | Avg. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom / Studio | 100–150 | 1.5 – 2 hours |
| 2 Bedrooms | 130–200 | 2 – 2.5 hours |
| 3 Bedrooms | 180–280 | 2.5 – 3.5 hours |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 250–400+ | 3.5 – 5 hours |
Deep cleaning and move-out cleaning typically cost 30–50% more than standard cleaning rates.
Factors That Affect Your Price
- Square footage — A 3,500 sq ft lakefront home costs more than a 1,200 sq ft townhome
- Number of bathrooms — Bathrooms take the most time per room
- Pets — Pet hair removal adds time (and lint rollers)
- Frequency — Weekly clients pay less per visit than one-time bookings
- Add-on services — Inside the fridge, interior windows, laundry folding
- Home condition — A well-maintained home cleans faster than one that hasn’t been touched in months
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professional maids and housekeeping cleaners earned a median hourly wage of $15.29 nationally in 2024 — but rates in suburban Minnesota run higher due to the cost of living and demand in communities like Wayzata and Plymouth.
Want a personalized quote? Every home is different. Call us at 1-800-999-9084 or request a free estimate — no pressure, no obligation.
5 Common Mistakes Wayzata Homeowners Make When Hiring a Cleaner
After years of hearing from families across Wayzata, Minnetonka, and Plymouth who switched to us after a bad experience, Tania Gordon has seen the same patterns repeat. Avoid these costly mistakes.
1. Choosing the cheapest option without checking insurance. A $75 cleaning sounds great — until someone damages your hardwood floor or gets injured in your home and you discover they have no coverage. The cheapest quote often carries the highest hidden risk.
2. Not asking for the same cleaning team each visit. Consistency matters more than most homeowners realize. When the same team cleans your home every time, they learn the layout, your preferences, and which areas need extra attention. Rotating strangers means retraining every visit.
3. Skipping the initial deep clean. “I always recommend starting with a deep clean if it’s your first time working with a professional service,” says Tania Gordon. “It gives the team a clean baseline, and then your recurring standard cleanings are faster and more affordable.”
4. Not asking about cleaning products. Minnesota winters keep windows sealed for five months straight. If your cleaner uses harsh chemicals during that time, you’re breathing VOC fumes with zero ventilation. Always ask whether eco-friendly, low-VOC products are available — especially if you have kids or pets.
5. Hiring a national franchise without reading local reviews. A 4.2-star rating across 47 states doesn’t tell you how the team assigned to your Lake Minnetonka neighborhood actually performs. Check Google, Yelp, and Nextdoor reviews specifically from Wayzata and Minnetonka homeowners. Local reputation is what matters.
House Cleaning Tips from the Pros
You don’t need to hire us every week to keep a clean home. Here are seven tips our team swears by — the same habits they practice in their own homes.
1. Clean top to bottom, every single time. Dust falls. If you mop the floor first and then dust the shelves, you just created more floor work. Start with ceiling fans, work down to countertops, and finish with floors.
2. Keep a caddy of supplies in every bathroom. A spray bottle of all-purpose cleaner, a microfiber cloth, and a toilet brush in each bathroom makes quick touch-ups effortless. You’ll spend 3 minutes instead of 15.
3. Wipe your stovetop after every meal. Grease splatters harden overnight. A 30-second wipe after cooking prevents the caked-on grime that takes 20 minutes to scrub later.
4. Vacuum high-traffic areas twice a week. Minnesota homes take a beating — especially near entryways during winter. Road salt and dirt grind into carpet fibers. Two quick passes per week extends your carpet’s life by years.
5. Rotate your “forgotten” tasks monthly. Baseboards, light switch plates, doorknobs, and vent covers collect grime silently. Pick one forgotten task per week and rotate through them monthly.
6. Declutter before you clean. You can’t wipe a countertop buried under mail. Spend five minutes putting things away before cleaning, and every task goes twice as fast.
7. Use microfiber, not paper towels. Microfiber cloths capture dust and bacteria — paper towels push them around. They’re also reusable, which saves money and reduces waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I get my house cleaned professionally?
Most Wayzata families book bi-weekly cleanings to maintain a comfortable home. Households with kids, pets, or allergies benefit from weekly service. If you entertain frequently or have a larger home near Lake Minnetonka, weekly visits keep things effortlessly guest-ready without marathon cleaning sessions on weekends.
What’s the difference between standard cleaning and deep cleaning?
Standard cleaning handles everyday maintenance — dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and sanitizing kitchens and bathrooms. Deep cleaning goes further: inside appliances, behind furniture, detailed baseboard scrubbing, window tracks, and grout work. We recommend a deep clean every three to six months with standard cleanings in between.
Do I need to be home during the cleaning?
Not at all. Most of our clients give us a spare key or garage code and go about their day. You’ll come home to a spotless house. Some families prefer to be home the first visit to walk us through preferences, and that’s completely fine too.
Are your cleaning products safe for kids and pets?
Yes. We use eco-conscious, low-VOC products that are safe for children, pets, and allergy-sensitive family members. If you have specific product preferences or sensitivities, let us know — we’re happy to accommodate. Your family’s health comes before a shinier countertop.
Do you bring your own cleaning supplies?
We bring all supplies and professional-grade equipment — vacuums, mops, microfiber cloths, and cleaning solutions. You don’t need to stock anything. If you’d prefer we use a specific product you already own, just leave it out and we’ll use it.
How do I prepare my home before cleaners arrive?
Quick pickup goes a long way. Clear countertops of dishes and personal items, pick up clothes and toys from the floor, and secure any valuables or breakable items. This lets our team spend their time actually cleaning — not working around clutter.
Can I customize which rooms get cleaned?
Absolutely. Some clients want us to focus entirely on kitchens and bathrooms. Others skip the guest bedroom that nobody uses. We build a custom cleaning plan around your priorities so you’re only paying for what matters to you.
Ready for a Cleaner Home? Let’s Talk.
I started MJM Cleaning Service because I believe everyone in our community deserves a home they feel proud to walk into. Not a home cleaned by strangers you’ll never see again — a home cared for by neighbors who know the difference between good enough and genuinely clean.
If you’re in Wayzata, Minnetonka, Plymouth, or anywhere in the west metro, I’d love to hear from you. Even if it’s just a question — no pressure, no hard sell. That’s not how we do things.
Call Tania and the MJM team at 1-800-999-9084 Or request your free estimate online — we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
We can’t wait to earn your trust.
— Tania Gordon, Owner, MJM Cleaning Service
