House Cleaning FAQ San Diego: Clinical Protocols Explained

We use 275°F Thermal Shock to permanently lift the colony structure. That "pink mold" is Serratia marcescens, a bacterium that builds a protective bacteria and grease buildup — a polysaccharide shield chemical cleaners cannot penetrate. Scrubbing only shears the visible surface layer; the root colony remains intact and regrows within days. Steam lifts and removes the structure.

It is the gold standard for safety. Our Dry Vapor system uses heat at 275°F to lift and remove build-up without introducing chemical agents. No residue remains on the treated surface. No synthetic fragrances. No VOCs. The process is 100% hypoallergenic, which is why families preparing nurseries and households with immunocompromised members request it most frequently.

275°F thermal shock is our primary deep-cleaning driver — it lifts embedded build-up and handles the majority of surface contamination through physics alone. Professional-grade agents are added only for residues that heat cannot break down on its own: lipid grease on range hoods and exhaust filters, mineral deposit scale on shower glass and chrome, and soap scum on tile grout. The sequence is always steam first, targeted surfactant second — never the reverse.

Every new client starts with a Deep Clean (Asset Reset) to establish a hygiene baseline. If your home hasn't been professionally cleaned in 30+ days, bacteria and grease buildup on baseboards, vents, and grout makes Standard cleaning ineffective. Once baseline is set, Standard Maintenance keeps it there. This protects your investment — not an upsell.

Most Deep Cleans take 3.5 to 4.5 hours for a standard home. We clean to a Verified Standard, not a time limit — our Certified Cleaning Specialists stay until the protocol is complete. You pay for the result, not the hour. Companies promising "2-hour deep cleans" skip the surfaces where bacteria and grease accumulate.

A regular cleaning covers everyday surfaces — countertops, sinks, toilets, floors, dusting, and vacuuming — on a recurring schedule starting at $170/visit. A deep cleaning ($285) includes all of that plus baseboards, cabinet exteriors, tile and grout scrubbing, vent covers, and all high-touch surfaces. Deep cleaning takes 4–6 hours vs. 2–3.5 hours for a regular visit, and is required before starting any recurring service.

No. To maintain a Verified Audit Trail for your security, we transact strictly via encrypted credit card. Funds are placed on a Temporary Hold 24 hours prior to service but are not charged until the work is verified as complete. Cash and check transactions cannot be integrated into our digital accountability system — authorization, timestamped checklists, and photo documentation all require a card-based transaction record.

Hourly dispatches buy dedicated labor hours, not a guaranteed final cosmetic outcome. Fine drywall dust stays airborne 48–72 hours after active vacuuming — surfaces that look clean on day one can show settling dust days later. If you set a time cap, our team works your highest-priority areas first. Any secondary pass after your purchased time expires requires a separate billable block.

We bill elapsed wall-clock hours at the standard $150/hr team rate. If one cleaner temporarily leaves (to retrieve equipment, etc.), we add a distinct line-item credit — Staff Absence Adjustment (1 Cleaner – 1 Hour): -$75.00 — so you only pay for the labor you received.

Every Maintenance Protocol visit covers all primary surfaces: countertops, sinks, toilets, showers, tubs, floors, baseboards (dusted), mirrors, and vacuuming throughout. 275°F thermal shock steam deep cleaning on wet-zone fixtures is standard every visit — never an add-on. Your dedicated Certified Cleaning Specialist rotates focus areas each visit to ensure high-contact zones don't accumulate buildup between sessions. All supplies and HEPA-13 filtration equipment are included. Nothing is billed separately.

Bi-weekly service means your Certified Cleaning Specialist visits every two weeks on a consistent scheduled day. Your first visit is a deep clean to establish a hygiene baseline — required before any recurring service begins. Subsequent visits follow the Maintenance Protocol, which maintains that baseline between sessions. Bi-weekly clients receive a flat per-visit rate that's lower than a one-time visit — no complicated math, no contract. Every 4th recurring visit includes one complimentary All Hard Surfaces steam upgrade ($80 value) at no charge.

Report any concern within 24 hours of your visit and we will return for a complimentary corrective clean — no charge, no argument. We clean to a verified standard, not a time limit, and we stand behind the result. The 24-hour window gives us the best opportunity to assess the surface in its post-service state. Requests submitted after 24 hours may reflect conditions introduced after the visit and fall outside the re-service scope.

Call (619) 853-3200 or email hello@bravomaids.com within 24 hours of your service date. Describe the specific area or surface you'd like us to revisit — the more specific, the faster we can schedule a return. We'll confirm a time with you directly, typically within 1–2 business days depending on Specialist availability. There is no fee and no paperwork for a corrective clean within the reporting window.

For recurring Maintenance Protocol service, booking 5–7 days ahead gives us sufficient time to assign your dedicated Certified Cleaning Specialist and confirm your preferred schedule. For a deep clean or move-out clean, 7–10 days is recommended — these are longer protocol visits requiring specific Specialist availability. Peak weeks (holidays, end-of-month move-outs) fill faster. Earlier is always better for date certainty.

We serve all of San Diego County, with regular service routes covering: La Jolla, Pacific Beach, North Park, Point Loma, Hillcrest, Mission Valley, Coronado, Del Mar, Encinitas, and Downtown San Diego. We also serve Ocean Beach, Mission Hills, Kensington, Normal Heights, City Heights, Bay Park, Linda Vista, Carmel Valley, and surrounding neighborhoods. Not sure if your address is covered? Call (619) 853-3200 or submit a booking request and we'll confirm coverage for your zip code.

Tipping is never required, but always appreciated. 100% of tips go directly to your Certified Cleaning Specialist. Our team earns a Living Wage ($30+/hr), so tips are a genuine bonus — not a subsidy for low pay.

Tipping is never required and never expected — Bravo Maids Certified Cleaning Specialists are vetted specialists paid a professional wage, not contractors working for tips. That said, a tip is always appreciated as a sign that your Specialist went above and beyond. If you'd like to tip, $10–$20 per visit is the most common range for recurring clients. The best "tip" for your Specialist is leaving a Google review — it directly supports their reputation and helps the team grow.

Not if you provide professional documentation. Our Move-Out service (Vacancy Reset) includes a Sanitization Receipt — a PDF certificate documenting every surface treated, protocols applied, and sanitization standards met. This is the proof your landlord needs to verify professional remediation for deposit recovery.

We hold your appointment slot for your dedicated Certified Cleaning Specialist — please give us at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule, and there is no charge. Changes made with less than 48 hours' notice are subject to a 25% fee, and changes within 24 hours a 50% fee, of the service total — applied to both cancellations and reschedules. To make a change, call (619) 853-3200 or email hello@bravomaids.com.

Yes. We carry $2M general liability insurance covering every specialist on our team. Our insurance coverage exceeds the requirements of most San Diego property managers and HOAs. COI documents are available on request for high-rise and commercial properties.

Our zero cross-contamination zoning protocol ensures bathroom surfaces and kitchen surfaces are serviced with entirely separate tools. A cloth that contacts a toilet never contacts a countertop. This outcome is enforced through zone-dedicated equipment sequencing — the same standard used in clinical environments.