Home disinfection specialists near you

When looking for a professional to disinfect your home, it's good practice to follow these steps:

• Verify their credentials and insurance: Look for pros with general liability insurance. While specific disinfection licenses are uncommon, certifications from organizations like the IICRC or GBAC show a commitment to industry standards. Requirements vary by region.

• Get several estimates: A good estimate should clearly list the areas to be treated, the type of disinfectant used, the application method (like fogging or wiping), and a full cost breakdown.

• Read their reviews: Positive reviews often mention thoroughness, professionalism, and clear communication. Be cautious of feedback that points to strong, lingering chemical odors, missed spots, or unexpected fees.

• Look at their portfolios: While it's hard to "see" disinfection, look for photos of their team using proper equipment and personal protective gear (PPE). This demonstrates a professional and safe approach to their work.

• Find out if they have warranties: Most pros won’t offer a long-term warranty against germs, but many provide a satisfaction guarantee. This means they may re-treat an area if you’re not happy with the initial service.

• Ask important questions: Before hiring, ask what disinfectants they use and if they are EPA-approved. You should also ask about the safety precautions you, your family, and your pets need to take.

It usually takes a few hours for a professional to disinfect a home. Factors that may impact how long it takes include:

• Size of the area: A larger home with more rooms will usually require more time to treat than a smaller apartment.

• Level of contamination: A routine, preventative cleaning is much faster than a deep disinfection needed after a known illness in the home.

• Type of disinfectant used: Some professional-grade disinfectants need to sit on surfaces for a specific "dwell time" to kill germs effectively.

• Clutter and accessibility: If a pro needs to move furniture or navigate around a lot of clutter, it can add to the overall project time.

• Preparation and ventilation: The time it takes to prepare the area for treatment and air it out afterward can also affect the total duration.

Remember: The timeline for your project will vary depending on many factors. Always ask your pro to provide an estimate.

There are several factors that might impact the cost of this project, including:

• Size of the space. The total square footage of the area you need disinfected is a primary cost driver. A larger home or commercial space generally requires more time and product to treat.

• Level of contamination. A routine, preventative disinfection typically costs less than a deep cleaning needed after a known illness, like the flu or COVID-19, has been present in the space.

• Disinfection method. The specific techniques and products used can influence the price. For example, services like electrostatic spraying or fogging may have different costs than manual wipe-downs.

• Accessibility of the area. A pro may charge more if a space is heavily cluttered or has many hard-to-reach surfaces, as this can add to the time and labor required for a thorough job.

• Frequency of service. You’ll often find that a one-time deep disinfection has a different price than setting up a recurring service for weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly treatments.

There are many questions to ask a cleaning service before you hire them to make sure they’re the right fit. These questions might include:

• How much do you charge?

• How do you set your prices -- per hour or per square foot? Or, do you charge a flat rate?

• What is your past work experience? Can I see a list of references?

• Are you accustomed to working with different home or apartment types and sizes?

• Can you work with children or pets in the house?

• What types of cleaning products do you use?

• Do you bring your own cleaning supplies and products?

• How often can you clean my home?

• Is there anything you recommend I do (or don't do) to my home before you arrive?

For more tips on how to hire the best maid or house cleaning service, read our smart hiring guide.

When searching for the best house cleaning service near you, consider the depth of your cleaning needs, your budget and the size and condition of your home. Read reviews from verified customers of any cleaning service that you’re looking to hire. Also, check out the reviewers’ photos and do background checks on reviewers to ensure they’re not employed by established cleaning firms or maid agencies. 

When viewing house cleaners on Thumbtack, you might see a Top Pro badge. This indicates that the service is one of the most popular and highly-rated professionals using the platform.

Professionals typically disinfect an entire house using a systematic, room-by-room approach combined with commercial-grade products and equipment. Techniques might include:

• Pre-cleaning surfaces: Dirt and debris will usually be removed first so disinfectants can work effectively.

• EPA-approved disinfectants: Pros often use hospital-grade solutions designed to kill viruses and bacteria.

• Electrostatic sprayers: These tools evenly coat surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas.

• High-touch focus: Pros might often pay extra attention to doorknobs, switches, railings, and fixtures.

• Proper dwell time: Surfaces usually need to remain wet for the required time to ensure effective disinfection.

Pros will typically also wear protective gear and follow safety guidelines to ensure thorough, safe results.

Before your pro arrives to disinfect your home, take these steps to ensure a safe and efficient appointment:

Step 1: Clear the area. Remove personal items, clutter, food, and dishes from the surfaces you want disinfected. This gives your pro clear access to do a thorough job.

Step 2: Secure pets and children. For their safety, make arrangements for children and pets to be in another room or out of the house during the service. This also helps the pro work without interruptions.

Step 3: Discuss high-touch points. Be ready to point out specific high-touch areas you're concerned about, like doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls. This helps ensure your pro focuses on the spots that matter most to you.

Step 4: Provide access. Make sure there's a clear path for your pro to enter your home and access all the rooms included in the service. If you won't be home, arrange for key access ahead of time.

Step 5: Plan for ventilation. Ask your pro about their process and if you'll need to ventilate the area during or after the service. Opening windows can help dissipate any lingering fumes or odors.

Common reasons to hire a disinfection professional include:

• Recent illness: Someone in your household has recovered from a contagious illness, and you want to reduce the risk of it spreading to others.

• Lingering odors: You notice persistent musty or unpleasant smells that regular cleaning doesn’t resolve, which could point to hidden mold or bacteria.

• Moving into a new home: You want a fresh start and peace of mind knowing your new space has been thoroughly sanitized before you move in.

• Compromised immune systems: A family member is immunocompromised, elderly, or a newborn, requiring a higher standard of cleanliness to protect their health.

• After a pest infestation: You’ve dealt with pests like rodents or insects and need to safely disinfect the areas they contaminated.

Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting can all reduce germs — but they work in different ways and to different levels:

• Cleaning: Often removes dirt, dust, and some germs from surfaces using soap or detergent and water. It lowers the number of germs but doesn’t necessarily kill them.

• Sanitizing: Usually reduces germs to safe levels based on public health standards. It kills more bacteria than cleaning alone.

• Disinfecting: Typcially uses chemicals to kill most viruses and bacteria on surfaces. It usually requires proper dwell time to be effective.

In most homes, cleaning is routine, while disinfecting is used when there’s a higher risk of illness.