Historic Home Cleaning in Virginia-Highland, Atlanta, GA
A 1920s craftsman bungalow on Virginia Avenue has more trim, more built-ins and more original wood than three new houses put together. That is what makes these homes beautiful, and it is also why a quick wipe-down never looks finished. Here is how we clean historic homes in Virginia-Highland, Morningside and Druid Hills without harming the finishes that make them worth owning.
What Makes an Intown Historic Home Harder to Clean
Most of the homes we clean in Virginia-Highland and Druid Hills were built between 1910 and 1940. The construction details change the checklist.
More surfaces, more dust
Picture rails, wainscoting, window muntins, built-in bookcases, glass-front cabinets and radiator covers all collect dust. A modern home might have 40 feet of trim in a living room. A craftsman bungalow can have 200. Dusting is most of the work, and it has to be done with a damp cloth so the dust is lifted, not spread.
Original materials
Heart pine and oak floors with decades-old finishes, unlacquered brass hardware, plaster walls and original tile in the bathrooms. Each one has products it tolerates and products that stain, etch or strip it. Our teams carry neutral cleaners by default and ask before using anything stronger.
How We Clean a Craftsman or Tudor Home
The order matters more in an old house because dust travels. Working from the top of each room down and from the back of the house toward the front door keeps the finished rooms clean.
High dusting
Crown molding, picture rails, ceiling fans, the tops of built-ins and door casings. Many Morningside cottages have 9 and 10 foot ceilings, so we bring extension tools rather than climbing on furniture.
Built-ins and trim
Bookcases, window seats, mantels, wainscoting and baseboards wiped with a damp microfiber cloth. Glass-front cabinet doors cleaned inside and out. Window muntins dusted one pane at a time.
Kitchens and baths
Renovated kitchens get the full degreasing routine. Original bathrooms with hex tile and pedestal sinks are cleaned with non-abrasive products so the glaze on the old tile stays intact, and grout lines are scrubbed by hand.
Floors last
Vacuum with a hard-floor head so nothing scratches, then mop with a lightly damp pad. Old floors with worn finish get a dry mop only. Area rugs are vacuumed on both sides on deep cleaning visits.
Sunrooms and porches
Screened porches and sunrooms in these neighborhoods collect pollen and leaf debris. On a deep clean we wash the glass, wipe the sills and sweep and mop the porch floor.
A deep cleaning visit from start to finish. In a historic home the detail dusting is the longest part of the day.
Virginia-Highland, Morningside and Druid Hills
Three neighborhoods, three slightly different sets of homes and requests.
Virginia-Highland
- Craftsman bungalows and Tudor cottages around N. Highland and Virginia Avenue
- Many expanded with second floors and new kitchens
- Popular plan: biweekly cleaning with a seasonal deep clean
- Cleaning in Virginia-Highland
Morningside and Lenox Park
- 1930s brick cottages and Tudors, many enlarged for families
- Mud rooms, dogs and hardwoods on nearly every checklist
- Popular plan: weekly cleaning, which gets 20% off
- Cleaning in Morningside
Druid Hills
- Large 1910s and 1920s homes on Lullwater, Oakdale and Springdale
- Many rooms, old floors, shaded lots that bring in leaves and pollen
- Popular plan: deep cleaning twice a year plus biweekly visits
- Cleaning in Druid Hills
Also nearby: we clean the same kind of homes in Atkins Park, Poncey-Highland, Candler Park and Inman Park.
What We Never Use in a Historic Home
A short list, because the mistakes are expensive and permanent.
- Vinegar or acidic cleaners on marble, limestone or unsealed stone. They etch the surface and leave dull spots.
- Wet mops on old hardwood. Water gets between the boards and into finish that has worn thin. Damp microfiber only.
- Abrasive pads on original tile or porcelain. Scratches hold dirt and never come out.
- Polish on unlacquered brass. Many owners want the patina. We wipe it and leave the finish alone unless asked.
- Bleach near wood or plaster. It discolors both.
If you have a product your floor refinisher or contractor recommended, leave it out and we will use it. Our teams also work fragrance-free on request.
Common Questions
Can you clean the inside of built-in bookcases?
Yes. On a deep cleaning we remove and dust books and objects shelf by shelf. On a standard visit we dust the fronts and visible surfaces. Just tell us which you want.
Do you clean radiators and radiator covers?
We dust and wipe them on every deep clean and on standard visits when they are accessible. They collect a surprising amount of dust in the heating season.
My floors are original heart pine. Is that a problem?
Not at all. We vacuum with a soft floor head and use a barely damp pad. If the finish is worn, we dry mop. Let the team lead know and it goes in your file.
How long does a deep clean take in a 3 bedroom bungalow?
Usually 5 to 7 hours with two cleaners, depending on how much trim, built-in storage and window glass there is. We give a time estimate with the quote.
Do you serve Druid Hills on the DeKalb side?
Yes. We cover all of Druid Hills, including Emory Village and the streets near Fernbank, along with Decatur-side neighborhoods.
Get a Free Quote for Your Historic Home
Tell us the year the house was built, the number of rooms and what matters most to you. We will send an estimate the same business day.
Our Cleaning Services
Everything you need to keep your home or business spotless and fresh.
Recurring Cleaning
Deep Cleaning
Move in/out Cleaning
Carpet Extraction
Hard Floor Maintenance
Window Cleaning
Immaculate Cleans
A clean space changes how you feel, work, and live every day. Our professional team delivers detailed cleaning designed around your needs and schedule.
We focus on quality, consistency, and results you can see immediately. Let us handle the cleaning so you can enjoy your space stress-free. Tell us a few details about your space and we will send a fast, no-obligation estimate.
Ready for a spotless home in Metro Atlanta?
Text us a few photos and the rough size of the space. We reply fast with a written estimate. Quality cleaning with personal care.
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