Northern Virginia has no shortage of older housing stock, from early-20th-century homes in Arlington’s established neighborhoods to older farmhouses and colonials scattered through Falls Church, McLean, and Vienna. A house from that era has features a newer build lacks, and a few of them change how you should ask for a cleaning.
Original Materials Need a Gentler Approach
Old homes often have special materials new ones don’t. Old hardwood, plaster walls, old tile, and old hardware need care. Hard scrubbing or wrong products can hurt these. Scrubbing can strip finish or wear down surfaces. These were not made for strong cleaning products. If you have old materials, tell us when you ask for a quote. We can talk before we clean.
Plaster Walls vs. Drywall
Plaster is more rigid than drywall. It cracks easier from pressure. Drywall would be okay, but plaster cracks. If it already has small cracks, hard wiping makes them worse. Light dusting works better on plaster than hard pressure.
Older Hardwood Floors
Original hardwood in a century-old home has usually been refinished at least once, sometimes several times, and the finish type matters. Older shellac or wax finishes react differently to water and cleaning products than modern polyurethane. Our guide on cleaning tips by flooring type covers the general principles, but an older home’s specific finish history is worth flagging directly if you know it.
Radiators and Older HVAC Systems
Homes with radiator heat collect dust different from homes with forced air. Dust builds up around and behind radiators, not through vents. These spots are hard to reach. Tell us when you book if radiators bother you. Dust builds up behind and under them over time.
Basements and Foundations in Older Homes
Old basements in this area are more humid than new ones. New basements have vapor barriers and sump systems. Northern Virginia summers are humid. Old basements often have a musty smell. This is common. If your basement is finished and you use it as a room, tell us when you book. We can include it in the visit.
Working With the Home’s Age, Not Against It
A house that has stood for eighty or a hundred years has settled and been patched in ways a newer one hasn’t. Surfaces that have aged will not look new again, however hard you scrub, so the sensible goal is a clean home with its finishes still intact. That means lighter pressure and gentler products on the older materials.
Neighborhood-Specific Considerations
Homes near DC are old and close together. Homes farther out are newer. See our post on Arlington vs. McLean vs. Vienna to see how cleaning needs are different.
What to Flag Before Your First Visit
- Original wood floor finish type, if known
- Any known plaster crack areas or fragile trim work
- Vintage tile or fixtures that need a gentler product approach
- Basement moisture history, if any
Pricing Stays the Same, the Approach Adjusts
Old homes don’t have different prices by default. Standard cleaning starts at $135+ and deep cleaning at $210+ for a studio. Prices go up by home size like any other home. What changes is how carefully we treat old materials. We can only plan once you tell us what is in your home.
Arlington Home Cleaning is licensed and insured. We serve Arlington VA and Ashburn VA. Call 571-350-0866 or send a request through our booking page.