Last reviewed: March 2026
Why Clinical Surface Standards Changed How San Diego Cleans
Most cleaners focus on Visuals (Does it look clean?). We focus on Vectors (Is the transmission chain broken?).
"When you understand how pathogens move through a home, you cannot unsee it. That is why we built these protocols."
— Jason Ellis, Clinical Director, Bravo Maids
The Origin: Trained to AAMI ST79 Clinical Surface Sanitation Standards
In 2018, Jason Ellis, founder of Bravo Maids, was trained to AAMI ST79 clinical surface sanitation standards through direct work in clinical surface preparation environments. The lesson was clear: surfaces lie.
A countertop can look spotless and still harbor biofilm colonies capable of making residents sick. A bathroom can smell fresh and still transfer fecal aerosolized particles to every surface within six feet.
AAMI ST79 clinical surface sanitation training introduced two concepts that changed everything:
- Biofilm: A protective matrix of bacteria that standard cleaners cannot penetrate. It requires surfactant disruption and mechanical agitation.
- Cross-Contamination: The transfer of pathogens from high-risk zones (toilets, sinks) to low-risk zones (kitchen counters, bedroom surfaces) via cleaning tools.
These principles became the foundation of every protocol we deploy in San Diego properties—from downtown high-rises near the Gaslamp Quarter to luxury condos overlooking La Jolla Cove.
The Protocols That Break the Chain
Three non-negotiable systems that separate clinical hygiene from cosmetic cleaning.
The Fecal Plume
When a toilet is flushed with the lid up, aerosolized particles travel up to six feet and remain airborne for hours.
Our Protocol: We insist on "Lids Down" flushing. Every bathroom surface within the plume radius is disinfected with EPA-registered agents on every visit.
This is not negotiable. It is microbiology.
The Color Code
A microfiber cloth used in a bathroom carries fecal coliforms. If that cloth touches a kitchen counter, you have just contaminated a food preparation surface.
Our Protocol: Red for bathrooms. Yellow for kitchens. Blue for general surfaces. Green for glass. No exceptions.
A bathroom cloth never touches a kitchen counter. Ever.
The Result
This is why we charge $382.50 for a Move-Out Clean. We are not selling "labor." We are selling hygiene.
What you get: Pathogen transmission chains broken. Biofilm disrupted. Cross-contamination eliminated. Clinical-grade protocols in every room.
You are paying for the invisible work that keeps your family safe.
Why $382.50 Is Not Expensive
When you hire a minimum-wage cleaning crew, you are paying for speed. They are incentivized to finish fast and move to the next job.
When you hire Bravo Maids, you are paying for precision. Our Certified Cleaning Specialists earn $30+ per hour because they are trained in protocols that take years to master.
What $382.50 Includes:
- Color-coded microfiber system to eliminate cross-contamination
- EPA-registered disinfectants for all high-touch surfaces
- Biofilm disruption protocols in kitchens and bathrooms
- Fecal plume mitigation in all bathroom zones
- Living-wage specialists (not minimum-wage labor)
- Optional steam disinfection ($80/room add-on)
The Wage Commitment
We do not use minimum-wage labor. We partner with Certified Cleaning Specialists earning a Living Wage ($30+ per hour). You get the top 1% of talent.
What This Means for You:
- Lower turnover (same team every visit)
- Higher accountability (they care)
- Better results (skill compounds over time)
- Trust (COI verified, not security cleared)
What This Means for Cleaners:
- Stable income (no gig volatility)
- Professional development (ongoing training)
- Respect (treated as skilled professionals)
- Pride (delivering clinical-grade work)
When cleaners are paid fairly, everyone wins. You get precision. They get dignity.
Experience the Difference
Book a Deep Clean and see what AAMI ST79-trained protocols look like in your home. From Pacific Gate to Coronado towers, we bring clinical-grade hygiene to San Diego's finest properties.
Deep Clean starts at $325 • Move-Out Clean $382.50 • Steam add-on $80/room