Moving day finally arrived – you made it to your new home! As you gaze around at the boxes piled high and the jumble of furniture in each room, the task of organizing this new space might seem daunting. But before you can relax and enjoy your updated living quarters, there’s one essential job that should top your move-in cleaning checklist: complete a thorough deep clean of the entire home.
Why is move-in cleaning so crucial?
For starters, realize it’s unlikely the previous residents or apartment management did a meticulous cleaning job beforehand. That means hidden dirt, sticky grime, and built-up dust await you behind appliances, under cabinets, and along baseboards. Don’t unpack into a dirty home – you’ll just have to re-wash everything later! Starting with a sparkling clean slate makes decorating and organizing that much smoother.
A detailed apartment cleaning checklist also allows you to spot potential issues early – leaky faucets, clogged drains, carpet stains – and document any apartment unit damage not caused by you. This protects your security deposit down the road. Well, you can absolutely hire a cleaning company to help you out, but if you want to do it yourself, it would also be best.
Room-By-Room Move-In Cleaning Checklist
Kitchen Thorough Cleaning Checklist
Give this germ-prone workspace a thorough scrubbing from top to bottom.
- Clear all countertops completely – stovetop, sinks, islands. Remove any appliances.
- Scrub counters and backsplashes free of sticky spills and splatters.
- Scour the sink and faucet till they gleam. Remember the drain area.
- Wipe down the outside of all appliances. Don’t forget the handles!
- Clean inside microwave, oven, fridge, and dishwasher if left by the previous owner.
- Sweep, then thoroughly mop floors – get those corners!
- Wash any glass cabinet doors, shelving, and windows.
- Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and the tops of cabinets.
- Take inventory of any supplies needed – dish soap, sponges, fridge deodorizer.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms harbor all kinds of unseen yuckiness. Disinfect every inch.
- Clear countertops of toiletries and accessories.
- Clean the mirror(s) and medicine cabinets inside and out.
- Scrub the sink, faucet, handles, and wipe down the exterior.
- Sanitize and descale the toilet bowl and base. Don’t forget the lid and handle!
- Spray down the shower and tub then scrub away soap scum and mildew.
- Mop or scrub bathroom floors, getting into all corners.
- Sweep and vacuum floor edges to remove every speck of dust and hair.
- Take out trash cans and disinfect them. Provide fresh liner bags.
- Restock toilet paper rolls, paper towels, hand soap.
Living Spaces
Give your main living areas a refreshing clean before move-in day.
- Vacuum all carpets and rugs thoroughly, plus under all furniture edges.
- Mop hard surface floors – wood, tile, vinyl, etc. Get those corners!
- Dust ceiling fans, lampshades, sconces, and light fixtures.
- Clean inside all windows and sliding glass doors. Don’t forget the tracks and screens!
- Wipe down baseboards and trim to remove scuffs and dirt buildup.
- Clean out the fireplace if you have one. Remove ash and wipe out.
- Launder any window treatments the previous owner left behind.
- Supply new HVAC filters if needed.
- Spot clean walls and touch up paint where necessary.
Bedrooms
Give your dream bedroom the spic and span treatment.
- Vacuum carpets and rugs from wall-to-wall under beds too.
- Dust ceiling fans, lampshades, and light fixtures.
- Clean windows and wipe down windowsills.
- Sweep and mop hard surface floors – don’t forget closets!
- Remove hair and dust build-up from baseboards and trim.
- Disinfect doorknobs and switch covers.
- Make sure smoke detectors have fresh batteries.
- Wash bedding left behind by the previous owner before using.
Furniture
Wipe down all furnishings before placing food on them in your sparkling clean rooms.
- Remove dust from surfaces and vacuum inside upholstered pieces.
- Disinfect tables, chairs, nightstands, and dressers with a quality cleaner.
- Inspect mattresses for signs of stains or bed bugs before putting on fresh linens.
- Shampoo clean any carpets or rugs planning to reuse.
- Use disinfecting wipes on surfaces of other items: TV stands, computer desks, etc.
Other Spaces
Don’t overlook these sometimes forgotten spots:
- Sweep out and hose down garage or storage spaces.
- Vacuum and wipe down laundry room surfaces and appliances.
- Clean ceiling fan blades and lights in any hallways.
- Sweep debris off outdoor patios, porches, and walkways.
- Power wash outdoor siding or decking as needed.
Set up your new home right with this head-to-toe cleaning guide before move-in day! No unwanted dirt or mess to worry about as you unpack and settle in.
Don’t Forget Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Your move-out cleaning checklist should cover everything on your original move-in list. Check your lease for any specific cleaning requirements.
According to the home services site HomeAdvisor, move-out cleaning should include wiping down baseboards, cleaning walls and ceiling fans, steam cleaning carpets, scrubbing bathrooms, and more.
Make sure to clean overlooked areas like inside appliances, tops of cabinets, and behind the refrigerator. Use baking soda and vinegar to remove stuck-on grime and odors.
As home services and cleaning company Angi recommends, make sure to clean any areas outlined in your original lease agreement when moving out. Check your lease paperwork for any cleaning stipulations such as professional carpet cleaning.
Doing a thorough move-out clean demonstrates you took good care of the property while living there.
Final Thoughts
Tackling a whole-house deep clean solo can be an exhausting multi-day endeavor. For faster and more thorough cleaning, consider hiring a moving company for professional move-in cleaning services. Reputable cleaning companies have extensive experience transforming dirty apartments and homes into fresh, welcoming spaces. They provide all their own commercial-grade supplies and equipment too.
Look for a fully insured service that background checks employees. Be sure to confirm their deep cleaning process covers every room on your move-in checklist. Moving is stressful enough – leave the cleaning to the pros so you can focus on settling into life in your beautiful new home!
With some elbow grease and this handy move-in cleaning checklist, you’ll whip every room into a squeaky-clean shape in no time. Pretty soon you’ll be all unpacked in an organized, sparkling space to call your very own. Happy moving!
