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Schedule a Deep Clean Before Moving In

Complete checklist with climate-adjusted recommendations

Overview

Clean the house thoroughly before moving in — especially kitchen, bathrooms, and inside cabinets. An empty house is the easiest time to deep-clean every surface.

DIY FriendlyEasy~360 min

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Gather supplies and set a plan of attack

Stock up on all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, disinfectant, microfiber cloths, a mop, a vacuum, a scrub brush, rubber gloves, and trash bags. Plan to work from the top of the house down and from the back rooms toward the front door.

2

Deep-clean the kitchen

Wipe the inside of every cabinet and drawer with disinfectant. Clean inside the oven, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Degrease the range hood and filter. Scrub the countertops, backsplash, and sink. Pull out the refrigerator and stove to clean behind and beneath them.

3

Sanitize all bathrooms

Scrub the toilet bowl, tank, base, and behind the toilet. Clean the tub and shower walls with a mildew-removing cleaner. Wipe mirrors, light fixtures, and exhaust fan covers. Disinfect countertops, faucets, and cabinet interiors. Check and clean the medicine cabinet.

4

Clean all windows, blinds, and light fixtures

Wash every window inside and out if accessible. Remove blinds or shades and dust or wipe them down. Remove light fixture covers, wash them, and replace burnt-out bulbs. Dust ceiling fans and clean fan blades.

5

Address floors and baseboards throughout

Vacuum all carpeted areas and consider renting a carpet cleaner for a deep shampoo. Mop all hard floors with an appropriate cleaner — use wood floor cleaner on hardwood and tile cleaner on tile/stone. Wipe down all baseboards with a damp cloth.

6

Clean interior doors, closets, and storage areas

Wipe down all interior doors and door frames. Clean closet shelves and rods. Vacuum inside closets. Clean the inside of the pantry. Dust the tops of door frames and any built-in shelving.

7

Clean the laundry area and utility spaces

Run an empty washer cycle with vinegar or washing machine cleaner. Wipe down the dryer drum. Clean the lint trap housing with a long brush. Sweep and mop the laundry room floor. Wipe down the water heater exterior and utility sink.

8

Do a final walk-through

Walk through every room with fresh eyes. Check for missed spots — tops of cabinets, inside the garage, attic hatch, and any crawl space access points. Run the HVAC fan for 30 minutes to circulate fresh air through the duct system.

What You'll Need

Tools

  • - Vacuum cleaner with attachments
  • - Mop and bucket
  • - Scrub brushes (soft and stiff)
  • - Microfiber cloths
  • - Step ladder
  • - Rubber gloves
  • - Spray bottles

Materials

  • - All-purpose cleaner
  • - Glass cleaner
  • - Disinfectant spray or wipes
  • - Oven cleaner
  • - Toilet bowl cleaner
  • - Wood floor cleaner
  • - Baking soda and white vinegar
  • - Trash bags

Cost Estimates

DIY Cost

$50–$100 (cleaning supplies)

Professional Cost

$200–$500 (professional deep clean for an average-sized home)

Safety Tips

  • Ventilate rooms well when using strong cleaning chemicals — open windows and run exhaust fans.
  • Never mix bleach with ammonia-based cleaners — the combination produces toxic fumes.
  • Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands, especially when using oven cleaner or mildew remover.
  • Use a sturdy step ladder instead of standing on chairs or countertops to reach high areas.

When to Call a Professional

Hire a professional cleaning service if the home has been vacant for a long time and has heavy dust or mildew buildup, if you have limited time before move-in, or if the home needs carpet deep-cleaning or tile/grout restoration.

Pro Tip

Clean the empty house BEFORE your furniture arrives. You will never have easier access to every wall, corner, closet, and floor than when the house is completely empty.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Only cleaning visible surfaces and skipping the inside of cabinets, drawers, and closets.
  • Forgetting to clean behind and under appliances — the refrigerator and stove collect years of grime.
  • Not checking and cleaning the HVAC air filter, which blows dust through the whole house.
  • Skipping the garage, attic access, and basement — these areas often harbor dust and pests.
  • Using the wrong cleaner on a surface — always test in an inconspicuous area first.

This Task Appears On

New Homeowner Move-In Checklist

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Learn your filter size, how to change it, and when to schedule professional maintenance. Your HVAC system is the most expensive equipment in the house — treat it accordingly.

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