Move-in Cleaning Checklist

The easiest time you'll ever have to deep clean your entire house is right before you move in. Without any of your belonging to tidy or move out of the way, you can begin your life in your new home with a sparkling clean slate by setting aside some time for a cleaning day. There are many tasks that will become exponentially more time consuming or annoying after move in, like cleaning behind appliances, wiping out drawers, or shampooing carpets, so do yourself a favor and tackle them before the moving truck arrives.

To take one item off your mental load, we have put together a move-in cleaning checklist to help. Your future self will thank you!

Supplies

First things first: supplies. Because you will ideally be conducting this move-in cleaning before you have moved in, you will need to pack up cleaning supplies and bring them with you. This is what you will need:

• Vacuum
• Microfiber cleaning cloths
• Disinfectant
• All purpose cleaner
• Broom
• Mop
• Bucket
• Sponges
• Window cleaner
• Paper towels
• Optional: steam mop, carpet cleaner, laundry detergent

Before You Begin

Before you start cleaning, walk through your new home and open every drawer, cabinet, and closet to make sure the entire home is empty. If the previous owners left anything behind, quickly decide if it should be tossed, donated, or kept. If you happen to find any items that should be kept, store them in the garage if possible.

Having a totally empty house will allow you to clean more quickly, minimizing distraction and items to clean behind or beneath.

Kitchen

• Disinfect drawer pulls, door knobs, light switches, and other frequently touched surfaces
• Clean range and oven
• Wipe down counters and backsplashes
• Vacuum dust from above cabinets
• Vacuum and/or wipe inside of cabinets, shelves, and drawers
• Scrub sinks
• Clean garbage disposal
• Vacuum behind all movable appliances
• Clean inside and outside of microwave
• Remove all drawers and shelves from the refrigerator to be washed, and wipe down the inside walls and any hardware or shelves that cannot be removed
• Tackle mineral deposits and hard water stains (try using this method)

Bathrooms

• Apply grout and tile cleaner to showers and/or tubs
• Clean shower track (check out this tutorial to find out how to make it look good as new!)
• Clean inside and outside of toilets
• Wipe down counters and sinks
• Polish mirrors
• Polish all hardware
• Disinfect drawer pulls, door knobs, light switches, and other frequently touched surfaces
• Dust light fixtures
• Clean inside of drawers and cabinets, line with contact paper

Windows

• Remove window coverings and clean them (wash curtains or wipe down blinds)
• Vacuum window tracks
• Use microfiber clothes to wipe down window sills and frames
• Use window cleaner and paper towels to clean windows

Floors

• Now is a great time to rent a carpet cleaner! It will never be easier to clean your carpets than when the house is empty.
• Vacuum the entire house, using attachments for corners, closets, and other hard to reach areas.
• If you have a steam mop, now is a great time to use if to disinfect all hard floors. If not, a regular mop is just fine.

Miscellaneous

• Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans
• Sweep fireplace
• Remove vents and wipe them down
• Clean out dryer vent
• Wash walls and baseboards, removing scuff marks
• Disinfect high touch surfaces like light switches, window covering pulls, and doors
• Sweep and spray patio, deck, and walkway

If you don't yet have the home you'll use this move-in cleaning checklist on, I am here to help! Contact me to find out how we can help you find your ideal property on Marco Island

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