A unit can look clean and still be anything but. Previous tenants, owners and even the last cleaning crew miss things, and once your furniture is in, a lot of surfaces become hard to reach. The best time to deep clean a new home is before you unpack.
Start with the places you will use first
Kitchen
- Wipe inside and outside all cabinets and drawers, and replace shelf liner if it is worn.
- Clean the oven, stovetop, range hood and microwave.
- Wash the inside of the refrigerator and freezer, including seals and drawers.
- Run an empty dishwasher cycle with a dishwasher cleaner and clean the filter.
- Scrub the sink and disinfect the counters.
Bathrooms
- Disinfect the toilet, tub, shower and every hard surface.
- Replace the shower curtain liner and wash the exhaust fan cover.
- Clean inside the vanity before you stock it.
Bedrooms and closets
- Wipe closet shelves, rods and floors before hanging clothes.
- Dust vents, ceiling fans and light fixtures.
- Wipe baseboards, door frames, switches and handles.
Do not forget the overlooked spots
- Inside window tracks and sills
- Behind and under the refrigerator and stove, where possible
- Inside the washer and dryer if they stay with the unit; check the lint trap and vent
- Smoke detectors (dust them) and thermostat covers
- Entry door, door knobs and the mailbox area
Floors, carpets and odors
Vacuum and mop everything after the surfaces above, so dust has nowhere left to fall. If the carpet has odors, stains or an unknown history, a professional hot-water extraction before you move furniture in is far easier than doing it later. Open windows and run fans for ventilation while you work.
Safety and quick fixes while the place is empty
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Check under sinks for leaks or moisture.
- Look for pest signs: droppings, chewed packaging, small entry points.
- Photograph anything damaged and send it to your landlord right away so it is on record.
DIY or hire a pro?
Moving is a lot already. A professional move-in clean means you unpack into a sanitized home on day one, and everything above is handled in one visit. As one customer put it, it was an immense relief not to have to think about cleaning before unpacking. If you go DIY, set aside a full day, and bring supplies before the movers arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to clean a brand-new or freshly renovated home?
Yes. Construction dust settles on every surface, and new homes often have drywall dust in vents, cabinets and window tracks. See our post-renovation cleaning guide.
Is a move-in clean different from a move-out clean?
The tasks overlap, but a move-in clean focuses on sanitizing surfaces you will touch daily and on spots to check before furniture goes in.
Ready for a spotless space?
Tell us about your space and we will get back to you the same day with a free quote.
