The keys are finally yours, and the rooms are empty for the first and only time. Between picking up the keys and unloading the truck, the home is easier to clean than it will ever be again. Once the couch and the boxes come in, the floor under them and the backs of the shelves are out of reach for months.
A move in cleaning checklist helps you use that window well. We put this one together from the list our team works through on every move-in cleaning, so you can follow it yourself or hand the job to a crew.
Why Clean Before Moving In
Even a unit that looks tidy was lived in by a previous tenant or owner. A tenant cleaning to win back a security deposit tends to focus on what a landlord will inspect, so places like the inside of the dishwasher can be skipped. House cleaning before moving in lets you start with cabinets you trust for your dishes and floors you know are clean for kids and pets.
Starting while the home is still empty also saves effort. A bare shelf wipes clean in seconds, but a full one turns into a project.
Clean First, Then Disinfect
According to the CDC’s guide on when and how to clean and disinfect your home, cleaning with soap or detergent and scrubbing removes most germs and dirt on its own. Disinfecting comes after cleaning, because leftover dirt can keep a disinfectant from reaching the surface. So scrub first, then disinfect the places hands and food touch, like countertops, handles, light switches and the toilet.
Before You Start
Gather your cleaning products before the movers arrive, since they will be packed somewhere in a box once moving day starts. You will want an all-purpose cleaner, a kitchen degreaser, glass spray, microfiber cloths, a vacuum, a mop and a step stool. Open the windows for air while you work.
Work from the top of each room down. Dust from a ceiling fan or a high shelf falls, so floors always come last.
The Room-by-Room Move In Cleaning Checklist
Kitchen
Start in the kitchen, because it is where your food and dishes will live.
- Empty, wipe and dry every cabinet and drawer inside, then clean the fronts.
- Wipe the countertops and backsplash.
- Scrub the sink and faucet, and clear the drain.
- Clean the refrigerator and freezer inside and out, including the shelves and drawers.
- Degrease the oven inside and out, along with the racks.
- Wash the stove burners and grates.
- Wipe the microwave inside and out.
- Run a cleaning pass through the dishwasher, inside and out.
- Remove grease from the range hood and exhaust fan.
Bathrooms
- Scrub and disinfect the bathtub, shower and tile.
- Clean the toilet, including the toilet seat, the base and the floor around it.
- Wash the sink, faucet, countertop and vanity.
- Polish the mirrors and glass shower doors.
- Wipe the inside of the medicine cabinet and every drawer.
- Sweep and mop, reaching the corners behind the toilet.
Bedrooms and Living Areas
- Dust the ceiling fans, light fixtures and vent covers.
- Clean the closet shelves, rods and floor before any clothes go in.
- Wipe the window sills and any built-in shelving.
- Vacuum carpets and rugs, then mop hard floors.
Every Room
These small spots get touched constantly and missed often.
- Wipe light switches, outlet covers, handles and doorknobs.
- Clean the baseboards and door frames.
- Remove any cobwebs you can reach.
- Clean mirrors and other glass.
- Wipe out and clean the trash cans.
Deep Cleaning Before Moving In
Some homes need more than a standard pass. A unit that sat empty for months can need a deeper clean, and so can a home that had pets or a kitchen with built-up grease. In that case, deep cleaning before moving in covers the buildup that a regular visit leaves behind, like the inside of the oven and the tops of ceiling fans.
Moving out of one place the same week? Our move out cleaning checklist covers the home you are handing back.
Should You Hire Professional Cleaning Before Moving In?
Doing it yourself works if you have a free day before the truck arrives. Hiring a professional makes more sense when the keys and the moving date land close together. Professional cleaning before moving in lets the cleaning and the move happen back to back, with the home ready when your things arrive.
Our move-in and move-out cleaning cleans the kitchen, bathrooms and every room of houses and apartments across San Francisco and the Bay Area. Each crew brings the vacuums, mops and products the job needs. You can see the price and book online, or request a quote for a larger home.
Move In Cleaning FAQs
How long does a move-in cleaning take?
Timing depends on the size of the home and how much buildup there is. A small apartment in good shape goes much faster than a large house where the kitchen needs degreasing.
What should I clean first when moving into a new home?
Clean the kitchen first, so your dishes and food can go straight into clean cabinets. After that, do the bathrooms, then the bedrooms and living areas, and finish with the floors.
Is cleaning before moving in worth it?
Yes, because an empty home is the easiest it will ever be to clean. Once furniture is in place, the floors under it and the backs of cabinets stay hidden until your next move. A move-in clean gives you a fresh start from the first night.