The Ultimate Moving House Cleaning Checklist

If moving house is among the most stressful experiences people go through in life and cleaning house is among the most loathsome experiences people face on a daily basis, then cleaning for moving must be a truly nightmarish experience. And indeed, the very idea of scrubbing floors and washing windows after long weeks of laborious moving preparations and exhausting moving tasks is enough to give you nightmares.

Yet, you need to clean not one but two properties at the very climax of your relocation endeavor – move-out/move-in day:

1) You will want to leave your old home in top-notch condition in order to be able to get your security deposit back or to make your property more desirable for potential buyers;

2) You will want your new home to be spotless when moving in.

So, no matter how tired and how impatient to close the relocation chapter of your life you may be, you need to take the time and effort to clean your old property before moving out and your new one before moving in.

Luckily, the task may not be as difficult as it seems at first – especially if you follow our simple, yet highly efficient cleaning tips for moving house.

Moving Out Cleaning Tips

To make cleaning easier and more effective, you’re recommended to:

1) Prepare and clean the items you’re moving to your new home ahead of time

You will probably want to give your household items a good cleaning after the move, but this doesn’t make cleaning them before the move redundant – you don’t want to take all the accumulated dust and dirt, stains and grime, bacteria and germs to your new home, do you? Besides, wiping your items clean before the move will make your job much easier afterward, when unpacking your goods and arranging your new place.

So, make sure everything you pack for moving is clean and dry – not only smaller items that will be boxed up, but also furniture pieces, kitchen appliances, and other larger household items that will be wrapped in moving blankets and plastic wrap.

2) Get appropriate moving cleaning supplies and keep them at hand

There are certain cleaning supplies you can’t do without when preparing your home for moving – disinfecting cleaners, glass cleaners, baking soda, white vinegar, cleaning cloths, dusting cloths, plastic or nylon-bristled soft scrubbers, different kinds of brushes, furniture polish, fabric protectors, a mop, a vacuum cleaner, a broom and a dustpan, a bucket, a step stool, rubber gloves, etc.

Make sure these items don’t get accidentally loaded on the moving truck with the rest of your possessions.

3) Wait until your possessions have been loaded onto the moving truck to give your old home a final, thorough cleaning

If you start cleaning while your packed possessions are still scattered all around the place, your task will turn out to be much more difficult and time-consuming than necessary – all those moving boxes and furniture pieces will be in your way and you won’t be able to clean the premises quickly and efficiently enough.

4) Always start cleaning from top to bottom and back to front

Otherwise, you may soil an already cleaned surface and have to wipe it again.

5) Complete “dry” cleaning tasks first

Naturally, dry cleaning tasks such as dusting, vacuuming and sweeping should be completed first. You just can’t efficiently wash, mop, and/or wipe surfaces with a damp cloth when there is still dust or dirt on them.

6) Clean task-by-task, not room-by-room

This method is much faster and considerably more efficient – when you have equipped yourself with a furniture polish and a soft cloth, for example, it makes sense to take care of all the furniture pieces in the property, not just the ones in your bedroom, right?

General Move Out Cleaning Requirements

The best way to ensure the impeccable cleanliness of your old home before leaving it for good is to follow a detailed moving out cleaning checklist.

However, before you can deal with the specific cleaning requirements of the different rooms in your house, you need to take care of some general cleaning tasks:

• Remove dust and cobwebs. Look into every nook and cranny of your old property and remove all the cobwebs you can find. Dust all the surfaces in the home and vacuum the upholstery and the drapes to make sure they’re free of dirt and dust;
• Touch up the walls. Remove any nails, hooks, and screws you have put on the walls and conceal the holes (as well as all other visible marks, dents, scratches, etc.). Make sure there are no stains or smudges anywhere on the surfaces and wipe down walls, baseboards, doors, and doorknobs with a wet washcloth to freshen them up (unless the walls are covered with non-water-resistant wallpaper, of course – in this case, just dust them carefully). Vacuum or wash all wall and ceiling vents;  
• Wash the windows. Use a quality glass cleaner to wash all the windows, mirrors, glass doors, and other glass surfaces in your old home. Don’t forget to clean the blinds and the window sills as well;
• Clean the floors. Vacuum the carpeting and try to remove any stains you find with a suitable cleaning product (consider using professional carpet cleaning services to take care of particularly stubborn stains). Sweep tile, vinyl, and/or hardwood floors and mop them clean (using a steam mop will yield excellent results with minimum effort) only after your possessions have been taken out of the house;
• Take care of the light fixtures. Dust ceiling fans, wash lampshades, and replace burned out light bulbs to make sure the light fixtures in your old home are in excellent condition. Don’t forget to dust and wipe clean the light switches and electrical outlets throughout the house as well;
• Clean fireplaces of ashes and debris;
• Empty wastebaskets and take all the trash out of your home.

Move Out Cleaning Checklist

Now that you know the basics for cleaning your home before a move, you may be interested in some more detailed tips and tricks that will help you finish the laborious tasks in a quick, organized, and efficient manner.

So, how to clean your house fast and easy? All you need to do is follow some essential move out cleaning instructions:

Kitchen

Cleaning the kitchen will be your most difficult cleaning task when moving out of your old home:

1. Empty all cabinets and drawers and wipe them clean with a soft sponge and a mild cleaner (use baking soda and water for grease stains). Don’t forget to remove the liners and replace them with new ones when the surfaces dry fully. Clean countertops with warm, soapy water and disinfect them to make sure you have successfully removed any stains, residues, mold, and other bacteria or grime;
2. Use a specialized glass cleaner to make all the glass elements in the kitchen (windows, glass doors, glass cases, glass tabletops, etc.) shine;
3. Scrub the sink and faucets with an appropriate powdered cleaning product or use chlorine-free bleach to make them look like new (put some bleach into a spray bottle, add water, spray all over the sink, let it soak for a while, then rinse thoroughly). Drop slices of lemon, some salt and/or ice cubes in the garbage disposal to get rid of any accumulated grime and unpleasant odors;
4. If you’re leaving any appliances behind, make sure they’re empty and spotless. Move them away from the walls and clean the areas behind them, as well as the floor where they stood.

Here are some tips on how to clean different kinds of appliances when moving out:

Refrigerator

Empty and defrost the fridge, remove the drawers and shelves (clean them as appropriate), and wipe the appliance inside and out with soapy water. When the refrigerator is fully dry, replace the drawers and shelves and put a container with baking soda inside to absorb any possible bad odors.

If the electric supply to your old home won’t be turned off when you move out, leave the fridge on low setting. Otherwise, leave the door open to prevent mold.

Stove

• Remove the grills, oven racks, and drip pans from the stove and scrub them clean (it’s a good idea to soak them in soapy water while you’re cleaning the rest of the stove);
• Use steel wool to scrub the oven (you will need a heavy-duty oven cleaner) and pay special attention to the oven glass door;
• Be careful to remove all the grease and grime from the entire stove surface (including the control panel, hood and exhaust fan), as well as from the areas around and behind the stove;
• Replace the exhaust fan filter if necessary.

Do not forget to wear thick gloves and ensure good ventilation while cleaning the oven as degreasing agents can be harmful to the skin and the respiratory system.

Dishwasher

Sprinkle some baking soda on a damp sponge and wipe down all the surfaces (pay special attention to the filter, the rubbers, the inside of the door and the door edges).

Consider adding a small cup of bleach to a cycle to kill any bacteria in the machine and leave it fresh and spotless.

Microwave

Put a bowl of water with some lemon juice in the microwave and turn the appliance on high for several minutes. Let cool and wipe the inside clean (including the underside filter) with a sponge or a microfiber cloth.

Clean the outside of the microwave with a damp cloth.

And what about the appliances you’re going to take with you? You can find some useful information on how to pack them for moving here.

Finish the cleaning process by sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor.

RELATED: How to pack a kitchen for moving

Bathrooms

• Tiles – Scrub the tiles and grout with an appropriate cleaner (one that contains bleach) and rinse well, so that all the tiled surfaces in your bathroom start shining;
• Tub and shower – Clean the tub, tub fixtures, shower rod, shower head, and shower enclosure with extra care to get rid of soap scum and possible mold growth (you may need to wash or replace the shower curtain). Use an adequate disinfectant product and rinse the surfaces well. Consider applying a paste of baking soda and vinegar to any glass surfaces in the bathroom – let it soak for an hour, then remove it with a damp cloth to make the glass sparkle;
• Sinks – Scour the sink and pay special attention to the faucets, handles, and chromed surfaces (you may need to use an old toothbrush to get mold and stains out of small nooks and crannies that are difficult to reach). Wipe down all towel racks, light fixtures, soap dishes and toothbrush holders;
• Countertops, vanities, and medicine cabinets – Remove all the items from bathroom cabinets, drawers, and shelves, and use a wet sponge to clean them inside and out (including the doors). Clean the mirrors and wipe down the counters;
• Toilet – Sanitize the toilet bowl, tank, and seat. Wipe the toilet roll holder;
• Vents – Dust and wash all the vents found on the bathroom walls and ceiling.Take down and clean the exhaust fans;
• Floor – Scrub and mop the bathroom floor before you move out of the house.

SEE ALSO: How to pack a bathroom for moving

Bedrooms and Living Rooms

• Clean windowsills, window frames, casings, blinds, and glass panels;
• Clean sliding doors and fly screens inside and out;
• Wash or dry-clean curtains;
• Wipe down air conditioners and vents;
• Clean the fireplace and replace the furnace filter (if applicable);
• Empty wardrobes, closets, and drawers and wipe all surfaces clean (shelves, rods, tracks, casing, both sides of doors);
• Clean furniture – Polish wood surfaces and steam clean the upholstery. Apply a fabric/leather protector, as appropriate;
• Wash area rugs and clean the floors.

RELATED USEFUL READS: How to pack up a bedroom

Outside Areas

(Not applicable if you’re wondering how to clean an apartment before moving out.)

• Clean out storage areas and sweep garage/shed floors;
• Remove all your possessions from the yard area, including anything stuck in the round or hanging from the trees, any tools and equipment, toys and pet items, outside footwear, etc.;
• Remove dust and cobwebs from walls, window sills, and eaves;
• Make sure the gutters are free from debris;
• Ensure all outdoor lighting is clean and in working order;
• Clear out the letter box and compost bin;
• Sweep patios, verandas, concrete or paved driveways, and stairs;
• Remove all debris and rubbish from the garden, mow the lawn, and sweep garden paths.

SEE ALSO: How to move a garden

Good to remember:

1. The move out cleaning list for tenants may contain some additional cleaning requirements, depending on the specific conditions in their lease contracts.
2. It’s a good idea to take photos of your cleaned house or apartment and keep them as proof of the excellent condition you’re leaving the place in.

RELATED: Renter’s moving out checklist

Move In Cleaning Checklist

Our moving house cleaning checklist won’t be complete without some advice on how to clean your new home as well. After all, you will need a clean and fresh house where to start your life afresh after the move, right?

So, how to clean your house before you move in? You can use the same cleaning tips as when moving out as long as you take some move-in cleaning specifics into account:

Deep Clean Your New Home Before Your Items Arrive

There will be no better time to clean your new home than before moving in – when it’s still void of household items and personal possessions. Once the rooms are filled with boxes and furniture, cleaning will become much more difficult, slower, and less efficient.

So, you’re strongly advised not to miss the opportunity to deep clean your new house or apartment while it is still completely (or mostly) empty. If possible, get to your new place before the moving truck arrives and get down to work:

• Start with the bathroom as it is the room you’re going to need the most immediately after arriving in your new home. The previous residents should have sanitized the bathroom before moving out, but it’s still recommendable to give it a good cleaning in order to ensure your peace of mind (the bathroom is one of the most germ-filled places in the house):
  • Scrub all the surfaces and bathroom fixtures with appropriate disinfecting products and pay special attention to the places that the previous occupants of the home may have missed (such as behind the toilet, inside of the medicine cabinet, in the shower recess, etc.);
  • Consider replacing some inexpensive and easy-to-install features, like the toilet seat and cover, the shower curtains, the sink handles, and so on – this will considerably freshen the bathroom and make it feel yours.
• Clean the bedroom next as you will want to set up your bed and get a good rest as soon as possible:
  • Wipe down the walls and wash the windows (if necessary);
  • Check if the light fixtures are free of dirt and dust;
  • Disinfect doorknobs as they are touched frequently and accumulate excessive grime and germs;
  • Dust the furniture (i.e. closet) and the shelving;
  • Have the carpets in your new home professionally cleaned, unless you have proof that the previous residents already did so.
• Move on to the kitchen and get it ready to become the epicenter of your family life as soon as you move into the house – after all, there is nothing better than home-made food to replenish your energy after the move and to allow you to spend some fun time together with your loved ones while enjoying the meal. So, give the kitchen a good cleaning:
  • Pull any appliances away from the walls and thoroughly clean the areas under and behind them;
  • Clean the appliances inside and out (pay extra attention to the oven, stovetop, hood and filter);
  • Disinfect all surfaces and scrub the sink, faucets, and countertops;
  • Wipe kitchen cabinets and drawers.

Follow the move-out cleaning guide above to take care of the rest of the home and make it spotless and shiny before your items arrive.

Clean As You Unpack

Some dirt and dust will be inevitably brought inside when your boxes and furniture are unloaded and taken into the home.

Therefore, it is essential that you clean the mess immediately after an unpacking task, however small it may be – just take out the trash and vacuum to make sure no dirt will accumulate into your newly-cleaned home.

Dispose of the packing materials in a suitable way.

Dust and run the vacuum all over the house once again when you finish unpacking.

Now, your new house cleaning checklist is complete – at last, you can relax and rejoice at your successful relocation experience.

Consider Professional Cleaning Services

Move out and move in cleaning can be extremely exhausting when you’re so overwhelmed with the arduous moving process. It requires plenty of time and effort and adds to the moving stress. Therefore, you may want to consider using professional moving out (moving in) cleaning services – the experienced professionals will do the job for you in a quick and efficient manner and will save you a lot of time and hard work.

In certain circumstances hiring professional moving-out cleaners (or moving-in cleaners) may be your only viable option – you may not have the time to clean your old house by yourself, you may not be able to arrive in your new property before your items, you may not have the necessary cleaning supplies (you won’t take your vacuum cleaner on the plane with you, so that you can clean your new home upon arrival, will you?), you may be too exhausted to deal with the laborious cleaning tasks, etc.

If so, just get a move out/move in cleaning quote and see if the price and conditions offered by some reputable cleaning companies will work for you. In most cases, the quality professional assistance will be worth the cost.

Can you think of any other moving cleaning tricks that might come handy when moving house? Please, share your advice in the comments below!