How to Clean a House Before Moving In

The best time to deep clean a home is when it is completely empty. Once your furniture and boxes arrive, cleaning behind appliances and reaching high corners becomes infinitely more difficult. A pre-move-in clean is about creating a hygienic blank slate.

The Top-Down Approach

Start by dry-dusting the ceilings, light fixtures, and ceiling fans. Wipe down all the walls and doors with a damp microfiber cloth to remove the previous owner's fingerprints and scuffs. Clean the inside of every closet and cabinet, lining the kitchen shelves if desired.

Sanitizing the Bathrooms

This is the most critical step for peace of mind. Replace toilet seats entirely. Use strong disinfectants on the bathtub, shower tiles, and sinks. Finally, have the carpets professionally steam cleaned to extract dust mites, pet dander, and odors left by previous occupants before your children play on them.