What Should I Clean First When Moving Into a New House?
Moving into a new home is an exciting fresh start, but before you settle in, it's important to give the entire house a thorough deep cleaning. With so much to clean, you may be wondering where to begin. Here's a guide on what to prioritize when cleaning your new home before moving in.
Start with the Bathroom
The bathroom is a great place to start your move-in cleaning. It's one of the most frequently used rooms and has many surfaces that collect germs and grime. Scrub the toilet, sink, shower/tub, and wipe down counters, mirrors, and cabinet fronts.
Don't forget easily overlooked areas like the baseboards, light fixtures, and exhaust fan. Having a clean, hygienic bathroom ready will be much appreciated on moving day.
Make the Kitchen Sparkle
The kitchen is the heart of the home and should be a priority when cleaning. Start by cleaning the inside and outside of appliances like the refrigerator, oven, microwave, and dishwasher.
Wipe down countertops, the sink, and backsplash. Clean cabinet doors and shelves and consider lining drawers and cabinets. Mop the floor last, working your way from the back of the room to the exit.
Freshen Up Bedrooms
You'll want your bedrooms clean and ready for your first night's sleep. Wipe down baseboards, windowsills, and any shelving.
Vacuum or sweep and mop floors, and consider shampooing carpets if needed. If you have ceiling fans, use an extendable duster to clean the blades. Don't forget to clean inside closets and wipe down doors and light switches.
Tackle the Living Areas
Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, window blinds and furniture surfaces in the living room, dining room and other living spaces.
Clean windows and mirrors. Vacuum upholstered furniture. Sweep and mop hard surface floors and vacuum carpets and rugs. Consider cleaning the fireplace if you have one.
Don't Forget the Details
Once you've cleaned the major rooms and surfaces, go back and hit the easily forgotten areas. These include:
Wiping down doors, doorknobs and light switches
Dusting tops of door frames, window frames and picture frames
Cleaning air vents, returns and filters
Vacuuming and damp mopping staircases
Sweeping the garage floor
Cleaning outdoor spaces like patios and decks
By focusing on the bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms and living areas first, then circling back for the small details, you can efficiently deep clean your home and have it move-in ready.
Cleaning before your belongings are moved in allows you to reach every corner and start fresh in your new space. With a clean home ready to go, you can focus on unpacking and settling in.