Moving is one of the most stressful things you can do. Whether you’re renting and need your security deposit back, or you’re selling your home and want to leave it spotless for the new owners, leaving your property clean is an important part of moving.
That’s why at Pro Housekeepers we’ve put together a guide to a complete house clean that can be used whether you’re moving in or out of a property. It will help you manage your time during this crucial transition period and give you a list of cleaning tasks to follow so you don’t forget anything. A thorough cleaning will ensure that you leave your old property in good condition, and a thorough cleaning before unpacking will help you settle comfortably into your new home.
Important: Elevate your living space with our comprehensive full house cleaning services in Collierville, TN. Our meticulous team leaves no corner untouched, ensuring a spotless and inviting home. Experience the difference of a professionally cleaned space—schedule our services for a refreshed, hygienic, and comfortable environment tailored to your needs.
Before You Start
The best way to deep clean your entire home depends on whether you’re moving in or out. If you’re moving, it’s easier to do the same task throughout the house before moving on to the next one.
Always work from top to bottom, starting from the point farthest from the front door and working toward it. Clean each part the same way, starting at the top and ending at the bottom. This way you won’t spread dust from the ceiling fan onto an already vacuumed carpet.
If you’re cleaning your new home after moving in, start with the refrigerator. It’s easy to clean when empty and you can then safely store perishables when you unpack the rest of your belongings. Plus, after an hour of cleaning, you’ll enjoy a refreshing drink while you take a break.
All Bedrooms
When your house is empty, every room becomes a blank canvas. Take the opportunity to leave it clean before unpacking your things or leaving for the last time.
Check-list
- Remove nails, pins and tacks from the walls.
- Dust-proof lighting fixtures and accessories, ceiling fans, HVAC vents, corners and ceilings
- Clean baseboards, door tops and frames, window sills and light switches.
- Wash walls and windows
- Clean curtain rods and/or wipe down blinds.
- Clean built-in lights and shelves.
- Deep clean the carpet or vacuum thoroughly
- Sweep and mop hardwood, tile, or laminate floors.
- Cleaning sliding door tracks
When leaving a property, you will need to pay particular attention to areas that are not cleaned regularly. These are the first places a homeowner or new homeowner will inspect! Take the time to look around each room and look for tall, flat surfaces that are not in your line of vision. Areas like the tops of doors or ceiling fans are notorious for accumulating dust.
Some cleaning tasks are especially wise when moving into a new home because they will make the property more efficient. Cleaning your HVAC vents and changing filters means you’ll get the most out of your heating and cooling system and may even save money on your bills.
Tip: Place an old pillowcase over the blades of a ceiling fan before dusting. This way you can remove dust from the case, minimizing dirt on the floor. Just throw the case away when you’re done.
Bathrooms
If there’s one room in your house that you really want to leave clean for new residents, or spotless before using it, it’s your bathroom. Although deep cleaning a bathroom may seem intimidating, our checklist makes it easier to get to work.
Check list
- Dust light fixtures, vents, corners and ceilings
- Clean baseboards, door tops and frames, window sills, and light switches.
- Clean faucets, door and cabinet handles and toilet paper holders.
- Wash walls, windows and mirrors.
- Clean curtain rods and/or wipe blinds.
- Clean built-in fixtures and shelves.
- Scrub the toilet, including under the seat and tank.
- Cleaning Grout, Seals and Shower Door Tracks
- Clean drains and pipes.
- Soak the shower head
- Clean and disinfect the floor.
- Leave a roll of toilet paper for new residents.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to make your bathroom shine. Common household items make excellent cleaners. Pour baking soda into the clogs and fill them with white vinegar to clean the drains. Cut citrus fruits like lemons in half, coat them generously with salt, and use them to scrub your faucets to get them really clean and fresh.
Fill a bag with white vinegar and tie it to the shower head to soak overnight, and use a mixture of two parts baking soda and one part hydrogen peroxide to refresh tile grout. Let the mixture sit on the grout for ten minutes and then wipe it off with a sponge and warm water.
Tip: Steam is a great cleaner and your shower can generate it for you. Spray bathroom surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner, turn on the shower to the hottest water possible, and close the door. After about twenty minutes, your bathroom will have been steam-cleaned and you will only have to clean the surfaces with a microfiber cloth.
Kitchen
Deep cleaning your kitchen before or after a move is always a good idea. This is the room where you prepare your food, so any dirt can have serious consequences for your health. When you move in, the kitchen should be the focal point of your new beginning.
Check List
- Dust light fixtures, vents, corners and ceilings
- Clean cabinets and counters, baseboards, door frames, window sills, and light switches.
- Clean the inside of the cabinets and install new shelf paper.
- Clean faucets, door handles and cabinets.
- Wash walls and windows
- Clean curtain rods and/or wipe blinds.
- Clean grouts and joints
- Clean drains, pipes and garbage cans.
- Dust Your Refrigerator Cooling Coils
- Disinfect your dishwasher
- Clean under, behind and inside major appliances, including the oven and refrigerator.
- Change the hood filter
- Clean and disinfect the floor.
- Check batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Even if you’re not a great cook, the kitchen is the heart of many family homes and an important space to keep clean. Before bringing food to your new home, consider where you will store it. Use liner paper inside cabinets to keep them stain-free and easier to clean in the future, and get the most out of your appliances by cleaning vents and coils to keep them running more efficiently.
It’s equally important to let your kitchen shine when you move in. Kitchens accumulate dirt and grease that can jeopardize your security deposit or make moving in an unpleasant experience for new homeowners. A deep clean before or after the move is also a good time to check the home’s safety features, such as batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Tip: Always sweep and vacuum before cleaning or washing. Dust sticks to wet surfaces, so remove as much of it as possible before getting anything wet.
At Pro Housekeepers, we know a thing or two about deep cleaning a home in preparation for a move or when you’ve just moved into a new home. Our move-in or move-out cleaning checklist should help you get it all done.
We understand that the added stress of cleaning can be too much to handle, along with all the other aspects of moving, including contracts, paperwork, packing all your belongings, and perhaps a change of job or school district, all within a tight schedule. That’s why our cleaning professionals are available to take care of everything for you. Pre-book your cleaning before or after your move and relax knowing it’s another thing you’ve already checked off your to-do list. We even offer same-day service, so if you need help when you need it, call Pro Housekeepers for all your cleaning needs before or after your move.
