Moving into a new home? Packing and loading up all of your belongings is only half the battle. Before you settle in for good—i.e., unpack all of your clothes, take a shower in your new bathroom, or cook a meal with your new kitchen appliances—you’ll want to scrub the house from top to bottom. Sure, it’s partially because you want to start off on a clean slate, but it’s mostly because you have no idea what the previous occupant’s hygiene habits were like. Better to be safe than sorry!
So, with that in mind, we want to help make your move-in easier by providing this checklist of all the surfaces and objects you should cover in your first big cleaning. Take a look!
Kitchen
- All door handles, drawer pulls, and other high-touch objects
- Cabinets
- Drawers
- Countertops
- Backsplash
- Light fixtures
- Light switches
- Garbage disposal
- Sink
- Faucet
- Refrigerator (Make sure you get the door gasket and inside drawers.)
- Freezer
- Microwave (If your unit has a range vent, the outside vents if above the range)
- Range and oven (Use the self-clean function so you will have less scrubbing to do.)
- Dishwasher
Bathroom
- Toilet (Don’t forget the base and the space behind it.)
- Sink
- Faucet
- Mirror
- Bathtub or shower enclosure
- Medicine cabinet
Laundry
- Washing machine (To remove soap scum and mildew, use a combo of apple cider vinegar and baking soda.)
- Dryer (Remember to vacuum out t
- he lint compartment.)
- Shelves and/or cabinets
All Rooms
- Floors (Vacuum, sweep, and/or mop.)
- Tile grout (if applicable)
- Light switches
- Door knobs
- Ceiling fans (if applicable)
- Windows (including frames, sills, and curtain hardware)
- Air vents or radiators
- Stairs
- Closets
- Built-in shelving units
- Fireplace (if applicable)
- Ceilings (You’ll be surprised at how many cobwebs are up there!)
When you see all of these items written out like this, it feels like a lot. But don’t let it stress you out! Tackle one room at a time and break the cleaning down into small chunks. Maybe even recruit some close friends or family to help. You will get it all done in due time, and you’ll be so thankful you cleaned every nook and cranny while there was no furniture in the way.
Good luck!
