Move-In Cleaning Checklist: Room by Room

The best time to clean a new home is before your boxes and furniture arrive. Use this room-by-room move-in checklist to make sure every cabinet, appliance, and corner is clean before you unpack.

Before You Start

• Clean before the movers arrive if you can. Empty rooms clean faster and more thoroughly.
• Work top to bottom in each room, so dust falls onto surfaces you haven't cleaned yet
• Start with the kitchen and bathrooms, since they take the longest
• Open windows or run the AC fan to help clear dust in a home that's been closed up

Kitchen

• Wipe inside and outside every cabinet and drawer
• Clean inside the refrigerator, freezer, oven, and microwave
• Degrease the stovetop, range hood, and backsplash
• Scrub and sanitize the sink, faucet, and counters
• Run the dishwasher empty on a hot cycle
• Sweep and mop, including under where the fridge and stove sit if you can move them

Bathrooms

• Scrub and disinfect the toilet, including the base and behind it
• Scrub the tub, shower walls, grout, and glass
• Clean inside the vanity, drawers, and medicine cabinet
• Clean mirrors, faucets, and fixtures
• Check for mold or mildew around the tub and shower. In Florida humidity, it's common. See our guide to bathroom mold and mildew.
• Mop the floor and wipe the baseboards

Bedrooms and Living Areas

• Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and vents
• Wipe closet shelves, rods, and doors
• Wipe baseboards, door frames, window sills, and light switches
• Clean interior windows and window tracks
• Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors

Spots Most People Forget

• Light switches, outlet covers, and door handles
• The top of the fridge, cabinets, and door frames
• AC vents and return grilles
• The washer and dryer, including the lint trap
• Inside the garbage disposal and under the sink

Want Us to Do It for You?

Our move-in clean covers everything on this list, and we bring all supplies. For a home under 1,000 square feet, move-in and move-out cleaning starts at $279. See the full move-in and move-out price table, or see every task on our move-in cleaning checklist.

That's a starting price, not a final quote. Your price depends on your home's size and condition. We ask a few quick questions and text you your exact price before we book, so there are no surprises on cleaning day.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I do a move-in clean?

Before your furniture and boxes arrive. Empty rooms are faster to clean, and you can reach every cabinet and floor.

Is a move-in clean different from a move-out clean?

The tasks are the same. The difference is timing: a move-in clean happens before you unpack, and a move-out clean happens after you've moved your things out.

How long does a move-in clean take?

It depends on the size and condition of the home. A move-in clean usually takes about two hours longer than a standard clean.

Do you bring supplies?

Yes. We bring all supplies and equipment.

Related Services and Guides

See also move-in and move-out cleaning, move-out vs. deep cleaning, our deep cleaning checklist, and our hurricane season checklist.

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