How to Clean Your House Before Moving: A Complete Guide

Moving to a new home is both exciting and overwhelming, but one crucial step that shouldn't be overlooked is thoroughly cleaning your current residence before you pack up and leave. Whether you're a renter hoping to get your security deposit back or a homeowner preparing to sell, a comprehensive pre-move cleaning can save you money and stress down the line.

Why Cleaning Before Moving Matters

When moving into a new place, it's important to remember that even if it appears clean, you can't be sure how the previous tenants actually maintained it. To ensure a safe and hygienic environment, disinfecting surfaces before unpacking your belongings is essential. This includes cabinets, countertops, and other areas where you will be storing your items.

A thorough cleaning not only helps you start fresh in your new space but also allows you to take stock of your belongings. It gives you the chance to decide what to keep and what to leave behind, ensuring you don’t bring unnecessary dirt and clutter into your new home.

For renters, a deep clean can also make a significant difference when it comes to getting your full security deposit back, as it may prevent you from incurring costly professional cleaning fees. Homeowners can enjoy the benefits of increased property value and quicker sales when potential buyers see a well-maintained, spotless home.

Start with Decluttering and Sorting

Before you even think about cleaning supplies, begin by decluttering each room. Moving is the perfect opportunity to purge items you no longer need, use, or love. Sort belongings into four categories: keep, donate, sell, and trash. This process not only reduces the amount you'll need to clean but also lightens your moving load significantly.

Consider hosting a garage sale or listing valuable items online to offset some of your moving expenses. When working with a local moving company, every item you eliminate means potential savings on moving costs, as most companies charge based on weight and volume.

Room-by-Room Cleaning Strategy

Kitchen Deep Clean

In the kitchen, it is important to start by removing any crumbs from cabinets and other surfaces. Then, spray the oven and stovetop with degreaser to give it time to react. Following that, start by dusting inside the cabinets and removing any loose debris. Once all the surfaces look clean, you need to start using itsGLO's three towel method:

• First Towel: A microfiber cloth soaked with dish soap.

• Second Towel: A wet cloth to remove the soap.

• Third Towel: A dry cloth to leave a streak-free finish on the cabinets.

Ensure you clean every surface, including the outside of cabinets. Always begin at the top and work your way down to avoid having to clean again. For instance, if you clean the stovetop first and then the cabinets above, the stovetop could get dirty again. Be mindful of this.

Next, move on to the stovetop. After applying a product like Easy Off or a Zep degreaser, use a paper towel to remove the grease without damaging your microfiber towels. Any remaining grease can be scraped off with a blade, available at any local hardware or dollar store. Once that's completed, use the towel method again. Expert tip: Use a Swiffer mop head for cleaning cabinet exteriors by placing a microfiber towel on it, allowing you to wipe larger surface areas efficiently.

Bathroom Sanitization

Bathrooms need special attention due to humidity-related buildup and soap scum. Remove all personal items first, then tackle soap scum on shower doors and walls using a mixture of white vinegar and dish soap. Clean grout lines with an old toothbrush and bleach-based cleaner, ensuring proper ventilation.

Don't overlook often-missed areas like behind the toilet, inside the medicine cabinet, and the exhaust fan cover. Replace any caulking that shows signs of mold or significant wear – this small investment can prevent future issues and shows care in maintenance.

Living Areas and Bedrooms

For living spaces and bedrooms, focus on areas that show wear from daily use. Clean all surfaces, including baseboards, window sills, and light fixtures. Vacuum or sweep thoroughly, paying attention to corners and under furniture where dust accumulates.

Address any scuff marks on walls with a magic eraser or appropriate wall cleaner. If you've hung pictures or artwork, fill nail holes with spackling paste and touch up with matching paint if necessary.

Windows and Natural Light

Clean windows can dramatically improve how clean and bright your home appears. However, window cleaning has its pitfalls – streaks and residue can make windows look worse than before you started. According to Good Housekeeping's expert advice on common window cleaning mistakes, using the right technique and tools is crucial for streak-free results.

Clean windows on a cloudy day to prevent the cleaning solution from drying too quickly, which causes streaking. Use a squeegee for best results, and don't forget to clean both sides of the glass as well as the window frames and sills.

Floors and Carpets

Different flooring types require specific approaches. For hardwood floors, use appropriate wood floor cleaners and avoid excessive moisture that can cause warping. Tile floors benefit from a thorough mopping with grout-specific attention, while laminate floors should be cleaned with products specifically designed for synthetic materials.

Carpeted areas should be professionally cleaned if possible, especially if you're hoping to recover a security deposit. If professional cleaning isn't in the budget, rent a carpet cleaner and use high-quality cleaning solutions. Allow plenty of drying time before final inspections or showings.

Don't Forget the Details

The difference between a good cleaning and an exceptional one lies in the details. Clean inside all cabinets and closets, including wiping down shelves and vacuum corners. Light switches, outlet covers, and door handles harbor germs and show fingerprints – these should be wiped down with disinfectant.

Replace any burned-out light bulbs and clean light fixtures and ceiling fans. These elevated areas are often overlooked but make a significant impact on the overall cleanliness impression.

Final Inspection and Touch-Ups

After completing your room-by-room cleaning, do a final walkthrough with fresh eyes. Look for any missed spots, streaks, or areas that need additional attention. This is also an excellent time to take photos documenting the condition you're leaving the property in, which can be helpful if any disputes arise later.

Planning Your Cleaning Timeline

Don't underestimate the time required for a thorough pre-move cleaning. Plan to spread the work over several days or weeks, depending on your home's size and condition. Start with less-used areas like guest rooms or storage spaces, then work your way to daily-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Consider your moving timeline when planning the cleaning schedule. You'll want most of the heavy cleaning completed before your moving day, but save light touch-ups and final details for after the movers have finished loading your belongings.

Professional Help vs. DIY

While many homeowners can handle pre-move cleaning themselves, certain situations may warrant professional help. If you're dealing with extensive deep cleaning needs, time constraints, or physical limitations, hiring professional cleaners might be worth the investment. The cost often pays for itself in saved time, energy, and potentially recovered security deposits.

Moving Forward

A thoroughly cleaned home not only ensures you leave on good terms with landlords or impress potential buyers but also provides peace of mind as you transition to your new space. Taking the time to clean properly demonstrates respect for the property and consideration for whoever comes next.

The effort you put into cleaning your old home also sets a positive tone for settling into your new one. You'll appreciate starting fresh in a clean environment, and the organizational skills you've practiced during this process will serve you well when unpacking and arranging your new space.

Remember, moving doesn't have to be overwhelming when broken down into manageable tasks. A clean, organized approach to leaving your old home behind paves the way for an exciting new chapter ahead.