An empty house is the easiest it will ever be to clean. Every cabinet is reachable, every closet is open, and nothing is in the way of the floors. Once the furniture and boxes arrive, a lot of that access is gone.
Direct answer: clean top to bottom, starting with the places you will fill (cabinets, closets, drawers), then the kitchen and bathrooms, then windows and baseboards, and last the floors. Photograph what you find and what you leave. And decide first who is responsible for what, because that depends on your lease or your purchase terms.
Move-in cleaning is less clearly defined than move-out cleaning. Fewer guides cover it, and companies describe it in different ways. Treat the list below as a practical starting point, and confirm any company's scope in writing.
Who pays for move-in cleaning?
It depends. If you are renting, ask your landlord what condition the unit will be in on move-in, and what the lease says. If you are buying, the purchase terms and the seller's obligations matter. If you are not sure, ask in writing before you move anything in.
Before you start
- Get the keys and walk the home with your phone camera.
- Photograph any damage, stains, or issues that you find, and send them to the landlord or seller if the lease or the purchase terms ask for that.
- If the home was recently renovated, the dust is different from ordinary dirt. That is a separate specialty scope.
The checklist
Cabinets, drawers, closets, and pantry (first)
- Wipe inside all kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers
- Wipe closet shelves and rods
- Vacuum or wipe the floor of each closet
- Wipe the pantry shelves
Kitchen
- Inside the oven and the stovetop
- Inside the refrigerator and the freezer (and run it for a while before you stock it)
- Inside the microwave and the dishwasher
- Countertops, sink, and faucet
- Range hood and filter
Bathrooms
- Toilet, tub or shower, and sink
- Mirror and fixtures
- Grout and tile
- Exhaust fan cover
- Floors
Whole home
- Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and vents
- Wipe baseboards, doors, and frames
- Wipe switch plates and outlet covers
- Clean window sills and tracks, and interior glass
- Wipe the inside of the front door and the door handles
Floors (last)
- Vacuum carpet and hard floors, including the edges
- Mop hard floors
A note on sanitizing
Move-in cleaning is often described as "sanitized" or "disinfected." We do not make health claims about cleaning. If you want to use a disinfecting product, follow the product label for the surfaces and contact time it lists.
Take photos at arrival
Photograph each room before you move in: the walls, the floors, the inside of the appliances, and any damage. Photos are not a guarantee, but they are a record of the condition you started with. This is especially useful in a rental, and it matters when it is time to move out. (See our move-out checklist.)
When to hire help
If you want the home cleaned before you move in, a cleaner can do it while it is empty. Ask for the scope in writing, and use our deep cleaning checklist to confirm each item. If you are not sure whether you need a deep clean or a move-in clean, this comparison explains the differences.
Moving soon? Request a quote for an empty-home clean, and we will put the scope in writing before the visit.