How to Clean a House Before Moving in the Smartest First

Before You Unpack, Let’s Talk About Cleaning

Moving into a new home is exciting. New space, fresh start, new memories ahead. But before the couch gets placed or the fridge gets stocked, there’s one step that often gets overlooked: cleaning the house before you move in.

Even if your new place looks “pretty clean,” it’s always smart to start fresh with a deep clean of your own (or even better, one done by pros 👋). Because behind that sparkle? There might be dust, bacteria, or grime left behind by previous occupants, contractors—or just time.

At The CoBuilders, we help homeowners, renters, and real estate agents get homes truly move-in ready with our detailed pre-move cleaning services. Here’s everything you need to know before turning the key and settling in.

What Should You Clean Before Moving Into a New House?

Before moving in, clean the home while it is empty so you can reach areas that furniture and boxes will later block. Focus on:

Kitchen cabinets, countertops, appliances, sink, and floors
Bathrooms, including toilets, showers, tubs, vanities, and floors
Bedrooms and living areas, including baseboards, doors, closets, and floors
Windows, windowsills, vents, ceiling fans, and light fixtures
High-touch surfaces such as handles, switches, faucets, and railings
Areas behind and underneath appliances
HVAC vents and accessible filters
Garage, patio, porch, and other included spaces

If the home has been vacant for a long time, has visible buildup, or needs a quick clean before your move, professional move-in cleaning can get the space ready before your belongings arrive.

Why Clean a House Before Moving In?

You’d be surprised what a fresh coat of paint and an empty room can hide. Here's why a proper pre-move clean is more than just a “nice to have”:

✅ Start Fresh—Literally

No mystery crumbs in drawers, no dust in the vents, no question marks about what’s been sanitized.

✅ Better Health & Air Quality

Dust, pet dander, mold spores, and bacteria can linger in carpets, vents, and behind appliances. A deep clean means better breathing from day one.

✅ Easier to Clean When Empty

Before furniture, boxes, and rugs are in place, cleaners can access every surface—from the tops of cabinets to the back of the fridge.

✅ Peace of Mind

Moving is stressful. Walking into a spotless home? That’s instant calm.

What to Clean in a House Before Moving In

Here’s a helpful checklist (or the to-do list we follow at The CoBuilders) to ensure every room is properly cleaned before you get settled.

🧼 Kitchen

Wipe down and sanitize all countertops and backsplash
Clean inside cabinets, drawers, and pantry
Scrub the sink and polish faucets
Clean inside and outside of appliances (fridge, oven, microwave, dishwasher)
Degrease stovetop and oven
Sanitize floors

🛁 Bathrooms

Disinfect toilet, tub, and shower
Wipe down mirrors, counters, and sinks
Clean inside vanities and drawers
Sanitize all high-touch areas (handles, switches, faucets)
Mop and disinfect floors

🧹 Living Spaces & Bedrooms

Dust baseboards, vents, light fixtures, and ceiling fans
Clean windows and windowsills
Wipe down doors, walls, and closet interiors
Vacuum carpets and clean hard floors

💡 Don’t Forget:

HVAC vents and filters
Behind appliances
Garage, porch, or patio areas
Inside washer and dryer (if included)

What Order Should You Clean a House Before Moving In?

For an efficient move-in clean, work from top to bottom and from dry cleaning tasks to wet cleaning tasks.

Declutter and remove leftover items from the previous occupants.
Dust high areas first, including ceiling fans, light fixtures, vents, and tops of cabinets.
Clean walls, doors, windows, and baseboards.
Clean cabinets, closets, and storage areas before filling them.
Deep clean the kitchen and appliances.
Clean and disinfect the bathrooms.
Vacuum carpets and upholstery where applicable.
Mop hard floors last so they remain clean before furniture arrives.
Check high-touch areas such as handles, switches, faucets, and railings.
Do a final walkthrough before the movers bring everything inside.

Cleaning in this order helps prevent dust and debris from settling on surfaces you've already cleaned.

DIY or Hire a Professional Cleaning Team?

👍 DIY Cleaning Is Great If...

You have the time, energy, and right tools
The home was already lightly cleaned
You’re comfortable tackling harder-to-reach areas

✅ Hire Pros If...

The home hasn’t been lived in for a while
You’re moving on a tight schedule
You want peace of mind that everything has been cleaned
You’d rather not clean a stranger’s toilet on move-in day 😅

The CoBuilders offers detailed move-in cleaning tailored to your home’s condition and size, using eco-friendly, non-toxic products safe for kids, pets, and sensitive surfaces.

How Much Does Pre-Move-In Cleaning Cost?

Here’s a ballpark idea of pricing for move-in cleaning services:

We offer flat-rate, transparent pricing, and optional add-ons like carpet shampooing, window cleaning, or garage clean-outs.

Tips Before You Move In

✔ Schedule cleaning a day or two before your movers arrive

✔ Turn on utilities so we can clean with light, water, and power

✔ Do a walkthrough to identify areas that need extra attention

✔ Let us know if you're sensitive to scents or specific products—we’ll accommodate!

Why Trust The CoBuilders for Move-In Cleaning?

✔ Fully trained, insured, and background-checked professionals

✔ Customized cleaning plans for your home and timeline

✔ Eco-friendly, non-toxic products

✔ Flexible scheduling—including last-minute requests

✔ Satisfaction guaranteed

When Should You Clean a House Before Moving In?

The ideal time to clean a house before moving in is after the previous occupants have moved out and before your furniture and boxes arrive. Cleaning during this window gives you easier access to floors, cabinets, closets, appliances, walls, and other areas that become harder to reach once the home is furnished.

If possible, schedule the cleaning one or two days before moving day so you have time to inspect the property and address any areas that need additional attention.

Final Word: A Clean Start Begins with a Clean Home

Before you hang the first picture or unload your boxes, give your home the fresh start it deserves. With The CoBuilders, we make moving in cleaner, safer, and a whole lot easier.

📍 Available nationwide

📞 Fast quotes, easy online booking

🧼 Detailed deep cleaning tailored to you

👉 Book your move-in cleaning today with The CoBuilders

Start your next chapter with clean air, fresh floors, and zero to-do lists.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning a House Before Moving In

1. What should I clean first when moving into a new house?

Start with the areas that are easiest to clean while the home is empty. Dust high surfaces first, then clean cabinets, closets, appliances, bathrooms, windows, doors, baseboards, and floors. Finish with vacuuming and mopping so the floors stay clean before your furniture arrives.

2. Is it necessary to deep clean a house before moving in?

A deep clean isn't always mandatory, but it can be worthwhile even when a home looks clean. Cleaning before moving in allows you to reach areas that will be difficult to access later, such as inside cabinets, behind appliances, baseboards, closets, and other less-visible surfaces.

3. How long does it take to clean a house before moving in?

The time depends on the home's size, number of rooms and bathrooms, condition, and the level of cleaning required. A small, well-maintained home may take several hours, while a larger or heavily soiled property can require considerably more time.

4. Should I clean before or after moving my furniture in?

Whenever possible, clean before moving your furniture and boxes inside. An empty home allows you to clean floors, corners, closets, cabinets, and other surfaces without having to move belongings around.

5. What is included in a professional move-in cleaning service?

A professional move-in cleaning commonly includes cleaning kitchens, bathrooms, floors, cabinets, doors, baseboards, and other accessible surfaces. The exact services vary by company, so it's important to confirm whether appliances, windows, carpets, garages, and other specialty areas are included or offered as add-ons.

6. Does The CoBuilders offer professional move-in cleaning?

Yes. The CoBuilders offers professional move-in cleaning services for homeowners, renters, and real estate professionals who want a home thoroughly cleaned before moving in. The service can be tailored to the property's size, condition, and specific cleaning requirements.