Move-In Cleaning Checklist (Before Unpacking)
Written by Shannon, Owner and Founder of Long Island MaidsThe best time to clean your new place? Before the moving truck arrives. Empty rooms are infinitely easier to clean than rooms full of furniture. Here's what to prioritize.
Why Clean Before Unpacking?
You might think the previous tenant (or a professional cleaner) already cleaned. Maybe they did. But according to the EPA's indoor air quality guidelines, here's the reality:
- You don't know who lived there before—or what they left behind
- Empty floors won't be empty again—once furniture is in, you'll never clean under it properly
- Cabinet interiors are exposed now—put your stuff on clean shelves
- High-touch surfaces need sanitizing—every handle, switch, and knob someone else touched
- You'll feel better starting fresh—it's your home now, make it yours
Top Priorities (Do These First)
- 1 All floors—vacuum carpets, mop hard floors. Once furniture is in, you'll only clean around it.
- 2 Closet interiors—shelves, rods, floors. You won't want to empty closets later to clean them.
- 3 Cabinet interiors—kitchen and bathroom. Your dishes and toiletries deserve clean shelves.
- 4 Refrigerator inside—even if it looks clean, sanitize it before your food goes in.
- 5 All high-touch surfaces—door handles, light switches, faucets, toilet handles.
Kitchen Checklist
Bathroom Checklist
- Toilet (sanitize completely)
- Shower/tub
- Shower door or curtain rod
- Sink and faucet
- Inside medicine cabinet
- Inside vanity cabinet
- Mirror
- Towel bars/hooks
- Toilet paper holder
- Light switches
- Exhaust fan
- Floor (entire surface)
Bedroom & Living Area Checklist
- Inside all closets
- Closet shelves and rods
- Closet floors
- All floors (vacuum/mop)
- Window sills
- Blinds (dust)
- Light switches
- Door handles
- HVAC vents (dust)
- Ceiling fan (if present)
- Baseboards
- Walls (spot clean any marks)
Sanitize High-Touch Surfaces
These are the surfaces strangers touched every day. Disinfect all of them:
- All door handles (interior and exterior)
- All light switches
- Cabinet and drawer pulls
- Faucet handles
- Toilet flush handle
- Appliance handles (fridge, oven, microwave, dishwasher)
- Thermostat
- Stair railings
- Garage door buttons
- Doorbell
Things Most People Forget
- Inside the oven: Previous tenants rarely clean this well
- Refrigerator drip pan: Pull out the fridge, clean behind and underneath
- Dishwasher filter: Remove and clean—it's probably gross
- Range hood filter: Soak in degreaser, it collects years of grease
- Bathroom exhaust fan: Remove cover, clean fan blades
- Window tracks: Dirt, bugs, and debris collect here
- Garage floor: Sweep and clean any oil stains
- Patio/balcony: Sweep and clean railings
What If It's Not Clean Enough?
If your new place wasn't cleaned properly by the previous tenant or landlord:
- Document everything: Photos with timestamps before you touch anything
- Contact landlord immediately: Report issues in writing (email)
- Request professional cleaning: Ask if they'll cover the cost
- Keep receipts: If you hire cleaners or buy supplies, save documentation
- Get it in writing: Note the condition on your move-in inspection form
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I clean my new apartment before moving in?
Yes, absolutely. Even if the previous tenant or a professional cleaner cleaned, you don't know who lived there before or what was left behind. Empty rooms are infinitely easier to clean than rooms full of furniture, and you'll never have better access to floors, closets, and cabinet interiors.
What should I clean first when moving into a new place?
Prioritize in this order: (1) All floors—once furniture is in, you'll only clean around it, (2) Inside all closets—shelves, rods, and floors, (3) Inside all cabinets—kitchen and bathroom, (4) Inside the refrigerator—before your food goes in, (5) All high-touch surfaces—door handles, light switches, faucets.
What high-touch surfaces should I sanitize in a new home?
Sanitize all door handles (interior and exterior), light switches, cabinet and drawer pulls, faucet handles, toilet flush handle, appliance handles (fridge, oven, microwave, dishwasher), thermostat, stair railings, garage door buttons, and doorbell.
How do I document the condition of my new apartment?
Take timestamped photos of every room BEFORE cleaning or moving anything in. Document any existing damage, stains, scratches, or issues. Include close-ups of problem areas. Email photos to yourself to create a dated record. This protects you when you eventually move out.
What if my new apartment wasn't cleaned properly?
Document everything with timestamped photos before touching anything. Contact your landlord immediately and report issues in writing (email). Request professional cleaning at their expense. Keep all receipts if you hire cleaners or buy supplies. Note the condition on your move-in inspection form.
Related Guides
Want to Start Fresh in a Spotless Home?
Our move-in cleaning service gets your new place truly clean before you unpack. We clean what the previous tenant didn't.
Serving: Syosset · Jericho · Woodbury · Plainview and 40+ more · View all areas