How to Clean Your Home Before Moving In?

Moving house is an exciting milestone, though it can be pretty intimidating. According to the United States Census Bureau, 28.2 million people moved homes in 2022 for a variety of reasons, such as the desire to live in larger spaces, own their own property, or because of new professional opportunities. While packing up your belongings and transporting them to a different house is a massive undertaking, it’s also crucial to make sure that your new dwelling is well cleaned before you settle in there.

Deep cleaning a new home gets rid of dirt, bacteria, and allergens left by previous occupants or construction workers. Having a plan for doing this will help you figure out where to start, which parts of the house to prioritize, and most importantly, what tools you need to get the job done. This way, you can decide whether you have to pick up cleaning appliances like a robot vacuum cleaner — which can sweep and mop your new home — so that you can focus on other tasks that require your attention.

Why Pre-Move Deep Cleaning Matters and How to Do It Efficiently?

Before relocating to another residence, deep cleaning is essential to eliminate any traces of bacteria, dust mites, and other contaminants left behind by the former inhabitants. A thorough cleaning not only removes these germs and allergens, but also ensures a fresh start before you start adding personal touches in your new space. A pre-move clean will also improve indoor air quality by ridding the house of dust, mold, and pollutants that can set off allergies and respiratory issues.

When faced with the daunting prospect of deep-cleaning an entire house, it’s better to work smart than to work hard. Figure out the best ways to disinfect and sanitize your new residence by being methodical. Make a checklist of all the equipment you’ll need and to-do lists for each room to help you stay organized. Once you start working on the house, use the top-to-bottom technique to clear higher surfaces first to prevent dust and debris from falling onto already-cleaned areas. Delegate tasks to family members, friends, or roommates to speed things up. Consider picking up a smart cleaning device like a robot vacuum with a mop to handle routine tasks like floor-cleaning so you can tackle more time-consuming chores.

What Cleaning Supplies Do You Need For Move-In Cleaning?

A thorough move-in cleaning requires the right tools and products. Must-have supplies include microfiber cloths, scrub brushes, a vacuum cleaner, mop, gloves, and masks for safe and effective cleaning. Don’t forget trash bags and cans to collect and dispose of dust, debris, and anything else you don’t want. While vacuum cleaners make floor cleaning faster than manual sweeping, robot vacuum cleaners can further streamline the process by clearing away dust and debris automatically. Stock up on a variety of cleaning solutions that can tackle a wide range of surfaces, like disinfectants, all-purpose cleaner, baking soda, vinegar, and glass cleaner — some of which can be used in robot vacuums.

How to Deep Clean Your Home Before Moving In?

To deep clean your home before moving in, make sanitizing the kitchen and bathrooms your first priority — scrub sinks, tubs, and toilets, disinfect appliances like the fridge and oven, and wipe down cabinets and countertops. Vacuum carpets, mop hard floors, and dust all surfaces, including windows, baseboards, and vents. Don’t forget to clean inside closets and cabinets and disinfect areas that people frequently touch like doorknobs, light switches, and handles.

Deep Clean the Kitchen

Start by giving the cabinets, countertops, and stove a good scrub to remove stains, leftover grease, and dust. Use a gentle cleaner for wood or laminate surfaces and a degreaser for stubborn residue. Pay special attention to handles and corners, which is where dirt typically accumulates. Next, sanitize all the kitchen appliances to eradicate bacteria and odors. Clean the fridge inside and out, wiping down shelves and drawers with a mixture of warm water and vinegar. Scour the oven to remove grease buildup, and wipe down the microwave, paying special attention to food splatters inside.

The sink and garbage disposal also need thorough cleaning to prevent bacteria buildup and foul smells. Use baking soda and dish soap on the sink, then pour vinegar and hot water down the drain to break down anything that could cause a block. Grind ice cubes and citrus peels and put them down the garbage disposal. Finish off by disinfecting high-touch areas like light switches, cabinet handles, and faucet knobs.

Sanitize the Bathroom

The first step is to disinfect the toilet, shower, and sink with antibacterial cleaners that will get rid of germs and bacteria. Scrub the toilet bowl, seat, and flush handle, then use a disinfectant spray on the shower walls, tub, and sink to remove built-up grime. Next, turn your attention to the grout and tiles — use a mold-removing cleaner or a mix of baking soda and vinegar to rid them of mold and mildew, especially in corners and damp areas. Then wipe down mirrors, faucets, and cabinet handles, and mop the bathroom floor with a disinfectant solution. It’s best to change old shower curtains, toilet seats, and bath mats, so you don’t have any problems arising from bacteria and odors left by prior residents.

Clean Bedrooms and Living Spaces

Begin by vacuuming carpets to remove dust and allergens, and if you see the need, shampoo them to remove embedded residue from old spills. Sweep and then mop floors with a disinfectant solution. Next, wipe walls, windows, and baseboards to eliminate any dirt and grime that’s built up over time. Go over them with a damp microfiber cloth and a mild cleaner so you don’t damage these surfaces. Pay attention to window tracks and sills, where dust usually collects. Attend to light switches, doorknobs, and handles with a disinfectant spray or antibacterial wipes to keep them germ-free.

Clean and Sanitize Floors

Cleaning the floors should be the last step in a pre-move cleaning session. Vacuum them to eradicate dust, dirt, and debris, then mop hard surfaces to eliminate germs. Use floor-specific cleaners — for instance, hardwood requires a gentle solution, while tile benefits from a disinfectant. Carpets, on the other hand, may need deep cleaning with a shampooer.

Robot vacuum cleaners from ECOVACS are great devices to use for heavy-duty floor cleaning, thanks to their automatic sweeping and mopping functions. Many models can go over high thresholds and will not scratch new floors, and you can set no-go zones on them so that they avoid entering a part of the house that isn’t ready to be cleaned yet.

The DEEBOT X8 PRO OMNI, for example, has a range of features that are well-suited to deep-cleaning needs. It comes with an ultra high-speed fan that delivers 18,000 Pa of suction power and upgraded TruEdge 2.0 technology allows the roller mop to extend dynamically during edge cleaning to maximize the coverage at edges and corners — making it highly effective at extracting dust and dirt from every nook and cranny of the house. Its OZMO ROLLER Instant Self-Washing Mopping feature helps remove stubborn stains and keeps the mop itself clean — a distinct advantage if you want a hands-off approach to some aspects of deep-cleaning your new space.

How to Make Sure the Home is Move-In Ready?

Before unpacking, ensure your home is truly ready for you to move in by checking for anything you may have missed. Inspect hidden areas for pests and mold, as infestations can lurk in places like ceiling corners, cupboards, pantries, and around windows and doors. Look for droppings, musty smells, or discoloration that may signal mold growth. Next, open all the windows to air out any stale odors left by the previous occupants or strong smells like fresh paint after renovation work. If necessary, use a robot vacuum to remove lingering dust and allergens. Finally, do a final walkthrough to make sure that every space is clean and nothing has been overlooked before you settle in.

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