Before you move into a new Houston home or apartment, clean the inside of every cabinet, drawer, closet and appliance, then the bathrooms, then the floors and baseboards last. Work top to bottom and finish one room before you start the next. Do it before the furniture arrives, because an empty house is the only time every surface is easy to reach.
Why clean a home that's supposed to be clean already?
A previous owner or tenant may have cleaned on the way out, but "clean" means something different to everyone. A landlord's turnover crew is working against a deadline. And in a brand-new build, construction dust settles on shelves, inside cabinets and in the vents after the last trade leaves.
You only get one chance to clean the house with nothing in it.
What does a move-in clean cover, room by room?
These are the four areas we spend the most time on in an empty home.
The kitchen, inside and out
Start with the inside of every upper and lower cabinet and drawer, then the appliances. Pull the shelves and bins out of the refrigerator and wash them, wipe the gaskets and clean the inside of the oven, the microwave and the dishwasher door edges.
Before you load groceries, check the temperature. The FDA says "it’s important to keep its temperature at 40 °F or below; the freezer should be at 0 °F." It also notes that "few refrigerator controls show actual temperatures," so it recommends a freestanding appliance thermometer (FDA). An unplugged fridge needs time to cool back down.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are where most people want a fresh start. Clean the inside of the vanity drawers and the cabinet under the sink before your own towels and toiletries go in. Scrub the tub or shower, the toilet base and behind it, the mirror and the fixtures.
Run the exhaust fan while you work. If it barely pulls air, make a note for the landlord or your inspector now, before a Houston summer turns that bathroom humid every day.
Bedrooms and closets
Closets are easy to forget and hard to reach once they're full. Wipe the shelves, the rods and the top of the door frame, then vacuum the closet floor and corners. In the room itself, dust the ceiling fan blades first, then wipe the switches, door handles and window sills.
Floors, baseboards and vents
Floors always go last. Dust the vent covers and light fixtures first, wipe the baseboards and doors next, then vacuum and mop on your way out of each room. If you clean the floors first, everything you dust afterward falls onto them.
This is also the moment to look at the AC filter. If you don't know when it was last changed, change it before you move in.
What order should you clean a new home in?
- Walk the house first and take photos of any damage, stains or leaks before you clean, especially in a rental.
- Turn on the AC and the water heater and check that the fridge is running.
- Clean the kitchen first: cabinets and drawers, then appliances inside and out, then counters and sink.
- Clean the bathrooms next: vanity drawers, under-sink cabinets, tub or shower, toilet, mirrors and fixtures.
- Work through bedrooms and closets top to bottom: fan blades, shelves, sills, switches.
- Finish with baseboards, vents and floors, working toward the front door.
- Change the AC filter and test the smoke alarms before the first night.
Should you hire a move-in cleaner or do it yourself?
A small apartment is manageable on your own with good supplies and a free day. A larger house is usually more than a weekend, often the same weekend you're packing the old place. The days between getting the keys and the moving truck are what a professional move-in clean is for.
Our move-in cleans cover the same list as a move-out clean: cabinet and drawer interiors, closets and shelving, appliances inside and out, bathrooms, baseboards, doors, light fixtures and vents, window sills and tracks. Floors are done last. They're priced by the size and condition of the home. We clean homes and apartments across Houston, Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Sienna Plantation and Richmond.
Questions we get
What should I clean first when moving into a new house?
Start with the kitchen: the inside of the cabinets and drawers, then the refrigerator, oven and microwave. Move on to the bathrooms, then the bedrooms and closets. Clean the floors last so nothing you dust falls onto a clean floor.
Should I clean a brand-new home before moving in?
Yes. New construction often leaves fine dust on shelves, inside cabinets, on window sills and in the vents even after the builder's final clean. Wipe every shelf and drawer and change the AC filter before you unpack.
Is a move-in clean the same as a move-out clean?
The list is the same. The difference is timing. A move-out clean is done after you leave so the home is ready for the next people. A move-in clean is done after you get the keys and before your furniture arrives.
How long before move-in day should I schedule the cleaning?
As close to move-in day as you can, after any painting or repairs are finished. Cleaning the day before the movers come keeps dust and traffic from building up again.