Move-In Deep Cleaning Checklist for a New Vancouver Home

Clean your new home before you unpack. A move-in deep clean works best when the space is empty: wipe the inside of every cabinet, drawer and closet, disinfect the kitchen and bathrooms, clean the high-touch surfaces, and finish with the floors. This checklist walks you through it room by room, in the order that saves you the most time. If you would rather not do it yourself, Cleaning4U offers move-in cleaning in Vancouver with a free quote.

Why Clean Before You Move In?

Once the furniture is in, you cannot reach the back of a cabinet, the floor under the sofa or the inside of a closet without moving everything again. Cleaning an empty home is faster and more thorough.

It also protects you in two ways. First, you start in a space you know is clean, which matters if you have children, pets or allergies. Second, if you are renting, B.C. landlords and tenants complete a condition inspection report at move-in. Doing it while the home is empty helps you notice and record any existing issues before your belongings are in the way.

Before You Start: Supplies and Order of Work

What to have ready

• Microfibre cloths and a bucket
• All-purpose cleaner and a disinfectant suited to the surface
• Glass cleaner or a vinegar-and-water mix for glass
• Toilet brush, scrub brush and non-scratch sponges
• A vacuum and mop
• Rubber gloves and garbage bags
• A step stool

The best order

1. Work from top to bottom. Dust falls, so start with ceiling corners, vents and light fixtures.
2. Work from the back of the home to the front, so you do not walk on cleaned floors.
3. Do the kitchen and bathrooms first, because they take longest.
4. Do the floors last.

Open the windows if the weather allows. Check that the power and water are on before you begin.

The Move-In Deep Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen

• Wipe inside every cabinet and drawer, including shelves and corners
• Clean the pantry shelves
• Clean the inside of the fridge, including shelves, drawers and seals
• Clean the inside of the oven and the stovetop
• Clean the inside of the microwave and the dishwasher
• Wipe the range hood and replace or clean the filter if you can
• Wipe countertops, backsplash and cabinet fronts
• Scrub and disinfect the sink and tap
• Wipe appliance exteriors
• Pull out the fridge and stove if you can do it safely, and clean beneath

Bathrooms

• Disinfect the toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it
• Scrub the bathtub, shower walls, tile and grout
• Clean glass shower doors and tracks
• Clean the sink, vanity and tap
• Wipe the inside of vanity drawers and cabinets
• Clean mirrors
• Wipe the exhaust fan cover
• Mop the floor, including behind the toilet

Bedrooms and living areas

• Dust ceiling corners, vents and light fixtures
• Wipe inside closets, shelves and rods
• Wipe baseboards, door frames and doors
• Clean windows, sills and tracks
• Wipe blinds, or remove and wash them where possible
• Wipe walls where you see marks
• Vacuum carpets and rugs; consider professional carpet cleaning while the room is empty

High-touch surfaces throughout

Clean and disinfect the surfaces the most hands meet:

• Door handles and knobs
• Light switches and thermostat
• Cabinet pulls
• Railings and stair banisters
• Remote-control panels, intercoms and keypads

Not sure of the difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing? Read our guide: The Difference Between Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sanitizing.

Entry, hallways, laundry and balcony

• Sweep and mop hallways and the entry
• Wipe the lint trap and drum of the dryer, and the inside of the washing machine and detergent drawer
• Wipe the balcony or patio floor, railing and door track
• Remove cobwebs from corners

Floors, last

• Vacuum all carpets and rugs
• Vacuum hard floors, then mop, working toward the exit
• Check the corners and edges

Moving Into a New Build or a Recently Renovated Home?

New does not mean clean. A new or renovated home can carry fine construction dust on every surface, in vents and along window tracks, plus paint splatters, adhesive residue and protective film. If the builder or renovator has not arranged a final clean, schedule a post-construction cleaning before you move in. The clean-up and detailing steps remove dust that a quick wipe cannot, including on vents, fixtures and window frames.

Tip: wipe surfaces with a damp microfibre cloth rather than a dry duster, so dust is lifted, not moved around.

What About a Deep Clean Before You Move In?

A regular clean wipes the visible surfaces. A deep clean goes further: baseboards, grout, soap scum, behind and beneath appliances and the places routine cleaning misses. Moving in is one of the best times for a deep clean, because the home is empty and every surface is reachable. Many homeowners combine a deep clean with move-in cleaning for the best result.

Do It Yourself or Hire a Professional?

Cleaning an empty home can take a full day or more, depending on its size and condition. You also have the move itself, the utilities, the boxes and the mail. A professional move-in clean saves time and lets you start unpacking right away.

Cleaning4U’s move-in cleaning covers counters, refrigerator shelves, cabinets, the pantry, showers, bathtubs, toilets and the high-touch surfaces like walls, knobs, handles, dials and railings. We use plant-based, eco-friendly cleaning products and bring all supplies and equipment. Our team is trained, background-checked, bonded and insured. If you are not satisfied with any part of the clean, contact us within 24 hours and we will return to address it at no additional cost where appropriate. Read what to expect from a quality move-in/out cleaning service.

Cleaning the inside of all kitchen appliances is available as an extra $30. Learn more on our move-in and move-out cleaning page, or request a free quote.

A Simple Move-In Day Plan

1. Book your clean for the day before the movers, or the morning of move-in before the truck arrives.
2. Take photos of the clean home. They are useful for your move-in inspection and for your records.
3. Complete your condition inspection with your landlord if you are renting.
4. Bring your own first-night supplies (toilet paper, soap and towels), so you do not need to hunt through boxes.
5. Put down floor protection before movers walk through.

Moving out too? See the Move Out Cleaning Checklist Vancouver Landlords Actually Expect.

Get a Free Move-In Cleaning Quote

Move-In Cleaning FAQs

What should a move-in deep clean include?

Inside all cabinets, drawers and closets, the kitchen and bathrooms, high-touch surfaces, baseboards, windows and sills, and the floors. Appliance interiors, especially the oven and fridge, are the items most often missed. Our checklist above lists each room.

When is the best time to clean before moving in?

After the previous occupant has left and before your furniture arrives. An empty home lets you reach everything, so you only need to clean it once.

Do I need a move-in clean if the home is new?

Often, yes. New builds and renovated homes can be covered in fine construction dust. A final post-construction clean removes it before you unpack.

How long does a move-in deep clean take?

It depends on the size of the home and how dirty it is. A small condo is a much shorter job than a large house. Request a quote with your home’s details and we will tell you what to expect.

Can Cleaning4U clean carpets as well?

Yes. Carpet cleaning can be added to the same visit. It is easiest while the rooms are empty.