Moving House? Here's Your Cleaning Checklist
Moving involves two properties, not one — here's what needs cleaning in each, and when to fit it in around a hectic moving day.
Two properties, two different jobs
Moving house means thinking about cleaning twice over: leaving your old property in good order, and getting your new one properly clean before your belongings go in. It's easy for cleaning to slip down the priority list amid the chaos of boxes, van hire and address changes, but doing it properly at both ends makes settling in far more pleasant.
Cleaning the property you're leaving
Whether you're selling or renting, leaving a property clean is simply good practice — and if you're a tenant, it directly affects your deposit return. Aim to do this once the property is completely empty of furniture and boxes, since it's far easier to clean thoroughly with nothing in the way.
- Clean inside all cupboards, wardrobes and drawers
- Clean the oven, hob and extractor fan
- Vacuum and, ideally, professionally clean carpets
- Wipe down skirting boards and any marks on walls
- Clean windows, sills and window tracks
- Check the garden, shed and bins if applicable
Preparing your new home before moving in
Cleaning a new home before it's full of your belongings is one of the most satisfying jobs you'll do during the move, and one of the most valuable, since carpets, cupboards and surfaces are all fully accessible. Even if the previous occupants left it tidy, a fresh clean means you're starting on your own terms rather than inheriting someone else's standards.
- Wipe out all cupboards and drawers before unpacking into them
- Clean the bathroom thoroughly, including behind the toilet and around taps
- Check and clean the oven and hob before first use
- Vacuum or clean carpets, especially if pets or previous furniture were present
- Clean windows inside and out to let more light in
- Run the washing machine on an empty hot cycle if it's been unused for a while
Timing it around moving day
If possible, arrange access to your new property a day or two before moving day so cleaning doesn't have to compete with unloading boxes and furniture. For your old property, cleaning is often easiest done the morning of moving day once the removal van has left, or the evening before if you've already vacated most rooms. Many people across Hull and Cottingham choose to book a professional clean for exactly this window, since it's the busiest and most tiring part of the whole process.
Don't forget these often-missed jobs
A few tasks get overlooked in the rush of a move but are worth building into your checklist at either property.
- Cleaning light fittings and switch plates
- Checking behind radiators for dust build-up
- Cleaning inside the letterbox and around the front door
- Wiping down the inside of any built-in appliances left behind
Let us handle the cleaning while you handle the move
If you'd like professional help at either end of your move, call 07881 170006 or email info@truenestyh.com — we cover both end-of-tenancy style cleans and getting new homes move-in ready across Hull and East Yorkshire.