Move-In Cleaning Checklist: What to Clean Before You Unpack Anything
Moving into a new place is exciting. But before you start arranging your bookshelf or figuring out where the couch goes, you need to clean first.
Even if the place looks fine, you don't know who lived there before you, what they cleaned (or didn't), or what's been sitting untouched in the back of those cabinets. A fresh start means actually starting fresh.
This checklist walks you through every room in the order that makes the most sense. Do this before you bring in a single box, if you can.
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What You'll Need
A few basics will get you through the whole apartment:
Microfiber cloths (a few — you'll go through them)
Scrub brush or sponge - this includes the scrub daddy cleaning paste!
Vacuum - I personally prefer corded vacuums so I always recommend this one!
Start Here: Kitchen
The kitchen is the most important room to deep clean before you move in. Food, grease, and moisture create buildup that's not always visible.
Wipe and line the inside of every cabinet and drawer before you put anything in them
Clean the stovetop, burners, and control knobs
Wipe out the oven — run a cleaning cycle if it has one
Clean behind the stove before it gets pushed against the wall — you won't want to move it later
Clean the inside of the refrigerator, including door shelves and drawers
Wipe down the microwave inside and out
Disinfect the sink and faucet
Clean the countertops thoroughly before you set anything down
Additional Products:
Angry mama microwave cleaner - this is a game changer for cleaning the microwave
Bathroom
The bathroom is the second priority. Don't skip corners — this one really matters.
Scrub the toilet inside and out, including behind the base
Clean the tub or shower, including grout if needed — old grout buildup is worth tackling now before it gets worse
Wipe down the sink and faucet
Clean the mirror
Wipe inside medicine cabinet shelves
Disinfect light switches and door handles
Replace the toilet seat — it's cheaper than you'd think and one of the best things you can do to make a bathroom feel truly yours
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Bedroom
Less grimy than the kitchen and bath, but still worth doing properly.
Wipe down the inside of any closets and shelves
Clean light switches and outlet covers
Wipe down window sills and blinds
Vacuum or sweep before you bring in any furniture
If the carpet looks questionable, a carpet refresher or steam cleaner rental is worth it
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Living Room
Wipe down baseboards — they collect dust fast
Clean window sills and blinds
Sweep or vacuum before anything comes in
Wipe light switches and door handles
Check ceiling corners for any cobwebs
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Easy-to-Miss Spots (Don't Skip These)
These are the ones most people forget — and the ones that make the biggest difference.
Light switch covers in every room — wipe with a disinfectant
Door handles and knobs — one of the highest-touch surfaces in any home
Ceiling fan blades if there are any — dust buildup happens fast
Vents and registers — pull them off and wipe them down if you can
Inside closet rods — people forget these but they collect dust
Under the kitchen sink — check for any moisture or residue before you store anything there
Pest Control: Do This Before You Unpack
This one's easy to skip, but so worth doing before any furniture or boxes are in the way.
You don't need to go overboard, just a few simple steps now can save you a lot of headaches later. Even clean apartments can have hidden pest issues, especially in older buildings or ground-floor units.
Check under the sink, behind the stove, and in cabinet corners for any signs of droppings or damage
Look for gaps or cracks along baseboards, around pipes, and where the wall meets the floor. These are common entry points and worth sealing before you settle in
Sprinkle diatomaceous earthalong baseboards, under appliances, and in cabinet corners. It's a natural, non-toxic powder that kills crawling insects and is safe to use around pets and kids
Place roach or ant bait stations in cabinets and under the sink before you store anything there
If the apartment has a history of pests or you're in a building with shared walls, ask your landlord about professional treatment before move-in
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A Note on Air Quality
One thing most people don't think about: the air.
If you can, open windows and run a fan for a few hours before you move anything in. Swap out the HVAC filter if you have access. It's usually an easy and inexpensive fix that makes a real difference, especially if you have allergies.
Once you're settled, an air purifier is one of the best things you can add to a new space. You don't know what the air quality is like in a new building. A purifier handles all of it quietly in the background. A small one is enough for a bedroom or living room.
A humidifier is worth thinking about too, especially if you're moving in during fall or winter. New spaces can feel dry and stale, and a humidifier makes a noticeable difference in how comfortable a room feels, better sleep, less dry skin, and it helps your plants thrive too if you have any.
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You're Ready
A clean space before move-in day means you're starting fresh, not inheriting someone else's mess. It takes a few hours, but you'll feel so much better once it's done.
Take your time with this one. Put on a playlist, work through the list room by room, and then enjoy unpacking into a space that's truly yours.
