Move-In Cleaning Checklist: What’s Included & How to Prep

Getting Ready for a Move-In Clean

We recently got a call from a customer — let’s call her Amanda — who was getting ready to move into a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment that had just been repainted. The place was empty, but she was nervous about moving her family in before it had a proper deep clean.

Her biggest worries? The inside of the fridge, the oven, and the bathroom. She told us, “It’s not really dirty, but I want a reset before we move our stuff in.” That’s exactly what a move-in cleaning is designed to do: give you a fresh start in a space that’s completely yours.

Using Amanda’s call as a guide, I’ll walk you through what’s typically included in a professional move-in clean, what you can expect from us when we arrive, and how to prep your empty home or apartment so you get the most out of your cleaning day.

What Is a Move-In Cleaning, Exactly?

On that call, I explained to Amanda that a move-in cleaning is a “total reset of the home.” It’s more detailed than a standard recurring clean because we’re preparing a freshly vacated space for new occupants.

Think of it as a deep clean focused on:

• Removing dust, paint dust, and construction debris after touch-ups or repainting
• Sanitizing kitchens and bathrooms from top to bottom
• Detailing hard-to-reach and often-forgotten areas
• Cleaning the inside of major appliances (especially the fridge and oven)

When we walk out, your home should feel new-to-you, even if the building itself is older.

What’s Included in Our Move-In Cleaning

With Amanda’s apartment, we went over the main areas and what we’d tackle. Our move-in checklist is very similar for most empty homes and apartments.

Kitchen Deep Clean

Amanda specifically requested the inside of the fridge and oven, so we built that into her quote. Here’s what we typically include in an empty kitchen:

• Clean and sanitize countertops and backsplash
• Wipe cabinet exteriors; interiors on empty units (by request or per package)
• Scrub and sanitize sink and faucet
• Clean outside of all appliances (fridge, oven, dishwasher)
• Clean inside of the oven and oven door
• Clean inside of the fridge: shelves, drawers, and door compartments
• Detail clean around handles, switches, and door frames
• Dust baseboards and vents
• Sweep and mop floors

In Amanda’s case, there was no microwave, so we simply skipped that part. If you don’t have a particular appliance, we adjust the checklist accordingly.

Bathrooms: Sanitized from Top to Bottom

The bathroom was “mainly” what Amanda cared about, and that’s very common. For move-in bathroom cleaning, we typically:

• Scrub and disinfect toilets, including base and behind
• Clean and sanitize tubs and/or showers, walls, and fixtures
• Polish faucets and showerheads
• Clean mirrors and light fixtures
• Wipe down vanity, cabinet fronts, and counters
• Clean sink and surrounding areas
• Dust baseboards, vents, and reachable fans
• Sweep and mop floors with a disinfecting solution

Bedrooms, Living Room, and Hallways

Because Amanda’s place had just been repainted, there was a lot of fine dust around. Even if a home “doesn’t look dirty,” it usually needs a detailed dusting. In general areas, our move-in service includes:

• Dusting all reachable surfaces, shelves, and window sills
• Dusting doors, trim, and baseboards
• Spot-cleaning smudges on doors and light switch plates
• Vacuuming or sweeping all floors
• Mopping hard floors
• Cobweb removal in corners and at ceiling line (where reachable)

If there are blinds, we’ll lightly dust them as time and package allow. Because the unit was empty, we could get to areas that are usually blocked by furniture, which makes this the perfect time for a reset.

How We Price and What to Expect on Cleaning Day

On the call, we asked Amanda for details like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and an estimate of the condition. We also asked her to rate the space from 1 (cleanest) to 10 (dirtiest). She chose a 5 — not filthy, but not move-in ready either.

Using that and the size of the apartment, we put together a quote (in her case, it came to $416) that covered a full move-in deep clean with fridge and oven interior included. Here’s what you can expect from us on cleaning day:

• Arrival window: We schedule a time block (for Amanda, it was 9–10 AM) and arrive within that window.
• Supplies and equipment: We bring everything we need — cleaning products, microfiber cloths, mops, vacuums, and scrub brushes.
• Walkthrough (if you’re present): We can quickly confirm any priorities (for Amanda, the fridge, oven, and bathroom).
• Detailed clean: We work room by room using our move-in checklist.

How to Prep Your Empty Home or Apartment for Move-In Cleaning

Amanda’s timing question was a smart one: she didn’t want us to come on the same day her movers arrived, or the apartment would no longer be empty. If you’re planning a move-in cleaning, here’s how to prep so we can do our best work.

1. Schedule Before the Movers

Whenever possible, book your cleaning before furniture and boxes arrive. An empty home allows us to reach baseboards, closets, and corners that are usually blocked.

If your schedule forces you to clean after the move, let us know in advance so we can adjust our plan and expectations — we’ll focus more on surfaces and less on fully open floor areas.

2. Confirm Utilities and Access

We use water and electricity, so make sure:

• Water is turned on for sinks and cleaning buckets
• Electricity is active for lights and vacuuming
• We know how to access the unit (lockbox code, leasing office, or meeting us there)

3. Clear Out Personal Items and Trash

Even in “empty” units, we sometimes find leftover items or bags of trash. Before we arrive, try to:

• Remove any remaining belongings from cabinets and closets
• Take out obvious trash and packaging
• Let us know if there are items that must not be touched

4. Decide on Extras in Advance

On our call with Amanda, we specifically asked if she wanted the fridge interior cleaned. That makes a big difference in the scope and price. Before you book, think about whether you’ll want:

• Inside of the fridge and freezer
• Inside of the oven
• Inside of kitchen and bathroom cabinets

Share your priorities up front so your quote is accurate and there are no surprises.

Is a Move-In Cleaning Right for You?

If you’re like Amanda — your place looks “okay” at first glance, but you want to feel confident about the fridge, oven, bathroom, and all those freshly painted, dusty surfaces — a professional move-in clean is usually worth it.

We treat it as a one-time reset that makes every future cleaning easier, whether you keep up with it yourself or bring us back for recurring service. When you unlock the door after a move-in clean, all that’s left for you to do is bring in your boxes and start making the place yours.