If you are moving into a “new-to-you” home, cleaning will be on the top of your to-do list. While many sellers try their best to tidy and clean as they move out, the reality is, during the chaos things are missed or time is cut short. Before you settle in, here is a list of things you will want to clean!

The Bathroom

No matter how sparkly it may look, the first thing you’ll want to do is give the bathroom a deep cleaning. Even if it’s already clean, things show up in bathrooms. Think about all those times you forgot to flush or thought no one would notice that little toothpaste stripe on the mirror!

Some of the things you’ll want to look for are grime around the bathtub, mould around a window or a vent, any stains on a mirror and chipped tiles. Along with thoroughly washing down surfaces such as counters, sink and shelves, you will want to deep clean the toilet and tub. Finally, be sure to check for any toiletries that were left behind. While these may not look like much, they could start smelling musty or even breed mould.

The Kitchen

You’ll probably want to give the kitchen a good scrubbing as well! Even if it’s sparkling clean, you will want to check your kitchen under all those appliances for anything that might be lurking.

Beyond cleaning the countertops, sink and cabinetry (inside and out), you will also want to focus on the appliances. Scrub down the oven, stove-top, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher. Anywhere that has grease build-up will be a prime breeding ground for germs.

The Living Spaces

Aside from the obvious rooms in the house (kitchen, bathroom), you will want to ensure that living spaces are clean, especially if you have kids or pets.

Many of the rooms in the house will be completely empty, or close to, making it a great time to get scrubbing. Before furniture is placed, rugs are thrown down or pictures are hung, you’ll want to deep clean any floors or surfaces.

Bedrooms

For bedrooms, you’ll want to give some extra attention to areas that are normally ignored. These include closet floors, areas that furniture where and more. This is also a great time to focus on window treatments. Whether it is fabric drapes or wooden blinds, now is the time to clean them thoroughly.

Windows

Windows are another item you will want to focus on. Depending on its exposure to sunlight, windows can be quite dirty. You will want to clean all windows inside and outside your home. This also means getting out the ladder! Do not forget about sills, frames and tracks as well. If the weather is appropriate, you may also want to remove the screens and give them a good cleaning.

The Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans

While not many people think of this when moving in, the fixtures and fans will be covered in dust and grease! And since they hang so high up on a ceiling, it’s easy for them to go unnoticed.

These can be some of the dirtiest things in your home, so it’s important to give them a good clean. Use an all-purpose cleaner to spray down fixtures and fans (making sure not to get any cleaner on lightbulbs), then use an old towel or rag to wipe everything down.

Vents

Things have a way of getting dusty, so be sure to give the vents a good once over. Some of these may include heating and cooling vents. Depending on where they are located in your home, you may want to use an air compressor, taking care not to damage the vent itself.

Carpeted Areas

While some carpeted areas might look clean, the truth is usually lurking under the surface. Because of this, you will want to do a thorough cleaning so there are no stains or smells on the surface.

Before filling a room or settling in, it may be beneficial to rent a steam cleaner and deep clean carpets throughout the house. Focus on high traffic areas such as hallways and bedrooms. Make sure to check any carpeted stairs as well!

Before moving into a new house, it is important to understand that “new” doesn’t always mean “clean.” While you can never be certain every square inch of the house has been thoroughly cleaned, these are some of the most common areas to overlook. By spending a little extra time to clean these areas thoroughly, you will have a much more pleasant move.