The best time to clean a home is before your things go in. Once the boxes and furniture arrive, the inside of cabinets, closets and appliances is hard to reach for months. This is the list our crews work from on a move-in clean, room by room.
The move-in cleaning checklist
Kitchen
- Wipe inside every cabinet and drawer, before you unpack
- Clean inside the oven, fridge and microwave
- Clean the stovetop and range hood
- Wipe counters and backsplash
- Clean and polish the sink and faucet
- Wipe the outside of the dishwasher and every appliance
Bathrooms
- Clean and disinfect the shower and tub
- Clean the grout surface
- Clean and disinfect the toilet
- Wipe inside the vanity drawers and cabinets
- Clean the sink, mirrors and fixtures
Bedrooms and living areas
- Hand wipe every surface
- Wipe and spot clean baseboards
- Wipe blinds slat by slat
- Clean interior windows, sills and ledges
- Wipe light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Wipe doors, frames, switch plates and outlet covers
- Wipe air vent covers
Closets, laundry and floors
- Wipe closet shelves, rods and built-ins
- Clean closet floors and linen closets
- Sweep the entry and garage where clear (patios and balconies are extra)
- Vacuum carpets, then vacuum and mop hard floors
Timing tips
- Book it between closing and moving day. A move-in clean works best when the home is largely empty. We clean around anything already there.
- Unpack the kitchen last. Clean cabinets and drawers first, then fill them.
- Not there yet? You do not need to be. Keys and lockboxes are easy to set up: just note it when you book. Some realtors book move-in cleans for their clients this way.
- Short notice is OK. We welcome same-day bookings for move-ins and move-outs when the schedule allows.
Just finished building or remodeling? Construction dust needs its own kind of clean. See our post-construction cleaning page.
"Had a great experience with Alpharetta Cleaning Co. for our move-in clean. The team was professional, thorough, and left the house spotless." Kam D., Google review
"I called this company with a one-day notice before moving into my new home for a pre-cleaning, and they showed up and did an extraordinary job" Juanita B., Google review
Common questions
When should I book a move-in clean?
Between closing or getting the keys and moving day, while the home is still empty.
Does a move-in clean include inside the cabinets and appliances?
Yes. It includes the inside of the appliances, cabinets, drawers and closets.
Do I need to be there?
No. Tell us how to get in when you book, with a key, door code or lockbox.
Can you clean on short notice?
We welcome same-day move-in and move-out bookings when the schedule allows. Call or text 678-578-4747 to check.