Moving into a new house is exciting and fun. From exploring to unpacking in your new space, there’s a lot to get done to complete the move. But, before you get settled — it’s time to avoid letting the dust settle. Having a house cleaning checklist and knowing how to deep clean a new house helps keep every nook and cranny of your new home sparkling clean.
Dust, dirt, and grime from previous occupants or the construction process quickly build up if not dealt with immediately. So, let’s review everything you need on your house cleaning checklist before moving day arrives.
How To Deep Clean a New House
Most new homes will be empty, but not all. So, start by decluttering and throwing away unwanted items. This may include some of the older furniture you’ve brought in that doesn’t quite fit the space as planned. From there, focus on cleaning each room. Remember to start near the ceiling, work your way down and from one corner of the room, and work your way out.
With a house cleaning checklist, here is how you can keep every corner of your house sparkling clean:
Kitchen
The first place to tackle is food preparation surfaces, appliances, and sinks. Doing this will help to prevent the spread of bacteria. Here are some of the items to clean in your kitchen:
Counters and Backsplash
Wipe down all surfaces with a multipurpose cleaner and a damp cloth. Next, clean the grout lines in tile counters and backsplashes with a toothbrush or stiff wire bristle brush and water, bleach, and tide solution to remove spills and stains.
Cabinets
Empty all the cabinets and drawers, and wipe the inside and outside with a damp microfibre cloth. If the cabinets are extra dirty, use a degreaser or all-purpose cleaner to wash built-up grease or grime.
Sink
Wash your sink with soap and water, and disinfect it with a mixture of bleach and water. Let the solution sit on the surface for several minutes, then rinse it with clean water. This gets rid of any bacteria that may be lurking in your sink. If your sink still looks grimy, use liquid barkeeper’s friend and a healthy dose of elbow grease.
Garbage Disposal
Put a few ice cubes down the drain and turn on the disposal. As the ice cubes break up, trapped grime and debris loosen. Run cold water for 30 seconds to flush out the system.
Refrigerator
Remove everything from the fridge, and wash the shelves and drawers with warm, soapy water. Dry them with a clean towel, then put everything back in. Finally, wipe down the outside of the fridge with a multipurpose cleaner. Don’t forget to vacuum out the seals!
Oven
Remove the racks and wash them in the sink with warm, soapy water. Next, clean the oven door with a glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. To clean the oven’s inside, remove any crumbs or debris.
Mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Spread the paste over the surfaces of the oven and let it sit for 30 minutes. Spray the oven with white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes. Use a sponge or scrub brush to wash off the paste. Rinse the surfaces with clean water and dry them with a clean towel.
Living Room
Here’s what you need to focus on when deep cleaning your living room:
Chandeliers and Lights
Use a ladder to reach the lights in your home. Whether they’re a chandelier, pendant light, or otherwise, set up safely before you start cleaning. Remove any dust or debris from the lights by vacuuming the fixtures with a horsehair brush, a soft cloth, or a feather duster.
Carpets and Rugs
Vacuum the carpets to remove any dirt, dust, and pet hair. If there are any stains, treat them with a carpet cleaner before vacuuming. Make sure to use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar, which really lifts deeply rooted dirt and hair.
Baseboards
Vacuum baseboards with a horse-hair brush attachment, then wipe with a damp cloth to remove dust and cobwebs.
Doors, Door Frames, and Light Switches
These areas are notorious for collecting grease and dark smudges. Use a damp microfibre cloth and a solution of water, bleach, and tide to wipe down these surfaces.
Blinds and Curtains
Vacuum blinds and curtains with the horse hair attachment on your vacuum cleaner. You can also dust them with a microfiber cloth, but remember that a wet cloth will turn excessive dust into a sludgy paste. Very dirty blinds can be washed in a bathtub.
Furniture
Move furniture away from the walls to clean underneath and behind. Vacuum upholstered furniture with an upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. If the fabric is washable, spot clean with mild detergent; clean leather furniture with a leather cleaner. Wipe down wood furniture with a damp cloth.
Windows
Clean both the inside and outside of your windows. First, use a glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth to clean the glass surfaces. Next, wipe down the frames and sills with a damp cloth.
Bathroom and Bedroom Areas
Focus on these areas when deep cleaning your bathroom and bedroom:
Bathroom
- Sanitize the toilets and showers
- Scrub the tubs and sinks
- Wipe down all the surfaces, including the counter and cabinets
- Clean the mirrors
- Empty the trash cans
- Mop the floor
Bedroom
- Dust all the surfaces, including the furniture, picture frames, and lamps
- Wipe down any hard surfaces, such as the nightstand and dresser
- Remove cobwebs from the corners and ceiling.
- Vacuum the floor and any upholstered furniture
Outdoor Areas
Deep cleaning your house is not complete until you tackle the outdoor areas. Here’s what you need to do:
- Porch and Deck: Sweep the patio and deck to clean out any dirt, dust, and debris. If there are any stains, clean them with a pressure washer or deck cleaner to avoid damaging the surface by scrubbing too hard.
- Gutters: Clean leaves, twigs, and other debris from your gutters. Use a garden hose to flush out the gutters and downspouts.
- Garage: Sweep the floor and any concrete surfaces. If there are any oil stains, clean them with a degreaser like Dawn Powerwash. Wipe down any surfaces, such as the shelves and workbench. Organize your tools and equipment.
- Siding: Pressure or power wash the siding to wash off dirt and grime.
What is the Best Cleaning Schedule?
After deep cleaning your house and moving in, maintain it using a cleaning checklist. Here’s a suggested cleaning schedule:
Daily
- Make the bed
- Wipe down surfaces, sinks, and counters
- Sweep the floors
- Do the dishes
Weekly
- Vacuum the floors
- Clean the toilets
- Wash the sheets and towels
- Clean the showers and tubs
- Empty the trash cans
Monthly
- Clean the windows
- Dust blinds and curtains
- Clean the oven and fridge
- Wash rugs and carpets
- Vacuum furniture
Yearly
- Clean the gutters
- Pressure wash or power wash the driveway
- Deep clean using our house cleaning checklist
Cleaning Tips From GoCleanCo That We Love
One of the most popular Instagram accounts and cleaning websites is GoCleanCo. This Calgary-based company has blown up sharing their cleaning hacks and products that can change the game while deep cleaning around the home.
Here are some of our favourite tips from their platform:
- Start from the top surfaces of the house and work your way down. This prevents you from having to clean the same area twice.
- Clean the light fixtures. Dust them regularly, vacuum with a horsehair attachment, and wipe the bulbs.
- Use a microfiber cloth to dust surfaces. It captures more dust and dirt and is washable.
- When in doubt, use water, bleach and Tide.
- Keep a clean house checklist. This will help you track what needs to be cleaned and when, or use GoCleanCo’s 2023 cleaning calendar.
- Hire a professional cleaning company. Their experience and knowledge save you time and energy while ensuring your house is sparkling clean.
You Need a House Cleaning Checklist
After you move into your new house, you want to start in a clean space with clean households. Using this house cleaning checklist to guide you, eliminate dirt, dust, and grime as quickly as possible. You start fresh in a clean space without any health hazards. Don’t forget to schedule regular cleaning to maintain a clean house.
