You got the keys to your new apartment. It looks clean. It's not. The previous tenant did a move-out cleaning that ranged from "minimal effort" to "they tried, kinda." Before you put a single box down, here's what needs to happen.
Why Move-In Cleaning Matters
Even if the apartment looks clean on the surface, you're moving into a space that someone else lived in. Their skin cells, cooking residue, pet dander (even if the listing said no pets), and general grime are on every surface. You're also dealing with whatever the landlord's "cleaning crew" did, which is usually a quick mop and call it done.
Cleaning before you unpack is 10x easier than doing it after your furniture is in. Take advantage of the empty apartment.
The Move-In Checklist
Hit everything in this order:
- ✓Bathroom first — scrub the tub, toilet, sink, and floors. You'll need a clean bathroom from day one
- ✓Kitchen — clean inside all cabinets and drawers before putting anything in them. Clean the oven, fridge, and stovetop
- ✓Wipe down every closet shelf and rod
- ✓Clean all windows, sills, and tracks
- ✓Wipe down all baseboards and door frames
- ✓Clean light switches, outlets, and door handles (disinfect these)
- ✓Sweep, vacuum, and mop every floor
- ✓Check under sinks for any water damage or pest evidence
Document Everything
Before you clean anything, photograph the apartment's condition — every scuff, stain, and scratch. Email these to your landlord with the date. This protects your security deposit when you eventually move out. After cleaning, take another set of photos showing the apartment's condition as you received it after your cleaning.
Book a Professional
This is genuinely the best time to hire a move-in cleaning service. The apartment is empty, so we can reach every surface, clean every corner, and do it in half the time it would take with furniture in the way. A move-in deep clean for a 1-bedroom takes about 3–4 hours and gives you the peace of mind that you're starting fresh in a truly clean space.
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