Deep Cleaning Empty House Checklist

Moving to a new country can be exciting, but moving out of the apartment can be stressful. When everything is packed and boxed and loaded onto the truck, the only thing is left – to do deep cleaning in your empty house. 

SDC International Shipping has put some ideas together for deep cleaning. This is the last step in your relocation process, but an important stage, especially if you rent an apartment and want to get your deposit back. 

The list of tasks for deep cleaning may seem long, but soon you will see you’re getting closer to the finish line. 

Here’s a checklist to help you deep clean your house.

Get Cleaning Supplies 

When planing deep cleaning, you should ensure you have all the necessary cleaning supplies. Doing this ahead of time is a very smart decision. 

Here is a list of the most important home cleaning items.

• Dish detergent, scouring powder, bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner, liquid soap, oven cleaner, all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaner, toilet cleaner, stain remover, and disinfectors.
• Goggles, rubber gloves, vacuum cleaner, brushes, sponges, paper towels, buckets, mop, broom, toilet brush, and cleaning wipes.
• Trash bags, shower curtains, light bulbs, etc. 

Things to Keep in Mind

Wash ceilings and walls in all rooms, clean interior doors, dust light fixtures, ceiling fans, and clean closets. 

Talk to the landlord. It may not make sense to clean some furnishings since the landlord may plan to order professional cleaning services.

Start cleaning the apartment from the last room. The entrance space or hall should be the last space you clean. Ask your family and friends to help you. Otherwise, grab a music player to keep you entertained while you are deep cleaning your empty house.

Here’s how you deep clean your empty house.

Bathroom Cleaning

• Thoroughly clean the toilet, tub, sink, and bathroom fixtures with bathroom cleaners. 
• Get rid of soap residue from plumbing fixtures and walls. 
• Wipe down bathroom floor/tiles with a good disinfectant liquid.
• Wipe bathroom windows, mirrors, cabinets, and light fixtures. 
• Get rid of any broken glass in the bathroom and replace light bulbs. You may also need to replace a damaged/dirty shower curtain.
• Make sure you clean your bathroom door on the inside and outside. 

Bedroom, Office, and Living Room Cleaning

Your bedroom, office, or living room may have hardwood, vinyl, cork, or bamboo flooring. 

• Use the right cleaning liquid to remove traces of dust and dirt.
• If applicable, vacuum carpets thoroughly. 
• Use aerosol cleaners to remove stains from the carpet. 
• Be sure to clean all bedroom windows. 

Kitchen Cleaning

The kitchen is one of the dirtiest rooms in the house. Thus, you will need extra effort to deep clean your kitchen. 

• You can start with appliances like the stove, refrigerator, microwave, etc. (if these appliances are staying). 
• Remove all shelves and plastic containers from the refrigerator and wash them. 
• Put everything back in the refrigerator after they dry out. 
• Similarly, scrub the stove and microwave, inside and out, with a good scraper. 
• You may need to move your appliances to clean up the floors temporarily. 
• Use cleaners to clean kitchen cabinets, windows, and countertops. 
• Use a multi-purpose cleaner to clean kitchen walls and appliances. 
• You may need to clean the sink with a detergent designed for this purpose. 
• Make sure all electrical appliances in the kitchen are working properly. 
• Use a good floor cleaner and a mop to clean your kitchen floors.

Patio or Deck Cleaning

• Clean floors and railings with a good cleaner. 
• You may need a stronger product for the most stubborn stains.
• You may consider pressure washing.
• Clean the grill.
• Debug porch lights.
• Clean faucet taps and outdoor hoses.
• Deep clean the sitting area with soap and water.
• The surface dust can be removed with a dry cloth. 

Hall Cleaning

• Clean all pieces of furniture with liquid detergents. 
• Clean the mats with a vacuum cleaner. Similarly, wash the floor. 
• You may need to clean your front door and shoe rack with a good liquid disinfectant. 
• Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the upholstery and curtains in the living room. 
• Make sure all electrical appliances are working properly and in excellent condition. 
• If necessary, replace burned-out light bulbs with new ones.