09/14/2026
Your new house was cleaned for showings. That doesn’t necessarily mean it was cleaned for YOU. 👀
After years of walking through homes with buyers, I can tell you: the obvious surfaces usually get the attention — floors, countertops, bathrooms and appliances.
It’s the places you don’t immediately see that I would check before unpacking.
Here’s my move-in checklist:
1. Dishwasher filter — remove it, clean it and run a cleaning cycle. You might be surprised by what’s hiding down there. 🤢
2. Washing machine — run a cleaning cycle and, with front-loaders, clean inside and underneath the rubber gasket.
3. Dryer vent — not just the lint screen. Check the duct and exterior vent. Excess lint buildup can also become a fire hazard.
4. Refrigerator water filter — replace it rather than assuming you know when the previous owner changed it. Flush the new filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Garbage disposal — clean the disposal and especially underneath the rubber splash guard. That’s often where unpleasant odors originate.
6. Range hood filters — clean or replace them depending on the type. Grease can accumulate there for years.
7. Bathroom exhaust fans — remove the covers and clean accumulated dust.
8. Toilet seats — inexpensive, easy to replace and one of my favorite fresh-start upgrades.
9. Showerheads — remove mineral buildup and sanitize them appropriately for the fixture.
10. Carpets — professionally clean them before your furniture arrives.
And one more that has nothing to do with cleaning but belongs on every buyer’s Day 1 list:
🔑 Rekey or replace the exterior locks.
You received the seller’s keys at closing. You have no way of knowing how many additional copies may still exist.
A few hours of work before moving in can make a house feel much more like your home from the first night.
SAVE this before your next closing — and SEND it to someone buying a home. 🏡
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