When you take a picture inside your home, it might look completely spotless. However, photos don’t always capture a true picture of a home’s cleanliness. Years of leftover buildup can be hidden deep in corners or other locations.
House cleaning, like the ones paid for by home sellers or realtors, tend to focus on making the home look presentable, but the really messy parts are generally in places where they won’t likely be noticed. A true clean slate should be and feel clean, instead of just presentable.
Let’s look at what a move-in clean is and why you should get one if you’re getting ready to move into a new home.
What “Looks Clean” Usually Isn’t
If the previous owners or tenants had pets, there’s a good chance that pet hair and dander are stuck deep inside the carpets and other surfaces around the house. As for the bathrooms, they might look okay, but sinks, toilets, and grout lines likely haven’t been disinfected in a while and may have lingering bacteria.
In the kitchen, it’s easy to overlook grease on cabinet tops, around or under appliances, and on light fixtures. There can also be deep dirt throughout the home caused by pets, cooking, or long-term use that can leave odours over time, if they aren’t already present when you start moving in.
Where the Dirt and Bacteria Actually Hides
Dirt and bacteria love to find little hiding places all throughout homes and can easily be missed for long periods of time by previous owners, as well as being overlooked by move-out cleans that are more focused on visible areas.
Here is a room-by-room list of places where they like to hide:
High-Touch Spots
- Light and power switches
- Handles
- Locks
- Cabinet pulls
- Drawer fronts
- Thermostat buttons
- Stair railings
- Closet handles
- Window latches and pull cords
Bathroom Hotspots
- Around and behind the toilet
- Shower corners, grout, tracks
- Faucet bases and drains
- Vanity handles and drawers
Kitchen Leftovers
- Grease film on cabinets
- Sticky handles and knobs
- Sink rim, faucet base, and around the drain
- Crumbs and dust in hidden areas
Floors and Edges
- Baseboards
- Corners
- Floor edges
- Sticky spots
- Trapped hair
Cooking, Pet, Bathroom Odours
- Dust and hair (especially along edges and under appliances)
- Hidden areas, especially those easily overlooked or not visible
- Tops of doors and frames
- Behind appliances
- Vents and grills
- Window tracks and sills
The Benefits of a Move-In Cleaning Service
A move-in clean gives better results when the home is empty, as it means there are fewer places for hidden dirt, dust, and bacteria to hide. High-touch areas, edges, and baseboards can be cleaned properly, preventing you from coming into contact with bacteria left behind by the previous occupants.
It also saves time during your move-in week, as everything will already be clean. You can enjoy smooth, stress-free unpacking without having to sweep or mop before you can put things in their proper places. Starting with a clean baseline will also make it easier to maintain the upkeep and keep everything clean going forward.
Above all, it’s a nice feeling to move into a new home for the first time and not have to worry about whether or not hidden bacteria are lurking in the bathroom or trying to figure out why the kitchen smells bad when you turn on the air conditioning. A quality move-in clean before you take possession of your new home will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on enjoying your new surroundings.
What’s Included with a Move-In Cleaning
The services offered during a standard move-in clean may vary slightly from company to company, but most (including those from UrbanMop, Canada’s premier move-in cleaning service!) will include the following standard services and add-ons available upon request:
Standard checklist:
Kitchen
- Counters
- Sink
- Backsplash
- Appliance exteriors
- Cabinet fronts and handles
- Floors, especially edges and corners
Bathrooms
- Bathtub/shower
- Toilet
- Vanity
- Mirrors
- Disinfectant on all high-touch areas
- Floors, especially edges and corners
Throughout Your New Home
- Dust removal from all surfaces and ledges
- Thorough wipedowns of switches, door frames, and handles
- Vacuuming and mopping floors, with extra detail on the edges
Popular add-ons
- Inside the refrigerator and oven
- Inside cabinets and drawers
- Cleaning interior windows
- Spot clean on walls
Why You Should Book a Move-In Cleaning Before You Settle In
When you first move into your new home, you’ll want to make sure that it’s truly clean, and there isn’t a bunch of hidden dirt, bacteria, and spills waiting to get acquainted. Since move-out cleans often prioritize what looks good during a showing or final walkthrough, the deeper and less visible areas can be left behind.
With a proper move-in cleaning, you’ll get a fresh start and peace of mind. Instead of worrying about vacuuming, sweeping, or mopping before unpacking, you can immediately start decorating and arranging your home just the way you want it.
Book a Move-In Cleaning Before Moving Day with UrbanMop
For the best results to enjoy a truly clean home the second you walk through, consider booking your move-in cleaning service appointment before your actual move-in date. UrbanMop can schedule the cleaning before the boxes even arrive, so you can focus on your new home.
Don’t spend time during your move sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, or dusting. Contact UrbanMop and book your move-in cleaning service appointment today!