Vacating a home can be a stressful time. Following a list of necessary chores can make it easier to clean your entire home effectively. Break your house down by room and just start one room at a time.
KITCHEN
- Ensure that every cabinet is empty and clear of crumbs.
- Dust the tops of cabinets and clean the outside of all cabinets including hardware.
- Clean the sink and use a toothbrush for any grime around the faucets.
- Wipe down all kitchen counters.
Refrigerator
- Defrost it by unplugging for at least 24 hours before you plan to leave.
- Leave the door open and the refrigerator unplugged.
- Remove all shelves and drawers and wash separately with soap and warm water.
- Clean the inside of the refrigerator and freezer including the doors.
- Clean outside of appliance including top, underneath, and behind.
Stove
- Remove racks, oven broiler pans, and stove-top burner pans.
- Soak and clean them with steel wool pads.
- Clean oven hood and filter.
- Clean inside oven including oven door.
- Clean stove surface areas, under burners and around knobs (some stove knobs can be removed for thorough cleaning).
BATHROOMS
- Ensure each cabinet is empty and wiped down clear of debris.
- Wash and scrub the shower or tub including faucets, drains, and walls.
- Wash the outside and inside of the toilet.
- Clean sink, counter top, medicine cabinet, and any mirrors.
- Use a toothbrush to get the grime around any bathroom faucet.
WINDOWS
- Clean all blinds or curtains by dusting or washing them.
- If horizontal or vertical mini-blinds are extremely dirty remove them from their fixtures and wipe them down with mild soap and water.
- Be sure to dry them completely to prevent spots or rust marks.
- Clean the inside and outside of the windows with glass cleaner.
- Dust and clean window tracks and sills.
ALL ROOMS
- Dust all light bulbs and lighting fixtures and ensure that they are all in working order.
- Remove all cobwebs from corners.
- Dust exhaust fans, radiators, air conditioning vents, or heating grates.
- Clean all window panes, blinds, tracks, and window sills.
- Clean any dirty spots on the walls.
- Fill picture holes and perform touch-up painting on walls.
- Wipe down doors and door knobs so that they are free of any finger prints or grime.
- Ensure all closets and cabinets are free of personal belongings or debris.
- Wipe down closet bars (some can be removed) or dust closet shelves.
- Lastly, wash floors or vacuum carpets in each room.
Ensuring that an entire empty house is clean from top to bottom can seem overwhelming. Tackle each room one step at a time. Ensure that each room of the house is clear of belongings and trash. Then dust any shelves or fixtures. Clean thoroughly using the above instructions.
When you are finally ready to vacate a room, clean the floor or vacuum the carpet. Close the door and start on your next room. One by one, each room will eventually be completely clean and clear. Remove your final bag of trash and your cleaning supplies. You can then leave the empty house confident that it is sparkling.
