How to deep clean the empty house
Deep clean an empty house from the top down, before the furniture arrives. Start with fans, vents and cabinet tops, then do walls, kitchen and bathrooms, and finish with floors at the exit. Use the same visit to check for leaks and mold, and keep bleach away from other cleaners.
When to deep clean an empty house before move-in
You get one chance at this. Book it between closing and moving day, ideally after any painting or repairs and before carpet cleaning, so workers don't track dirt over your finished floors.
| Order | Job | Why now |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Repairs, painters and any floor work | These make the most dust |
| 2 | Top-down cleaning, room by room | Dust falls onto what isn't done yet |
| 3 | Carpet cleaning | CRI suggests a deep clean every 12 to 18 months, and you don't know the last one |
| 4 | New HVAC filter | Cleaning stirs up dust, and EPA says to replace soiled filters |
| 5 | Final wipe and floors | Do this last, working toward the door |
After that, you're on normal upkeep. CRI recommends vacuuming carpet at least once a week, and more in busy rooms.
Supplies for cleaning an empty house
- Vacuum with a hose and crevice tool, plus a HEPA filter if you have one
- Microfiber cloths, sponges and a long-handled duster
- Bucket, mop and a stable step stool
- All-purpose cleaner, degreaser, glass cleaner and a bathroom cleaner
- Non-scratch scrub pads and an old toothbrush
- Gloves, trash bags and a good flashlight
- A new HVAC filter in the right size
- Food coloring for the toilet leak test
Keep the chemistry simple. Bleach releases chlorine gas when it meets acids, and that group includes vinegar, some toilet bowl cleaners and drain cleaners. Bleach and ammonia make toxic chloramine gas, and some glass cleaners contain ammonia. Use one product, rinse it off, and open windows. If anyone has trouble breathing, get to fresh air and call 911.
Homes built before 1978 need a gentler plan. EPA says to assume paint may contain lead. Wet-wipe painted trim and window sills. Avoid steel wool, abrasive cleaners and scrubber-strip mops on painted surfaces. If paint is peeling or chipping, don't scrape it or dry sweep the chips. Pick them up with a damp paper towel and keep young children and pregnant people away.
How to deep clean an empty house, top to bottom
- Turn on the lights and open up
Open windows for fresh air, turn on exhaust fans and walk the house with a flashlight, listing anything that needs a repair.
- Clear the high spots
Dust ceiling fan blades, vent covers, light fixtures and the tops of doors and cabinets, moving from the back of the house forward.
- Wipe the walls and trim
Work from the top down, including door frames, switch plates and baseboards. Test any cleaner on a hidden spot first.
- Work through the kitchen
Vacuum drawers and shelves first, then wipe. Do the oven, fridge and dishwasher while you're there, including the dishwasher filter.
- Give bathrooms a long soak
Pick up hair, apply one cleaner and leave it for the label's contact time. Do other tasks, then scrub and rinse.
- Run the leak tests
Do the toilet dye test and the two-hour meter test while nobody's using water.
- Change the HVAC filter
Write the date on the new one, and vacuum the return grilles.
- Finish with floors
Vacuum everything, then damp mop hard floors according to their finish, backing toward the door.
What to look for during move-in cleaning
An empty house is the best inspection you'll get. Stop and investigate if you find any of these:
- Mold over about 10 square feet. EPA says to bring in a pro at that size, or if you suspect hidden mold or sewage.
- Stains or soft spots under sinks, around toilets or behind the fridge.
- A running or leaking toilet. Add food coloring to the tank, wait 10 minutes without flushing and look in the bowl.
- Water use with nothing on. Read the meter, wait two hours with no water running and read it again. Any change suggests a leak.
- Droppings, nests or dead insects in cabinets. Clean with care, and wear gloves and a mask.
- Odors that return after cleaning, such as pet urine, smoke or sewer gas. Pet stains may have reached the subfloor, and a sewer smell needs a plumber.
- Loose or crumbling pipe wrap, old floor tiles or popcorn ceilings that are damaged. Don't scrape or sand them. Have suspect material tested first, because it may contain asbestos.
EPA says leaks waste more than 9,300 gallons a year in the average home, and about 9% of homes lose 50 gallons or more a day. Both tests above take almost no effort.
Deep cleaning before moving in: DIY or hire a crew?
Most owners can do a clean house themselves in a day or two. A bigger or dirtier house, or one with smoke or pets, can take much longer. Consider hiring out these parts:
- Carpet cleaning, which CRI describes as hot-water extraction
- High windows, chandeliers or anything needing a tall ladder
- Move-in cleaning crews, when you're short on time. Prices vary by house size and condition, so ask for a written quote that lists the oven, fridge and inside of cabinets
- Large mold problems, lead paint work or suspected asbestos, which need qualified or licensed pros
What homeowners say about cleaning a house before moving in
Deal with carpet while the rooms are empty: replace it or have it professionally cleaned. One owner settled for a cleaning and later found the pad underneath worn out. They wish they had replaced it before the furniture went in. (Reddit)
Run the dishwasher and washing machine empty with a cleaning tablet or vinegar. Clean the dryer's lint-trap slot, not just the screen. Swap the range hood or microwave vent filter and the fridge water filter, since you don't know when they were last changed. (Reddit)
Pull the fridge and range out and clean behind and under them. Owners say nobody has done it in years. Degrease the cabinet faces, wipe the baseboards and trim, and unscrew and rinse every faucet aerator. (Reddit)
Where owners disagree: The most upvoted view is to scrub the empty house yourself, top to bottom, because you find small problems you'd otherwise miss. Owners who hired a crew push back hard: it's fairly cheap for an empty house, the crew is far more thorough after your week of moving, and your own hours go further on locks and paint. One owner who did it with family says a small house took a full week. (Reddit)
Where owners disagree: Many say to rip out the previous owner's carpet, and one pulled it up the night of closing to find hardwood underneath. Others say a professional steam clean is fine. New toilet seats are a popular first purchase, but one reply notes porcelain only needs an aggressive clean. Another owner says to skip cheap slow-close seats because theirs broke within a month. (Reddit)
Move-in cleaning questions
How long does it take to deep clean an empty house?
Plan on one to two days for a typical house, longer if it was left dirty. Doing it room by room from the top down keeps you from cleaning anything twice.
Should I clean carpets before moving in?
Yes, if you're keeping them. CRI recommends a deep cleaning every 12 to 18 months, and an empty room is the easiest time to do it.
Is it safe to use bleach and vinegar together?
No. Washington's health department warns that bleach mixed with an acid such as vinegar releases chlorine gas. Use one product, rinse the surface, then use the next.
What you’ll need
Sources: carpet-rug.org, doh.wa.gov, EPA
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.