Becoming a homeowner is one of the most exciting times in anyone's life. But it's also a big learning curve, and cleaning is one of the first areas where reality hits fast.
Cleaning experts recommend five crucial cleaning habits to adopt and implement immediately when it comes to new home ownership for a sanitized space you can maintain moving forward.
Here, our pros share their top cleaning tips for new homeowners to set the right rhythm, right from the start.
5 cleaning tips for new homeowners
1. Start with a deep clean
One of the most important and useful tips, say our pros, is knowing how to clean a new house before moving in.
As Karina Toner, professional cleaner and operations manager at Spekless, explains, 'Before furniture and boxes are in place, it’s your best (and only) chance to clean every corner – from baseboards to inside cabinets and behind appliances. It gives you a fresh, healthy foundation to build your new routines on.' This is particularly important when cleaning a neglected house.
Will Cotter, cleaning expert and founder of DeluxeMaid, agrees, having moved house three weeks ago. 'I made it a priority to visit the house before move-in day to clean and measure everything,' he says. 'Not only did I deep clean the bathrooms and kitchen, but I also measured walls, windows, and closets. That helped me figure out where furniture would go and what wouldn’t fit.' If you're not sure how to read a tape measure, such as the Komelon Tape available at Amazon, our expert-led guide makes it simple to achieve project success.
In particular, says Carolina Kazimierski, co-owner and president of Sophia's Cleaning Service, don't forget to clean out your dryer vents, which are one of the most common fire risks in your home.
'If you're using a communal washer/dryer, or even if you're using an in-unit dryer in a rental, you might not be aware of the importance of cleaning out your dryer ducts,' she advises. 'But, doing so is essential for keeping your dryer running at its top performance, as well as for preventing house fires.
'Taking care of this is as easy as removing the duct from your dryer to vacuum out lint from the dryer itself as well as from the hose. It's good to know where the duct deposits outside your home as well, and vacuum out that end too,' using your best vacuum.
'Another one would be cleaning wood cabinets and cleaning painted cabinets,' continues Carolina. 'In my experience, new homeowners might not have stayed in the same house or apartment long enough before buying to do this.
'I tend to recommend cleaning cabinets by removing everything inside first, then giving each shelf a thorough wipe-down using your cleaner of choice, or a homemade cleaner like a vinegar spray.'
We recommend the Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner available at Walmart for this.
'Make sure you get all the way to the back corners,' Carolina adds. 'I would suggest doing this maybe once or twice a year. It's also a great opportunity to go through your cabinet items, declutter your spice storage ideas or dried goods, and organize your kitchen cabinets.'
2. Prep a cleaning caddy
Another top tip from Will's recent house move? 'I made a “new house cleaning kit” with gloves, disinfectant, sponges, microfiber cloths, trash bags, paper towels, and even a toilet brush,' he says, to keep all his cleaning supplies and cleaning tools in one neatly organized place.
Using a handy caddy, such as the Casabella Cleaning Storage Caddy with Handle available at Amazon, is a great way to keep these accessible and portable.
'It was the first thing I brought into the house,' he continues. 'Also, don’t forget to bring cabinet liners [such as the bestselling GORILLA GRIP powerGRIP Drawer Shelf and Cabinet Liner available at Amazon]. It’s not a cleaning item, but it’s better to have them handy than trying to arrange your spices and cans, only to realize you need to pause everything and make a store run.'
3. Create a weekly cleaning rhythm early
Next, says Karina, create an achievable cleaning routine and, most importantly, stick to it. This is one of the easiest ways to change up your cleaning routine for the better.
'A small, regular routine prevents buildup and overwhelm later,' she recommends. 'Things like wiping counters daily, vacuuming high-traffic areas twice a week, and a quick weekend bathroom refresh go a long way.'
Using a physical To-Do List, available at Etsy, is a great way to keep on top of your tasks and tick them off once done.
4. Clean as you unpack
Although you will have deep-cleaned your new home before moving in, there will still be some places to clean before moving into a rental, which should be tackled as you unpack, says cleaning expert Will.
'As you open each box, wipe down what was inside before placing anything in drawers or cabinets,' he suggests. The Lysol Disinfectant Wipes available at Amazon are great for this. 'And, assign a zone for the empty boxes to make the cleanup easier after.'
5. Know your surfaces
Finally, says cleaning expert Karina, know your surfaces, and clean them right, whether you're cleaning the bathroom, cleaning the kitchen, or anywhere else.
'Granite, hardwood, stainless steel, and tile all have different needs,' she explains. 'Using the wrong product can dull finishes or cause permanent damage. New homeowners should know what they’re working with and stock safe, effective products.'
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
'Attach these to any power drill for an effortless scrub-down of tubs, tile, floors, and fixtures before move-in,' recommends Karina.
'This quiet robot vacuum handles pet hair, crumbs, and dust so you can stay on top of daily cleaning without lifting a finger,' says Karina. Here at Homes & Gardens we've also tested countless robot vacuums, compiled in our best robot vacuums buying guide.
'Perfect for stone countertops, this spray cleans without streaking or leaving residue, and it’s safe for food prep areas,' says Karina.
Meet our experts
Our moving house checklist makes the whole process smooth and easy, from the moment the move is confirmed all the way up until the day before your move.
You can also prep early by learning what to pack first when moving house.
