Cleaning a new flat before moving in: what to wash before the furniture arrives

Clean a new flat before moving in while it is still empty. Start by vacuuming dust from the top, then wash the insides of the cupboards and kitchen unit, the oven and fridge, the bathroom and the windows, and leave the floors until the end. Once you have brought in the furniture and boxes, you will be able to reach most of these places only with great effort.

This article deals with a flat you are moving into: one left by a previous tenant, by the owner, or a new one from a developer. If you also need to clean the flat you are leaving, you will find the moving cleaning checklist for your old and new flat useful.

Why clean before the furniture arrives

An empty flat has two advantages. You can see everything that needs washing, and you do not have to move anything. Dust from the upper shelves and frames will also fall onto the floor, which you will wash last, so you never clean anything twice.

The second reason is a practical one: once cupboards are filled with crockery and clothes, nobody washes them out any more. The same goes for the space behind the fridge, under the bath or behind a radiator. If you have at least one day between receiving the keys and moving in, use it for cleaning.

A flat left by a tenant, or a new build?

The procedure is similar; the main difference is the type of dirt.

• A flat left by a previous tenant or owner: grease in the kitchen and on the extractor hood, food residue in the fridge and oven, limescale in the bathroom, hair in the drains, dust behind radiators and furniture, fingerprints on switches and handles.
• A new build or a flat from a developer: fine construction dust everywhere, including inside the cupboards, protective films and stickers on windows and appliances, and residues of silicone, mortar or grout on floor and wall tiles.

If there has recently been demolition, sanding or painting in the flat and a significant amount of construction mess remains, the more detailed post-renovation cleaning procedure is more suitable.

When you take over the flat, first photograph its condition. If you find any damage or a faulty appliance, note it in the handover protocol before you start cleaning.

Equipment and products

• a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment and a narrow crevice tool
• several microfibre cloths (separate ones for the kitchen, bathroom and windows)
• two buckets, a mop and a window squeegee
• a neutral all-purpose cleaner and washing-up liquid
• a degreaser for the kitchen and an acidic limescale remover for the bathroom
• a plastic scraper for stickers and silicone residue
• rubber gloves and, if necessary, a dust mask
• a stepladder and rubbish bags

Order of work step by step

1. Ventilate and take out the rubbish. Open the windows and remove any leftover packaging, leaflets and items left by previous occupants.
2. Vacuum dust from the top. The upper edges of cupboards, door frames, skirting boards, radiators, window sills and ventilation grilles. In a new build, vacuum the insides of the cupboards too, as construction dust settles everywhere.
3. Wash the cupboards and kitchen unit inside. Shelves, drawers, doors on both sides and handles. Leave them open to dry.
4. Clean the appliances. The oven, fridge, dishwasher, extractor hood, microwave and washing machine, if they are staying in the flat.
5. Clean the bathroom and toilet. Tiles, bath or shower, taps, washbasin, mirror, toilet and drains.
6. Wash the windows, frames and window sills. Including the seals and the grooves in the frames.
7. Wipe the doors, switches, handles and sockets. Wipe sockets and switches only with a dry or barely damp cloth, preferably after switching off the relevant circuit breaker. Never spray cleaner on them or use a wet sponge.
8. Floors last. First vacuum thoroughly, then mop from the furthest point towards the door.

Cupboards and kitchen unit

Warm water with a little washing-up liquid is enough for shelves and drawers. In a flat left by a previous tenant, concentrate on crumbs in the corners of drawers, sticky spots by the spices and grease on the doors above the hob, where a degreaser will help.

Do not soak laminated or wooden doors; wipe them with a wrung-out cloth and dry them straight away. In a new build, wipe the bottom of the cupboard under the sink too and check that it is dry under the trap. If you find a leak or damp, note it in the handover protocol and report it to the landlord or developer.

Oven, fridge and other appliances

Appliances are where most of the dirt left by previous occupants hides. Clean the oven according to its type: a pyrolytic one with its programme, catalytic walls with water only, an enamelled interior by hand. You will find details in the article how to clean an oven. If the oven is new, check the manual for how the manufacturer recommends preparing it before first use.

For the fridge, take out the shelves and drawers, wash them separately and wipe the interior. Leave it open before switching it on so that it does not start to smell. For the dishwasher and washing machine, check the filters and seals. Take the grease filter out of the extractor hood and follow its manual.

In a new flat, remove the protective films from appliances and doors. Remove stickers with a plastic scraper; a metal one could scratch the surface.

Bathroom and toilet

Always start with the mirror and tiles, then the washbasin and bath, and the toilet and floor last. A neutral product is enough for ordinary dirt on wall and floor tiles. Acidic cleaners are intended for limescale and mineral deposits. The ceramic tile manufacturer RAKO recommends thoroughly wetting the surface and joints with clean water before using an acidic product, and first testing the suitability of special products in an inconspicuous spot.

In a new build, a grey haze left after grouting often appears on floor tiles. It is removed with a product designated by the tile or grout manufacturer, not with an ordinary cleaner. In a flat left by a previous tenant, spend time on the drains; hair and deposits in the trap are often a source of odours.

Windows, frames and window sills

Wash the windows only after vacuuming and after the kitchen, otherwise dust will settle on them again. First vacuum the grooves in the frames, then wash the frames and window sills, and the glass last. On the plastic frames of a new build, remove any remaining protective film as soon as possible after handover. Follow the window manufacturer's instructions. The article how to wash windows without streaks describes how to get streak-free glass.

Floors last

First vacuum the floor carefully, especially in a new build, where fine dust and sand under the mop could needlessly scratch the surface. Only then mop. For laminate, Quick-Step recommends vacuuming and mopping only with a dampened mop, along the boards, and not using products with abrasive particles or disposable wet wipes. For wood, vinyl and tiles, follow the instructions of the particular floor manufacturer.

In a new build, it is better to mop twice: the first time to wipe off the dust, the second time with clean water and a small amount of cleaning product. Rinse the mop regularly in clean water, otherwise you will only spread the dust.

Ventilation and chemical safety

According to the US EPA, new floors, carpets and furniture made of pressed wood may continuously release pollutants into the air, and with poor ventilation their concentration in a room increases. For this reason, ventilate often and fully while cleaning and in the first days after moving in.

Disinfecting all surfaces is not necessary. According to the CDC, cleaning alone removes most harmful viruses and bacteria from surfaces. If you do use a disinfectant, for example in the toilet, the following applies:

• read the label and follow the instructions,
• wear gloves and work with a window open,
• test every new product in a hidden spot,
• never mix products containing chlorine with acidic cleaners or ammonia. The Toxicology Information Centre warns that with toilet and sanitary ceramic cleaners, mixing may release chlorine gas.

When to book cleaning

If you have little time before moving, you can order the cleaning of the empty flat. Úklid 1-2-3 offers moving cleaning, including for the flat you are moving into. You will find the scope and an indicative price by flat size on the page how much does flat cleaning cost in Prague.