Cleaning before you move in — before furniture, boxes, and belongings fill the space — is one of the most practical things you can do in a new home. Everything is accessible, nothing needs to be moved, and you start with a genuinely clean baseline rather than cleaning around your stuff for years. Here's how to approach a thorough pre-move-in clean.
Why Move-In Cleaning Is Worth Doing
Even if the previous occupant left the home in good condition, there's always cleaning left to do. Inside cabinets, behind appliances, grout lines, inside the oven, and the top of the fridge are all areas that rarely get attention during regular cleaning but are accessible before you move in. A thorough pre-move-in clean sets a clean baseline you can maintain with regular service going forward.
Move-In Cleaning Checklist
Start with the Kitchen
- Clean inside all cabinets and drawers before lining them
- Clean inside the oven, including the door glass and bottom of the oven
- Clean inside the refrigerator — all shelves, drawers, door bins, and the door seal
- Clean inside the dishwasher — filter, spray arms, door interior
- Clean the range hood and degrease the underside and filter
- Clean the inside of the microwave
- Clean countertops and backsplash
- Clean the sink and faucet
- Clean inside the cabinet under the sink
- Mop the floor
Bathrooms
- Scrub the toilet bowl, clean the exterior including base and hinges
- Scrub the shower or tub
- Clean the shower glass or curtain
- Clean grout lines
- Clean the vanity, sink, and faucet
- Clean inside all medicine cabinets and vanity drawers
- Wipe baseboards and clean the floor
All Rooms
- Wipe all windowsills and window tracks
- Wipe all baseboards
- Dust all ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Wipe all doors and door frames
- Clean all closet interiors — shelves, floor, rod
- Vacuum or mop all floors
Laundry Room
- Clean the washing machine — run a cleaning cycle (see our washing machine cleaning guide)
- Clean the dryer interior and exterior; clean the lint trap housing
- Wipe down the washer and dryer exteriors
- Clean inside the cabinet above/beside the machines
What's Different for Renters (Ontario RTA Context)
Ontario tenants should document the condition of a rental unit at move-in with photos. This protects you at move-out when the landlord inspects for damage. Take clear photos of every room, every appliance interior, and any existing damage before moving items in.
If the previous tenant's move-out clean was insufficient, you can request the landlord address it before your move-in — your obligation at move-out is to leave the unit in the same condition you received it, so a clean baseline matters.
When to Book a Professional Move-In Clean
A professional pre-move-in clean is one of the most efficient uses of a move-in cleaning service. The home is empty, everything is accessible, and a 2-person professional team can complete a thorough clean in 2–4 hours. Maidless offers move-in and move-out cleaning in Toronto and across the GTA. Book online — HST included.