How to Clean a New Condo Before Moving In
Many Toronto buyers assume a brand-new condo is clean on handover day — it isn't. Construction dust settles on every surface during building, appliances are installed with packaging residue, and cabinets and drawers need cleaning before you put food or dishes in them. Here's what to address before unpacking.
What's on New Surfaces
- Construction dust: Fine gypsum and drywall dust on shelves, inside cabinets, windowsills, and in closets
- Appliance residue: Protective film on appliances, interior of ovens and fridges with manufacturing residue
- Cabinet interiors: Sawdust and manufacturing debris inside drawers and cabinets
- Grout haze: Film of dried grout on new tile surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms
- Glass cleaner residue: Streaks from post-install glass cleaning
- Floor finish: Sometimes a residue or slight stickiness from hardwood floor sealant
Kitchen
- Remove and wash all cabinet shelves if removable. Wipe all interior surfaces with a damp cloth.
- Remove protective film from appliances — especially the inside of the oven, fridge drawers, and dishwasher door
- Run the oven at 400°F for 30 minutes empty — this burns off manufacturing residue that otherwise smokes on first use
- Run the dishwasher empty on the hottest cycle once before using it for dishes
- Wipe inside the fridge before loading groceries
- Clean the range hood filter — often arrives with packaging debris inside
Bathrooms
- Wipe down all surfaces — counters, shelves, toilet exterior — with a damp cloth to remove construction dust
- Clean new tile grout haze: use a grout haze remover appropriate for your tile type, or a diluted white vinegar solution on ceramic tile (not on natural stone)
- Run water through all faucets and shower for 2–3 minutes to flush construction sediment from water lines
- Remove any stickers or labels from fixtures
All Rooms
- Wipe all windowsills and window tracks — these collect construction dust heavily
- Wipe inside all closets and storage spaces
- Clean all light switch and outlet plates — these often have tape residue or fingerprints from installation
- Vacuum and mop all floors before bringing in rugs and furniture — once furniture is in, floor edges and under-furniture areas won't be cleaned again for a long time
- Wipe balcony railing and floor if applicable
HVAC
Change or clean the HVAC filter on day one — it's been accumulating construction dust throughout the building process. Running the fan on the first night with a fresh filter removes residual airborne dust from the unit efficiently.
Short on time before move-in day? Maidless offers move-in cleans for new condos across Toronto. Book at maidless.ca — flat-rate, 4.9★ rated.