Move In Cleaning Checklist: What to Clean Before You Unpack
By Cleaning Near Me team ·
Short answer: a move in cleaning checklist covers the jobs that are easiest while the home is empty: inside every cupboard and wardrobe, the oven and rangehood, bathrooms, skirting boards, window tracks and floors. Do it after you get the keys and before furniture arrives. Renting in Victoria? Photograph any dirt first, because it belongs on your condition report.
Why clean before moving in?
An empty home is the easiest it will ever be to clean. Once beds, couches and boxes are in, the back of cupboards, the floor under the fridge and the corners behind furniture are out of reach for years.
Even a home that was “cleaned” can hide dust in drawers, grease on the rangehood and soap scum in the shower. You’re also about to put food, dishes and clothes into surfaces someone else used. A move in clean means you do the hard part once.
What should you do before you start cleaning?
Record the property’s condition first, then clean. If you’re renting, this order protects your bond.
- Walk through with your condition report. Compare each room with what the rental provider or agent wrote.
- Photograph everything. Take date-stamped photos of dirty ovens, mould, stains, marks and damage before you touch them.
- Note anything you disagree with. Add comments to the report and return your copy. Consumer Affairs Victoria’s condition report guide explains the deadline for returning it.
- Check the basics work. Run taps, flush toilets, turn on the oven, rangehood and heating, and test the smoke alarms.
- Then clean. If you clean first, there’s no record of how the property was handed to you.
Those photos matter again at the end of your lease. Your ingoing condition report is the baseline the agent uses at the final inspection, as our guide to getting your full bond back explains.
Move in cleaning checklist, room by room
Work top to bottom in each room: ceilings and light fittings first, floors last. That way the dust you knock down gets picked up at the end.
Kitchen
- Inside every cupboard and drawer: vacuum crumbs, then wipe
- Oven, oven racks, grill and stovetop
- Rangehood surface and filters
- Inside the dishwasher; clear the filter
- Fridge space: floor and walls where the fridge will stand
- Benchtops, splashback and sink, then sanitise food surfaces
- Pantry shelves, before any food goes in
Bathrooms and laundry
- Shower screen, tiles and grout
- Toilet, including the base, behind it and under the seat hinges
- Vanity, inside cabinets, mirror and taps
- Exhaust fan cover
- Floor waste and drain grates
- Laundry tub, inside cupboards and behind the space for the washer
Bedrooms and living areas
- Inside wardrobes: shelves, hanging rails and tracks
- Light switches, power points, door handles
- Skirting boards and door frames
- Window sills, tracks and blinds
- Air-conditioner and heating vent covers
- Carpets vacuumed, hard floors mopped
Outside and storage
- Front door, porch and letterbox
- Balcony or courtyard swept
- Garage and shed floors cleared of anything left behind
Which jobs matter most on a move in clean?
Some jobs take minutes now but are much harder after you move in. Prioritise these if you’re short of time.
| Job | Why it matters now | Hard to do later because |
|---|---|---|
| Inside cupboards and wardrobes | Your food, dishes and clothes go straight in | They’ll be full for the rest of your stay |
| Oven and rangehood | Old grease smokes and smells when you cook | You’ll be using them every day |
| Floor under the fridge and washer space | Crumbs and dust build up where no one looks | Appliances are heavy to move once in place |
| Carpets | Dust, hair and stains from previous occupants | Furniture sits on them |
| Window tracks and sills | Dust and dead insects collect here | Curtains and furniture block access |
| Bathroom grout and exhaust fan | Mould grows fastest in damp, closed rooms | You need the bathroom every day |
If the carpets look tired or smell, carpet steam cleaning in Melbourne is easiest to book before furniture goes in, so the carpet can dry without anything sitting on it.
Is the rental provider required to clean before you move in?
Yes. In Victoria, the rental provider must make sure the property is vacant and reasonably clean on the day you’re due to move in. “Reasonably clean” doesn’t mean spotless, so some light dust is normal.
If the property is clearly dirty, don’t quietly clean it and absorb the cost. Take photos, note it on your condition report, and tell the agent in writing straight away. Ask them to arrange a clean. If you can’t agree, Consumer Affairs Victoria’s renting information explains your options and where to get help.
Watch for signs of pests while you clean, such as droppings in kitchen cupboards. Report them early. Our post on cockroaches in your rental explains who is usually responsible in Victoria.
Should you clean it yourself or book a move in clean?
You can do a move in clean yourself with a free day, a vacuum, microfibre cloths, a degreaser and a mop. For a larger home, or when you’re juggling removalists, a professional clean is often the simpler option.
A professional move in cleaning Melbourne service suits:
- New home buyers who get the keys at settlement
- Renters moving into a property that wasn’t professionally cleaned
- New builds with builder’s dust on every surface and in every track
- Families with allergies or young children who want a fresh start
Book it for the gap between collecting the keys and the removalists arriving. Even one day is enough. A morning clean before an afternoon move can also work.
Key takeaways
- A move in cleaning checklist focuses on jobs that are easiest while the home is empty: cupboards, oven, bathrooms, tracks and floors.
- Photograph the property and complete your condition report before you clean.
- Clean top to bottom in each room, and do floors last.
- In Victoria, the rental provider must hand over the property vacant and reasonably clean.
- Book a professional move in clean between key collection and moving day.
FAQs
How long does a move in clean take?
It depends on the size and condition of the home. A small apartment may take a few hours, while a large family home or a new build with builder’s dust can take most of a day. Tell us the property size and condition when you ask for a quote.
Should I clean before or after the removalists arrive?
Before, whenever possible. Once furniture and boxes are in, you can’t reach inside cupboards, under beds or behind appliances. If you only have one day, clean in the morning and have the removalists arrive in the afternoon.
What cleaning products do I need for a move in clean?
The basics are a vacuum with attachments, microfibre cloths, a mop, an all-purpose cleaner, a degreaser for the kitchen and a bathroom cleaner. Add an old toothbrush for tracks and grout. Avoid mixing cleaning products.
Do I need a move in clean for a brand-new home?
Usually, yes. New builds are often left with fine builder’s dust on benches, in cupboards, in window tracks and on floors. A move in clean removes it before it settles into your furniture and soft furnishings.
Get a free move in cleaning quote and we’ll confirm the price with you before anything is booked.
General information only, not legal advice. See Consumer Affairs Victoria for the current rental rules.