Move-in cleaning checklist: what to clean before you unpack
3 October 2026 · 5 min read
A new house rarely feels like yours until it has been cleaned top to bottom. Here is the checklist we use on move-in cleans across Birmingham, so you know what to tackle before the boxes go in.
Kitchen (start here)
- Inside the oven, fridge, freezer and microwave
- Cupboards and drawers, including handles
- Sink and taps descaled
- Skirtings and floor edges
- Bin cupboard
Bathrooms
- Limescale from taps, shower screen and toilet
- Grout and sealant mould
- Behind the toilet and under the bath panel if accessible
- Extractor fan cover
Living areas and bedrooms
- Inside wardrobes and drawers
- Window sills, frames and internal glass
- Light switches, door handles and skirtings
- Carpet edges and under beds
Often forgotten spots
- Light fittings and lampshades
- Tops of kitchen cupboards and the fridge
- Behind the washing machine and under the sink
- Letterbox, keyholes and door frames
Should you do it yourself or book a move-in clean?
- A move-in clean for a 2 to 3 bed house typically takes 4 to 6 hours
- Professional move-in cleaning in Birmingham starts around £180
- Preshine can book it for the day you get the keys
Want it done for you?
Preshine cleans homes and offices across Birmingham from £20/hr, insured, DBS-checked, with a 24h re-clean promise.
Book a clean