Real Estate Cleaning Checklist: How to Clean a House For Sale

Cleaning before an open house can significantly affect your home’s appeal to potential buyers, helping them picture a future in the space without any distractions getting in the way. Not only will a thorough approach to cleaning make your space look more inviting, but it can even increase the odds of a sale. By following the top cleaning tips, you can help your open house stand out.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Overview of Cleaning a House For Sale

• Deep cleaning high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms, as well as dusting light fixtures, can improve first impressions.
• Decluttering is essential for creating a spacious environment that helps buyers visualize themselves in the home.
• Keeping on top of cleaning between showings is essential for a lower-stress sale.
• Final touches like fresh flowers and tidy arrangements help make a home more appealing.

Declutter All the Rooms

First things first, focus on addressing clutter ahead of your open house. Nothing turns off potential buyers faster than a home overflowing with personal items and unnecessary knick-knacks, and clearing clutter will help buyers envision how they would arrange their belongings in the space.

Remove as much as you can from the home entirely. If you sell after you buy, you can move just about everything except what you need for staging. If you’re buying after you sell, it can be a good idea to rent personal storage space. Even if you have small closets or just a few upper cabinets, having fewer items in them gives the impression of spaciousness.

Once you’ve emptied what you can, create a house-cleaning checklist to keep track of your progress in each room. This might seem daunting at first, but breaking the problem down into smaller areas can make the process feel more manageable—and the results will be worth it.

Begin by removing all personal photos and mementos. While these items are precious to you, they can hinder buyers from visualizing the home as their own. You might even consider keeping these items in a storage unit temporarily. This step will make your house ready for prospective buyers and help them see the space as a blank canvas for their own lives.

Next, if you have any pets, keep pet items out of sight and address any pet damage or odours they might leave behind. Potential buyers might not be pet lovers, so it’s important to make your home appealing to everyone. Taking care of pet-related items and smells ensures a cleaner, more neutral environment. Showings can also be stressful for pets, so if you can house them with a friend or boarding service, that may be for the best.

Lastly, take a good look at your home’s storage areas. Small rooms like closets and storage units should be organized and free of excess items. This not only helps in making these spaces look bigger but also shows buyers that the house has ample storage.

House Decluttering Checklist

• Trash (old receipts, expired spices, dried-out pens, etc.)
• Items you haven’t used in the past six months
• Items you won’t use in the next month
• Two-thirds of items in storage spaces (closets, pantry, under the sink, etc.)
• Items you plan to donate, gift, or sell
• Excess furniture
• Personal items
• Pet-related items

Deep Clean High-Traffic Areas

Buyers will scrutinize things that you barely notice anymore, so not doing a deep clean can be a major seller mistake. Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to deep clean those high-traffic areas. Kitchens and bathrooms are the heart of every home, so they demand special attention. Thoroughly cleaning these high-profile areas will be essential for making a positive impression on potential buyers.

Starting in the kitchen, scrub the sink with warm soapy water, then sanitize and disinfect. Ovens often need a thorough cleaning, so use either the self-cleaning mode or baking soda to tackle tough grime. Remember to clean the dishwasher by running a cycle with white vinegar and baking soda to keep it in top shape.

Focus on the bathroom next, especially the shower curtain and shower heads. Shower curtains can usually be cleaned in a washing machine, making maintenance easy with the right cleaning supplies, but be sure to check the label. Shower heads, meanwhile, can be descaled using a white vinegar and water solution. While you’re in the bathroom, it might also be worth applying a baking soda and vinegar mixture to grout to lift stains and improve cleanliness.

Finally, don’t overlook your kitchen cabinets. Try vacuuming out the interiors before wiping down surfaces to ensure that they’re spotless. The outsides can collect grease, especially near the stovetop.

House Deep Cleaning Checklist

A few places that often get overlooked in our day-to-day lives that make a big difference in a showing:

• Sanitize door knobs, light switches, toilet levers, handles, and other high-touch areas
• Scrub tile grout and replace worn caulking
• Clean windows inside and out (plus windowsills and frames)
• Wash walls (they do collect oils and smells like smoke) and baseboards
• Wash front door and frame
• Clean the inside of appliances (oven, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, etc.)
• Clean out drains and gutters
• Shampoo rugs/carpets
• Clean patio furniture

Polish Light Fixtures and Light Bulbs

Bright and shiny light fixtures can elevate the look of any room. Before the open house, use a soft cloth with a mild detergent or glass cleaner to clean glass shades without causing damage. Polishing wood or metal light fixtures with lemon oil can help maintain their shine and prevent tarnishing.

Don’t forget about the light bulbs—they can brighten up the mood. Take stock of your light fixtures to replace any burnt-out light bulbs, especially in lesser-used rooms or spaces you might have overlooked.

While this might seem like a small detail, clean light fixtures and functioning bulbs make a room look inviting and well-maintained, leaving a positive impression on buyers.

Tidy Up the Floors & Wall Tiles

Floors are one of the most noticeable elements in a home, so keeping them in pristine condition is important. For carpets, placing a damp paper towel or washcloth over baking soda can help tackle stains if you let it sit for at least a few hours—or longer if it’s a greasy stain—before vacuuming. Steam cleaners are another effective option if you prefer to avoid using chemicals.

For tile floors and walls, using a solution of equal parts dish soap and white vinegar can work wonders. Just be sure to thoroughly rinse off the tiles with water after you’re done, as the vinegar can impact the finish.

Tidy floors create a polished and inviting look, impressing potential buyers and making your home stand out during an open house. Additionally, using doormats and removing shoes at the entrance can significantly help keep floors cleaner.

Freshen Up the Furniture

Upholstered furniture can harbour odours and stains, but a little effort will go a long way toward making it look—and smell—fresh again. Baking soda can act as a natural deodorizer by absorbing odours, making it ideal for freshening up fabric sofas. That said, make sure to consult the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to determine the safest, most effective method.

If you prefer to take the baking soda approach, sprinkle some on the upholstery, let it sit for at least 20 minutes, and then vacuum it off to remove trapped odours. You might also consider airing out your couch, but remember that exposure to direct sunlight can run the risk of fading.

After freshening up your furniture, don’t forget to fluff and arrange throw pillows to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Clean Windows and Mirrors

Spotless windows and mirrors can brighten up your home and create a cheery atmosphere. A DIY cleaner made from equal parts vinegar and distilled water is effective for cleaning mirrors without streaks. For windows, white vinegar is recommended to effectively remove dirt and grime.

When cleaning mirrors before your open house, use an S-pattern motion rather than circular motions to avoid streaks. Additionally, spraying the cleaning solution on the microfiber cloth instead of directly on the mirror helps prevent possible damage to the mirror’s backing.

To dry windows after cleaning, you should ideally use a squeegee, but a dry newspaper can also prove effective if you’re in a pinch.

Keeping a House Clean for Showings

Once your home has been deep cleaned for showings, maintaining its fresh appearance requires some simple daily tasks. Start by making sure all beds are made, and personal items like clothing and shoes are tucked away. Wipe down kitchen countertops and sinks after every use to keep surfaces sparkling, and ensure dirty dishes are washed or put in the dishwasher. In the bathrooms, quickly wipe mirrors, faucets, and countertops to remove water spots. Vacuum or sweep high-traffic areas to keep floors looking fresh.

It’s going to take a lot of work if you’re showing a house while still living in it, but the cleaner your house stays, the faster it’s likely to sell, and the less time you’ll have to keep up the cleaning.

Daily Cleaning Tasks During Home Showings

• Do a load of laundry each day so you never have a hamper waiting
• Clean dishes as you use them (or ensure they’re always put in the dishwasher)
• Keep on top of cleaning up after pets and children
• Dust, vacuum, mop, etc. once a week

Last-Minute Showing Cleaning Checklist

• Clear all counters and wipe them clean
• Put away toys
• Empty all trash cans
• Make all beds
• Close toilet lids
• Fix pillows on beds, couches, etc.
• Secure valuables
• Clear shoes, coats, etc. from entryway
• Sweep debris from driveway, porch, deck, etc.
• Remove pet items (preferably take them with you)
• Check house temperature
• Check for unappealing odours
• Turn on all lights
• Open all curtains and blinds
• Do a last-minute walkthrough
• If you can’t deal with something in time (dishes, clutter, etc.), put it in a basket and take it with you

Make Stainless Steel Appliances Sparkle

Stainless steel appliances can give your kitchen a sleek, modern look, but they need to be spotless to make the right impression.

Whether used alone or with white vinegar, olive oil can be a fantastic tool for removing fingerprints and maintaining a gleaming finish on stainless steel appliances. Simply apply a small amount to a soft cloth and wipe down the surfaces to reveal a sparkling shine.

Keeping major appliances clean and shiny enhances the overall look of your kitchen, making one of the most attention-grabbing areas of the home that much more appealing to buyers.

Empty Trash Bins and Add Fresh Scents

A home that smells fresh is bound to feel more inviting. Regularly replacing trash bags and cleaning bins reduces odours and maintains a pleasant atmosphere. Adding essential oils to the bottom of trash bins before lining them with a bag can also help mask unpleasant odours. Don’t forget to sanitize the bin during your initial deep cleaning.

Using natural ingredients like lemon and citrus peels can effectively reduce odours and enhance the fragrance of different areas in your home without relying on artificial products. A clean, pleasantly scented home creates a welcoming environment for potential buyers, making it more appealing during open houses.

However, don’t overdo it with the scents. Strong scents can make buyers think you’re trying to cover up an unpleasant odour they’ll have to deal with.

Final Touches Before Showings

As you prepare for your open house, remember that final touches can make a big difference. For instance, neatly arranging the dining chairs can greatly improve the visual appeal of the dining area. You can also spend a few moments opening curtains to allow in plenty of natural sunlight and fluffing and arranging throw pillows to create a more comfortable atmosphere. A lot of this overlaps with minor home staging.

A fresh coat of paint on the front door can also improve first impressions during an open house. Similarly, fresh flowers or fruits add visual appeal and instill a more inviting scent in the home.

While these might seem like minor details, little touches can create a lasting impression on potential buyers, increasing the chances of a successful sale.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Show Your Home in the Best Possible Light

Preparing your home for an open house involves more than just a quick tidy-up. From decluttering all the rooms to deep cleaning high-traffic areas and adding those final touches, each step plays a crucial role in creating a welcoming and appealing environment for buyers. Following the top cleaning tips can help you showcase your home in the best possible light, so roll up your sleeves, grab your cleaning supplies, and get ready to make your home shine!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is decluttering important for an open house?

Decluttering is crucial for an open house because it allows potential buyers to see themselves in the space, making it feel more inviting and spacious. An organized environment can significantly enhance their overall impression of your home.

What are some effective methods for cleaning kitchen appliances?

To effectively clean your kitchen appliances, use warm soapy water for the sink, a baking soda paste for the oven, and run a vinegar and baking soda cycle in the dishwasher. To make your stainless steel appliances sparkle, try using olive oil to wipe away fingerprints and achieve a shiny finish.

What are some tips for cleaning mirrors without streaks?

For streak-free mirrors, mix equal parts vinegar and water, clean using an S-pattern, and then dry with newspaper. This simple method works wonders!

How can I add fresh scents to my home for an open house?

To create a welcoming atmosphere for your open house, regularly replace trash bags and use essential oils or natural ingredients like lemon peels to freshen up different areas of your home. Avoid using overly potent air fresheners or scents that may be offputting to homebuyers.