Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. If you’re getting ready to sell a house, preparing before a cleaning service or a deep clean makes the whole process faster and easier.
Know What the Company Policy Covers
Find out what the company policy is, since this helps educate you on what kind of services the company provides, what they do, and what they don’t do. Have a game plan by leaving areas open for the cleaner to clean, communicating beforehand which spaces will be free and clear.
Pick Up Before the Cleaner Arrives
Professional Cleaning Before Selling
Picking up the day before is so beneficial because the cleaner is coming there to clean, unless there’s already an agreement that they’ll be doing both. This will save a lot of money and allow the cleaner to focus a lot more on house cleaning. Being available during the scheduled cleaning time, or having great communication if you won’t be home, is also important for a smooth visit.
Repair Dents, Dings, and Touch Up Paint
Walk around every room and repair all of the dents and dings on doors, walls, and trim, using spackle on the walls and trim, and caulk anywhere there are gaps. Once repairs are made, touch up the paint all around the house, including any scuff marks or stains that build up over time. If people come into a house and see that it’s clean with no maintenance work needed, they’re going to be more willing to buy it.
Consider Going Light or White
Painting any dark or bold colored rooms a light or white color takes more time and money than most other tasks, but white paint makes rooms look clean, bigger, and makes the ceilings feel higher. White walls feel like a clean slate for people to imagine their own things in space.
Clean Baseboards, Switches, and Windows
Clean the top and front of baseboards with a wet rag or an all-purpose cleaner safe on paint, since dirty baseboards stand out, especially if the walls look great. Wipe down light switches, door handles, and anywhere on the door that’s looking grungy, along with the windows.
Declutter Closets, Shelves, and Storage
Go through every closet and bookshelf and get rid of anything not being used, separating it into things to donate, sell, or throw away. Overfilled or stuffed closets and bookshelves make people think there isn’t enough space, while extra room signals plenty of space for their own things.
Address Any Smell
Figure out if the house has a smell and start working on getting rid of it, since covering it up with floral scents or candles doesn’t work and people can smell the gross smell underneath. Clean litter boxes daily, wash any furniture or bedding with pet-scent, and address any mold or mildew so no one thinks it will become their problem.
Arrange Furniture and Hide Valuables
Make sure furniture in each room is laid out in a way that makes sense and doesn’t feel cluttered or like the room has run out of space. Hide all valuables or move them to somewhere trusted while selling, and keep personal paperwork out of reach, since a realtor can’t be with everybody looking through the house during open houses.
Deep Clean Room by Room, Top to Bottom
The easiest way to avoid getting overwhelmed when deep cleaning is to tackle it in zones, cleaning a room from top to bottom before moving to the next.
Bathroom
Start with the shower and tub, spraying cleaning products and scrubbing from top to bottom, including windows, blinds, and the mirror, since dust and grime fall downward as you work. Wipe down countertops, and items like toothbrush holders or the showerhead can go in the dishwasher to get clean and disinfected.
Master Bedroom
Start with cobwebs and the ceiling fan, then windows, blinds, and curtains, which can be shaken out or vacuumed, with curtains air-dried rather than put in the dryer to avoid shrinking. Wipe down walls, dresser, and decor, go through drawers while cleaning them out, and finish with rugs in the wash and vacuuming around baseboards and furniture.
Living Room
Wipe down ceiling fans and corners first, then windows, blinds, curtains, and decor, including furniture. Lift couch cushions and vacuum underneath, pulling the couch out if possible to clean the floor and baseboards, and consider renting upholstery cleaners once or twice a year for a fresher couch.
Kitchen
Work from top to bottom, vacuuming dust from ledges, going through the pantry shelf by shelf, and cleaning the floor and baseboards at the bottom. Pull out the refrigerator at least once a year to vacuum and clean underneath, wipe down shelves and condiments, defrost the freezer if possible, and clean the ice maker and water dispenser.