5 places you should always clean when moving into a rental

No matter what type of home you are moving into, you should always consider a good deep clean to refresh the space and truly make it yours.

However, this is more true for a rental property that may have gone through a lot of tenants in quicker succession – and where you can’t change out fixtures and fittings and remove their dirt with them.

Here, professional cleaners have revealed the five places you should always clean when moving into a rental, offering their cleaning tips to help you scrub away the remaining dirt and make the space feel more like your home, however temporarily.

5 places you should always clean when moving into a rental

Cleaning is one of the easiest tricks to making a rental feel more like home. It helps to refresh musty odors and remove dirt so you feel more comfortable in the space.

Much like cleaning a new home before moving in, it is a good idea to give everything a deep clean before you move your stuff in, starting with these five vital places first for peace of mind.

1. Anything made of fabric

This is a big category, but everything made from fabric – be it cleaning upholstery or deep cleaning carpets, is a must when moving into a rental begins Seamus Nally, CEO of TurboTenant.

He explains, ‘Any fabric or fibrous material already in the unit needs close attention. For example, any carpet, curtains, towels, cushion covers, etc. These kinds of items can look clean without actually being clean, so it’s worth the effort to clean them well when you move in.’

If you can, hire a carpet and upholstery cleaning machine that can shampoo soft furnishings and suck the dirt out of them. This is a great way to remove odors from upholstery, too, so you feel more at home lounging on existing sofas or carpets. If you can’t hire a machine, the best steam cleaner is a more affordable and easy-to-store option that will help to kill bacteria in your property. There are over 20 things you can clean with a steamer, so it is a great investment.

2. Deep clean the bathroom

Carolina Kazimierski, co-owner and president of Sophia’s Cleaning Service says, ‘Personally, I always recommend cleaning a bathroom once you move in, even if it's been cleaned after a past tenant.

‘I'm picky about bathroom cleanliness and hygiene, so I like to make sure things are up to my standards versus trusting someone else's in an area with as much bacteria potential as a bathroom.

‘I'd also recommend cleaning out any out-of-the-way areas like cleaning fan blades, hard-to-reach cabinets, etc. You'll likely find some built-up dust or grime here, too.’

3. The kitchen

Katie Lambert, cleaning expert and owner of Clean Queen House Cleaning adds, ‘After the bathroom, the kitchen’s another area to focus on because you will, eventually, have to stop ordering takeout for every meal.’

When cleaning a kitchen, work from top to bottom, starting with the tops of wall cabinets, then any shelves and cleaning range hoods, before cleaning the counters, lower cabinets, and cleaning the kitchen sink (not forgetting to clean the kitchen sink drain), and finishing with the floors. This ensures that any dust or dirt you knock down doesn't land on a freshly cleaned surface, reducing duplicate efforts.

Katie adds that you should also pay attention to the doorframes, handles, and light switches to fully sanitize the space. If you bought a steam cleaner to sanitize your soft furnishings, now is a great time to clean an oven without chemicals, too.

4. Baseboards

It might not seem like an important spot, but baseboards are a magnet for dust, hair, and grease – all of which can contribute to musty odors. Cleaning baseboards is a quick, low-effort way to instantly refresh your new home.

Seamus Nally of TurboTenant suggests, ‘Something else to clean well is all of your baseboards. Baseboards are a commonly neglected area to clean for lots of people, and it’s easier to clean them before you’ve moved in all of your furniture.’

5. The closet

Justin Carpenter, cleaning expert and owner of Jacksonville Maids says, ‘One place many people overlook when moving into a rental is cleaning a clothes closet.

‘Closets are often neglected, yet they can harbor a variety of contaminants. From dust and mold to allergens and bacteria, the closet tends to accumulate dirt and germs that can affect your health and comfort. Be sure to clean this area thoroughly to ensure a fresh and healthy living space.’

Always clean and vacuum the closet space before unpacking your clothes and working out your closet organization ideas, using scented cleaning products such as Method’s French Lavender Multi-Purpose Spray, from Walmart, to remove musty odors and keep laundry smelling nice beyond laundry day.

Moving home is one of the most stressful times of anyone’s life – even when moving between rentals. To make it easier, Katie Lambert, a cleaning expert, suggests making a pre-moving cleaning checklist before the move itself to help you keep track and avoid cleaning when you feel overwhelmed.

She says, ‘Your move-in checklist is your detailed record of what needs cleaning vs. what’s been cleaned. The idea is to cross everything on the list to ensure all corners of your home have been wiped clean and ready for occupancy. You can use this comprehensive move-in checklist to get started. Alternatively, you can personalize your approach by creating a to-clean list under each room.’