Selling Your House - A Cleaning Checklist

General Items

  • dust crown molding and baseboards
  • dust ceiling corners
  • dust baseboards and clean scuff marks
  • dust/wash light fixtures and lamps
  • dust ceiling fans
  • wash doors(look for scuff marks)
  • wash walls
  • touch up paint
  • vacuum or wash window curtains
  • wash window blinds
  • clean windowsdust bookcases
  • polish wood furniture
  • wipe down and vacuum furniture (clean the base and under cushions)
  • condition leather furniture
  • remove stains from upholstered furniture
  • vacuum and wash lampshades
  • deep clean hardwood, tile, linoleum, and carpet flooring
  • shampoo carpet (DIY or schedule a professional)
  • remove rugs to shake out, then vacuum, then clean under them
  • vacuum all flooring, including corners and edges
  • clean air vents
  • dust around mirrors, picture frames, and wall hangings
  • replace light bulbs
  • change air/furnace filter
  • schedule chimney sweep

The Kitchen

  • remove anything from the kitchen that doesn’t belong
  • clean and disinfect the trash can
  • clean the microwave
  • deep clean the dishwasher
  • clean and organize the refrigerator
  • clean the oven
  • clean the hood vent and change the filter if needed
  • clean stove top burners
  • clean and disinfect the garbage disposal
  • reorganize kitchen cabinets and drawers
  • clean and organize kitchen drawers
  • straighten cups, mugs, and glass cabinet and eliminate the unnecessary
  • straighten plates, bowls, and other dishes and eliminate the unnecessary
  • organize the pantry
  • clean coffee maker
  • clean small appliances
  • clean high chairs
  • clean the pot rack
  • clean under the sink and eliminate the unnecessary
  • deep clean and polish cabinet doors
  • clean tile and touch up paint on walls
  • deep clean floors
  • disinfect doorknobs, light fixtures, and pulls

The Dining Room

  • eliminate unnecessary items
  • dust crown molding, wall corners, and floor molding
  • scrub walls
  • clean and disinfect light switches and outlets
  • dust and polish wood cabinets
  • dust and clean windows, inside and out
  • clean and declutter hutch cabinets and drawers
  • wash table linens
  • wash table cushions
  • clean light fixtures and wash globes
  • disinfect table and wipe down all chairs, including legs and underneath
  • remove rug, shake, vacuum, and clean floor before replacing the rug

The Bathrooms

  • clean air vents
  • clean and disinfect light switches and fixtures
  • clean and disinfect toothbrush holders
  • clean and refill soap dish and/or pump
  • clean light fixtures and wash globe(s) 
  • clean mirror
  • clean shower caddy
  • clean shower curtain and liner
  • clean shower door frame
  • clean shower glass
  • clean plastic strip at the bottom of a glass shower door
  • disinfect countertops
  • dust and clean windows, inside and out
  • polish faucets
  • mop and hand scrub floors (pay attention to special grout lines, corners, and moldings)
  • scrub and disinfect toilet, including around base, under the seat and around hinges
  • scrub the bathtub and/or shower
  • scrub walls
  • wash bathroom cup
  • wash floor mat
  • wash hand/guess towels
  • wash trash can (inside and out)
  • wipe down cabinets, knobs, towel racks and toilet paper holder
  • remove rust from toilet seat screws
  • tighten toilet seat hinges
  • clean bathroom exhaust fan
  • clean shower head
  • polish wood cabinets
  • caulk around bathtub
  • re-seal tile and grout
  • unclog drains
  • clean, organize, and de-clutter cabinets and drawers
  • clean, organize, and de-clutter bathroom closet

The Laundry/Utility Room

  • clean dryer vent
  • clean inside washing machine
  • dust crown molding, wall corners, and floor molding
  • dust behind and underneath washer and dryer
  • sweep and mop floors
  • reseal tile grout
  • wash walls
  • clean and organize contents on shelving
  • eliminate unnecessary cleaning products
  • install organizers to hold cleaning products
  • disinfect door knobs and light switch plates

The Living Room/Family Areas

  • take anything that doesn’t belong in the room and put it in the correct location
  • dust crown molding, wall corners, and floor molding
  • vacuum and shampoo carpet
  • vacuum under furniture and in between cushions
  • condition leather furniture
  • dust ceiling fans
  • clean lights and wash light globes
  • dust lamps
  • vacuum lamp shades
  • declutter
  • dust and polish furniture and bookshelves
  • dust edges of wall hangings, mirrors, and pictures
  • clean windows and window sills
  • remove scuff marks from doors and moldings
  • disinfect doorknobs and light switch plates
  • dust electronics
  • organize electronics and accessories 

The Bedrooms

  • take anything that doesn’t belong in the bedroom and put it in the correct location
  • dust ceiling, corners, and upper and lower crown moldings
  • dust baseboards and window sills
  • dust and polish furniture
  • dust edges of wall hangings, mirrors, and pictures
  • clean glass and mirrors
  • dust lamps
  • vacuum lamp shades
  • polish wood furniture
  • dust ceiling fan
  • clean light fixtures and light globes
  • organize the closet
  • clean and organized nightstand(s)
  • clean under the bed
  • clean windows and window sills
  • vacuum carpet, including edges and under furniture
  • shampoo carpet
  • remove scuff marks from doors and moldings
  • disinfect doorknobs and light switch plates