Checklist for Cleaning Your House Before Selling

Every homeowner knows that you must clean your house thoroughly before listing your home. Stains, odors, grime, and even dust buildup can put a negative spin on an otherwise sellable home. And while it may seem like a daunting task, we’ve compiled a handy checklist that helps you focus on the essential things to clean and why it’s so important to present a sparkling clean home to potential buyers.

Do You Really Need to Clean Your Home to Increase its Sales Value?

Considering that homes sell for higher prices when they’re clean, yes, you do need to clean your home before it’s listed. Homes that are staged, including decluttering and deep cleaning, according to the National Association of Realtors, helps around 29% of listed homes receive offers that are 1% – 10% higher than unstaged homes. They’ve also reported that these homes also spend less time on the market.

Reports from the U.S. Census Bureau also state that when homes are well-maintained, in good, presentable condition, they sell quicker. 

These important facts back up the claims that real estate agents have always known; buyers gravitate toward cleaner, well-maintained homes versus homes that need extensive cleaning or repairs.

Preparing Your Home for a Deep Cleaning

Decluttering and depersonalizing are two of the most important things you can do before setting out to deep clean. Taking a clear, unbiased look at the interior and exterior of your home can make a world of difference in its appearance. 

What may seem normal to you could put off potential buyers, especially when they see clutter or extra items filling up living spaces. It’s important to make rooms look larger and more open so buyers can imagine their own furnishings in those spaces. Closets, pantries, garages, and cabinets all get opened during buyer showings, so it’s best to declutter these small but important spaces.

Declutter

• Remove and store extra furniture to increase visual space in family spaces
• Clean out closets, donate or throw away unused clothing and shoes
• Remove nonessential items from countertops to make them look more functional
• Garages and storage areas need to be cleared out and minimized
• Desks and shelves need to be cleared of paperwork, cords, and other nonessentials
• Store garden tools, lawnmowers, and other outdoor objects
• Rake and bag leaves and clear out weeds

Depersonalize

• Family photos should be taken down and put away so buyers can visualize themselves living there
• Expensive collectibles should be stored and locked
• Paint brightly colored rooms in neutral colors
• Tone down bright or eye-catching artwork and decor
• Take down any personalized signs or wall hangings

Which Exterior Areas Should be Cleaned Before Listing?

The old saying, “first impressions are lasting impressions” is especially true when it comes to your home. The exterior of your home is the first thing prospective buyers see when they pull up, so it needs to be in tip-top shape.

It’s important to remember that the perceived value of your home is initially based on sight. If a home is neat and clean, it’s assumed that it is well taken care of and maintenance has been kept up with.

Front Porch and Entryway

The front porch and entryway are the ‘grand entrances’ to your home, so keep them clean and freshly painted.

• Clear cobwebs, dust, and debris
• Wash door and frame; repaint if needed for a fresh look
• Replace bulbs in light fixtures and clean glass
• Rinse porch and replace worn doormats

Walkway and Driveway

Cleaned and maintained walkways and driveways are important to potential buyers, so don’t forget to tackle these.

• Repair large chips or cracks in the concrete
• Remove and clean any oil stains
• Sweep and wash away dirt or leaves
• Powerwash concrete if needed to remove stains

Landscaping and Lawn

Many homeowners consider outdoor spaces as important as indoor spaces. Keeping them in top condition helps increase your home’s perceived value.

• Keep the lawn freshly trimmed and mowed
• Trim bushes and plants
• Remove weeds and overgrowth
• Wash and tidy decks, patios, and pool areas

Exterior Windows

Don’t forget the windows since they can accumulate grime and dirt.

• Wash window glass, trim, and sashes
• Remove cobwebs and dead bugs
• Clean window tracks and locks

How to Clean Your Kitchen Before Listing Your Home

The kitchen has always been the heart of the home, and this is especially true when selling. Buyers evaluate the kitchen as the central hub, and if it isn’t up to a high standard, it shapes how they view the rest of the house. 

It’s very easy to overlook food odors that have settled in, grease buildup, stained surfaces, and dusty cabinet doors. Here is a list of tasks to tackle in the kitchen:

• Deep clean countertops
• Disinfect surfaces
• Polish stainless steel appliances and hardware
• Clean inside of microwave and oven
• Clean or replace old stove burners
• Remove any stains on floors
• Degrease stovetop 
• Empty trash cans

How Clean Should Bathrooms Be Before Showings?

Bathrooms should maintain the same standard of cleanliness as the kitchen. Peeling wallpaper, stained bathtubs, soap scum, or mold are all stop signs telling potential buyers that maintenance was not a high property. It’s important to show buyers how well your home has been cared for and change that perception.

• Remove any hard water stains and soap scum
• Repair cracked or missing caulk
• Scrub sinks and tubs
• Disinfect surfaces, including toilet
• Safely remove mold or mildew
• Clean all grout
• Clean all light fixtures and mirrors
• Scrub or mop floors
• Hang fresh, clean towels

What Should You Clean in Living Areas and Bedrooms?

Main living areas and bedrooms are where buyers’ imaginations come to life. There should be ample, clean space to help them envision the home as their own. When these areas are clean and fresh, natural light reflects comfort instead of dust. 

Floors

• Vacuum carpets thoroughly; have them professionally cleaned if needed
• Mop or polish hardwood floors; touch up any areas as needed
• Vacuum along baseboards where pet hair and lint collect
• Wipe down baseboards to erase dust and grime
• Consider having vents professionally cleaned, especially if you have pets

Surfaces

• Wipe down ceiling fans, clean light fixtures, and replace bulbs
• Thoroughly clean blinds
• Clean, vacuum, or remove curtains
• Touch up chipped baseboards and door frames
• Clean interior windows and sashes

Bedrooms

• Put away loose clothes and bedding
• Clean out closets and beneath beds
• Remove wall posters and personal photos
• Replace burnt out lightbulbs in light fixtures
• Repair nail holes and chips in walls

Do You Need to Clean the Garage and Storage Areas?

Yes, clean out all storage areas and garage stalls. These are important elements of the house and will be heavily considered by potential buyers. Spaces like these provide valuable storage for homeowners and are always an important factor in buying decisions. As with other areas of the house, if they appear dirty or cluttered, it makes the house feel uncared for.

• Clear out cobwebs, spiders, and other insects
• Remove trash, boxes, and other debris
• Organize shelves and benches
• Clear debris and dirt from around HVAC units and water heaters
• Pull cars out of garage and park down the street during showings

How Do You Get Rid of Odors Before Listing?

Walking into a home with bad smells, like pet odors or old carpets, can quickly kill a sale. The smell of a fresh, clean house can go a long way with potential buyers, and there are several things you can do to achieve this.

• Replace or deep clean carpets and rugs
• Wash pet bedding or remove it entirely during showings
• Freshen trash cans with odor eliminators
• Remove cat litter boxes during showings
• Don’t use strong candles or deodorizers to mask smells
• Ventilate main areas with open windows before showings
• Bake cookies before showings for a ‘homey’ scent

What Minor Repairs Should You Fix While Cleaning?

Tackling simple repairs during deep cleaning is the best way to get them out of the way. As homeowners, it’s easy to overlook small nicks or bits of damage in your home, but a potential buyer will notice these things quickly. The more they spot minor damage, the more doubts a buyer will have about the home. 

Smaller repairs are usually rather inexpensive and easy to accomplish. If you aren’t much of a DIY person, then hiring a local handyman is quick and relatively inexpensive. If you choose to make repairs yourself, here are the ones that buyers notice the most:

• Tighten door hinges and secure loose stair or porch railings
• Repair or replace dripping sink or shower faucets, including outside faucets
• Repair or replace cracked floor or wall tiles
• Tighten or replace door knobs, cabinet handles, or drawer pulls
• Touch up or repaint scuffed walls and doors
• Balance ceiling fans to avoid wobble or rattles
• Replace discolored or cracked light switch covers and outlet covers
• Repair or replace worn or torn carpet
• Repair or replace broken light fixtures
• Repair or replace split or warped doors
• Repair or replace broken window panes and frames

Should You Have Your House Professionally Cleaned?

Having your home professionally cleaned can be worth the cost when you are short on time or need a deeper clean for your home. Carpets, in particular, benefit from professional cleaning to remove deep stains and odors. 

There are several services that can assist with your listing preparation. Professional window washers, power washers, or home cleaners can make a big difference in prepping your home to sell. 

If time is money or you have a short timeline to prepare your home, then having your home professionally cleaned can get it looking its best in the shortest amount of time.

Additional Considerations

It’s extremely important to clear out any medications in the home or lock them up for showings. And don’t forget to remove or lock up any weapons, especially firearms. 

Personal papers such as bank statements, birth certificates, or other important documents should also be locked away or removed from the home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Your Home Before Selling

Many homeowners have questions about preparing their home for showings. The following answers highlight the most important areas to address.

1. How clean does a house need to be before selling?

A house needs to be extremely clean before selling. If it doesn’t appear ‘move-in ready’, buyers may move on to another home. 

2. What rooms matter most when cleaning before selling?

The rooms that matter most when cleaning are the kitchen and bathrooms. Of course, the entire home needs to be in top shape to reflect that it has been well cared for.

3. How do I eliminate pet odors before listing my home?

Eliminating pet odors before listing your home can be a job in itself, especially if odors are embedded into carpets. For especially strong odors, you may need to replace certain carpets. Easier fixes are to remove pet crates, bedding, and litter boxes during showings. 

4. Do buyers notice small cleaning issues?

Buyers do notice small cleaning issues, with some standing out more than others. Stained grout, spotty carpet, dirty baseboards, or grimy kitchen appliances can cause misgivings about the overall condition of the home.

5. Should I clean if I am selling As-Is?

If you are selling your home in As-Is condition, it’s still recommended to perform a thorough cleaning. A clean home will get more offers than a dirty one.

6. How long before listing should I deep clean?

Initially, you will want to clean before any photography or showings. It’s especially important to keep it clean in between showings to lessen your cleaning workload.

7. Is power washing necessary before selling?

Power washing isn’t always necessary before selling your home, but if you have stained or dirty driveways and walkways you will want to present your home in the best light.

8. What cleaning tasks offer the biggest return before selling?

The cleaning tasks that offer the biggest return always include the exterior, kitchen, windows, floors, bathrooms, and entryway.

Getting Your House Clean for Showings

First impressions are everything when it comes to attracting buyers, and that initial impression should carry through for the entire showing. Fresh smells, gleaming appliances, shiny floors, and uncluttered spaces go a long way in bringing in offers from buyers. However, if you want to steer clear of the effort it takes to really deep clean and repair a home for sale, you can always look to cash home buying companies. House Buyers of America purchases homes As-Is, no cleaning or repairs required.