Moving into a new home or rental should feel like a fresh start — but unless you know the previous occupants personally, you can't be certain of the cleaning standard they left behind. Even properties that look clean on inspection often have hidden grime in appliances, inside cupboards, and behind fixtures.
Cleaning before you unpack is always easier than cleaning around furniture and boxes. Here's what to focus on and in what order.
Start Here: The Priority Areas
These are the areas most likely to be poorly cleaned by previous tenants — and the ones that directly affect your health and hygiene.
🍳 Kitchen — Highest Priority
- Inside the oven — baked-on grease from previous occupants is extremely common; use oven cleaner spray and soak the racks
- Rangehood and filter — soaked in grease; remove the filter and soak in hot soapy water
- Inside the fridge — wipe down all shelves and drawers with a diluted white vinegar solution before loading food
- Inside all cupboards and drawers — wipe with an antibacterial spray before lining with shelf paper
- Behind and underneath appliances — move the fridge and oven to clean dust and debris
- Dishwasher — run an empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner tablet
🚿 Bathrooms — Second Priority
- Scrub the toilet thoroughly — under the rim, the seat, the base, and behind the cistern
- Clean the shower including tiles, grout, screen, and drain (remove hair from the trap)
- Descale taps, showerhead, and any chrome fittings
- Wipe down the vanity inside and out — pay attention to the underside of shelves
- Replace the toilet seat if you have any concerns — they're inexpensive and easy to swap
- Check the shower drain seal and exhaust fan for mould
Bedrooms & Wardrobes
Wardrobes are often neglected in outgoing cleans. Wipe down all shelves, rails, and drawer interiors with an antibacterial spray before putting any of your belongings in. Check for signs of mould, especially in the back corners of built-in wardrobes — these can be damp spots in older buildings.
If carpet was present during the previous tenancy, consider having it professionally steam cleaned before you move your furniture in. This is far easier to arrange before the room is furnished.
Living Areas & Windows
- Dust all surfaces, light fittings, and ceiling fan blades
- Clean all windows inside — check for paint marks or residue from window furnishings
- Wipe window sills, tracks, and frames — these collect significant dust
- Clean fly screens if present
- Wipe down skirting boards and door frames throughout
Floors
Clean floors last, after all other surfaces have been wiped down. For hard floors, vacuum first then mop with an appropriate cleaner for the floor type. For carpet, vacuum thoroughly and treat any visible stains before furniture goes down.
Don't Forget These
- Air conditioning filters — remove and wash before using the system
- Light switches and power points — wipe with a slightly damp cloth
- Front door and entry — often overlooked but touched constantly
- Laundry — clean inside the washing machine drum and wipe down all surfaces before your first load
- Under the kitchen sink — check for signs of leaks and wipe the cabinet interior
- Exhaust fans — remove covers and clean dust buildup
What to Do If the Property Isn't Clean Enough
In NSW, landlords are required to provide a property in a reasonably clean condition at the start of a tenancy. If you move in and find it hasn't been professionally cleaned, document everything in your Entry Condition Report and notify your property manager in writing as soon as possible.
You can request that the landlord arrange cleaning before or shortly after your move-in date, or negotiate a rent reduction for the first week. Keep all communication in writing.
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