9 House Cleaning Tips Before Selling
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Are you getting ready to sell your home? If so, you’ll want to make sure it’s clean and tidy before putting it on the market. These house cleaning tips will help you get your home ready for sale.
Why Your House Needs to Be Clean When Listed for Sale
A clean and well-maintained home is attractive to potential buyers. It makes them feel better about the possibility of living in the home themselves. A well-kept house also gives off a positive vibe, which can lead to more sales.
The first impression is everything when it comes to selling your home, and a dirty house is going to leave a bad impression. Before cleaning, make sure to take care of any major repairs or maintenance issues before you put up your home for sale. This includes things like replacing leaky faucets, fixing cracked windows, and repairing loose tiles in the bathroom.
When you’re trying to sell your home, it’s important to keep all areas of your home clean and organized. You don’t want prospective buyers feeling overwhelmed or confused while they’re looking around your home. If you have clutter everywhere, prospective buyers will think that the house doesn’t offer enough storage space and it will feel small. On the other hand, a clean and clutter-free house will create positive feelings.
If you decide to rent out your house instead of selling it, a good cleaning is also appropriate before new tenants move in (or between tenants). And if you like the idea of generating income from rentals but don’t want to deal with the hassles of being a landlord, read this Ark7 review.
Should You Have Your House Professionally Cleaned Before Selling It?
Hiring professional cleaners is one option, but it’s certainly not necessary. You may want to hire someone to clean for you if you simply don’t have the time to do it yourself. However, it’s possible to do all of the cleaning on your own if you’re looking to save money. Potential buyers aren’t going to know if a home was professionally cleaned or if you did the work yourself.
Checklist for House Cleaning Before Selling
Here are some of the specific things you’ll need to address when cleaning your home before selling it.
1. Declutter
Decluttering is a must when you’re preparing to sell your home. Not only will decluttered rooms look cleaner, but it will also make your home feel larger. As much as possible, remove items from every room in your house or pack up what isn’t currently being used.
In the process of decluttering, you’ll need to organize your rooms and make sure everything has a home. Put away as much as possible in closets or other storage areas that are out of sight.
You may also need to move some things out of the home if the rooms are too crowded. You can rent a storage unit if needed, store some things with family or friends, or sell what you don’t need.
Also, be sure to organize the furniture in an appealing way. When you’re living in a home you may have the furniture arranged for a certain reason. It may be functional for you, but it doesn’t make the space look appealing to potential buyers. Be sure to step back and consider how your furniture is arranged and see if anything needs to be taken out.
2. Dust Everything
Dust every surface in your home. Pay special attention to the light switches, door knobs, handles, baseboards, and other things that are easy to miss. These surfaces tend to accumulate dust very quickly, especially in dusty environments. Look for places where dust tends to build up and give those areas extra attention.
Dusters for Cleaning
3. Vacuum or Sweep the Floors
Be sure to vacuum or sweep all of the floors in your home. This includes hardwood floors, carpets, and tile floors. If you have any areas with rugs, be sure to vacuum those as well. If your carpets are looking a little worn or dirty, you may want to use a carpet cleaner to deep clean and freshen up, these can be purchased or rented. Or consider having them professionally cleaned before selling your home.
Related: 15 Carpet Cleaning Hacks
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
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Top Choice  | Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum
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 | BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum
| 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Value  | eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum
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4. Clean All Surfaces
In addition to dusting, you’ll need to clean all surfaces in your home. This includes countertops, tabletops, appliances, and anything else that can accumulate dirt and grime. In the kitchen, be sure to clean the stovetop, oven, microwave, and fridge. In the bathroom, clean the sink, tub, shower, toilet, and mirror.
5. Make the Kitchen Shine
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house when selling. It’s important to make sure that the kitchen is clean, organized, and free of clutter. Be sure to wipe down all surfaces, including the countertops, backsplash, appliances, and cabinets. If your cabinets are looking dated, you may want to consider painting them or adding new hardware.
E-Cloth Home Cleaning Set
6. Give the Bathrooms Plenty of Attention
In addition to decluttering and cleaning all surfaces, you’ll need to do some deep cleaning in the bathrooms. This includes scrubbing the toilets, sinks, showers, and tubs. Be sure to pay attention to areas that tend to accumulate soap scum or mildew such as shower doors and tile grout.
7. Clean Windows and Mirrors
Windows and mirrors are other areas that can be easy to forget. These surfaces can get very dirty, especially if they’re located in a high-traffic area. Be sure to clean all of the windows in your home, inside and out. If you have any glass doors, be sure to clean those as well. In addition to cleaning the glass, you’ll also need to clean the frames and ledges.
Related: How to Clean Mirrors Without Streaks
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Top Choice | Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum
| 9.8 | Check Price on Amazon |
| BISSELL 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum
| 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Value | eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum
| 9.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
8. Clean Scuffs Off of Walls
Over time, walls can become scuffed and dirty. Be sure to clean any marks or stains off of the walls in your home. If you have any wallpaper, be sure to inspect it for any damage. You may need to repair or replace damaged wallpaper before selling your home.
9. Clean Up After Your Pets
If you have any pets, be sure to clean up after them. This includes vacuuming or sweeping pet hair off of floors, wiping down surfaces that may have pet hair or dander, and cleaning up any messes they may have made. You may also want to consider temporarily removing your pets from the home while it’s on the market. This will make it easier to keep the house clean and will make it more appealing to potential buyers.
Final Thoughts on House Cleaning Before Selling
These are just a few of the things you’ll need to do to clean your home before selling. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get the job done. By following these tips, you’ll be sure to make a good impression on potential buyers.