The Move-In Cleaning Guide for Florida Homes

You got the keys to your new place. It looks clean. It's not. The previous occupant did a move-out cleaning that ranged from "minimal effort" to "they tried, kinda." Before you put a single box down, here's what needs to happen.

Why Move-In Cleaning Matters

Even if the home looks clean on the surface, you're moving into a space that someone else lived in. Their skin cells, cooking residue, pet dander (even if the listing said no pets), and general grime are on every surface. In Florida, you're also dealing with whatever grew in the humidity between tenants — mold in bathrooms, mildew under sinks, and dust in the AC system.

Cleaning before you unpack is 10x easier than doing it after your furniture is in. Take advantage of the empty home.

The Move-In Checklist

Hit everything in this order:

• ✓Bathroom first — scrub the tub, toilet, sink, and floors. You'll need a clean bathroom from day one
• ✓Kitchen — clean inside all cabinets and drawers before putting anything in them. Clean the oven, fridge, and stovetop
• ✓Wipe down every closet shelf and rod
• ✓Clean all windows, sills, and tracks
• ✓Wipe down all baseboards and door frames
• ✓Clean light switches, outlets, and door handles (disinfect these)
• ✓Sweep, vacuum, and mop every floor
• ✓Check under sinks for any water damage, mold, or pest evidence
• ✓Replace HVAC filter and run the AC to check for musty smells
• ✓Clean ceiling fans — every blade

Document Everything

Before you clean anything, photograph the home's condition — every scuff, stain, and scratch. Email these to your landlord with the date. This protects your security deposit when you eventually move out. After cleaning, take another set of photos showing the home's condition as you received it after your cleaning.

Book a Professional

This is genuinely the best time to hire a move-in cleaning service. The home is empty, so we can reach every surface, clean every corner, and do it in half the time it would take with furniture in the way. A move-in deep clean for a 2-bedroom takes about 3–4 hours and gives you the peace of mind that you're starting fresh in a truly clean space.