Cleaning may not be the most complicated part of moving, but leaving it until the last day can create unnecessary work when you already have enough to manage.
The easiest approach is to clean as you pack. Start with areas and belongings you no longer use, work room by room, and leave for moving day only the surfaces that will get dirty again. When preparing for an interstate move, cleaning also gives you a chance to inspect what you’re shipping, remove items that shouldn’t be packed, and prepare the items for transport.
Here are the cleaning tasks you should complete before the movers arrive.
Declutter Before You Start Cleaning
Don’t spend time cleaning things you aren’t taking with you. Before deep cleaning a room, decide what will be moved, sold, donated, recycled, or discarded.
Work through storage areas first, including closets, cabinets, garages, basements, and spare rooms. Once unwanted items are gone, you’ll have fewer objects to move around and fewer surfaces to clean.
Decluttering is also an important step because shipment size can affect the cost of your move. Before paying to ship an item, consider whether you still use it, whether it will work in your new home, and how much it would cost to replace at your destination.
Clean One Room at a Time
Trying to clean the entire house a day or two before moving is inefficient. Instead, clean each room once most of its contents have been packed.
Start with rooms you use the least, such as a guest room or home office, and work toward the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Wipe shelves, cabinets, baseboards, doors, windowsills, and other areas that are difficult to reach when the room is furnished.
Once a room is finished, avoid using it as temporary storage for boxes from somewhere else. Keeping completed rooms clear prevents you from having to clean them twice.
Save vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping high-traffic areas until the movers have finished carrying everything out.
Give the Kitchen Extra Time
The kitchen usually requires more preparation than other rooms because it contains food, appliances, grease, and items that can spill.
Start several weeks before moving day by using up food from the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry, gradually cleaning it out. Separate anything you plan to take from food that needs to be consumed, donated, or discarded.
Clean cupboards and drawers as you empty them. Wipe countertops, backsplashes, the stovetop, oven, and areas behind small appliances. Check the requirements of your lease or sale agreement to see whether a more thorough final clean is expected.
Avoid packing opened food, liquids, or anything that could leak into your household goods shipment.
Prepare Appliances Properly
Appliances need more than a quick wipe before they are moved. Empty, clean, and dry your refrigerator and freezer in advance. Allow enough time for the freezer to defrost completely and for moisture to dry before transportation. Leaving water inside can cause odors, mold, or leaks during transit.
Clean ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers before moving them. Remove food residue, lint, detergent, and standing water. Check hoses and filters and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preparing each appliance for transportation. FastPAC Forwarding Move Coordinators can arrange third party appliance servicing in advance.
Clean Furniture Before It Is Packed
Your furniture will spend days or potentially weeks wrapped or enclosed during a long-distance move, so pack it clean and dry.
Vacuum sofas, chairs, mattresses, and upholstered headboards to remove dust, crumbs, and pet hair. Wipe hard furniture with an appropriate cleaner and allow it to fully dry.
Empty drawers and cabinets unless your mover has specifically advised otherwise. Check underneath furniture and between cushions for small belongings that could be accidentally packed.
Avoid applying oils, polish, or large amounts of cleaning solution shortly before furniture is wrapped. Any surface being packed should be completely dry.
Pay Attention to Outdoor Equipment
Outdoor items require particular attention when moving across state lines. Clean bicycles, garden furniture, tools, sports equipment, grills, and other outdoor belongings before packing. Remove mud, leaves, insects, and other organic material. Equipment that has been stored outdoors can carry soil or plant material and potentially include invasive pests.
Garden tools, camping equipment, lawn equipment, and children’s outdoor toys should be cleaned thoroughly and allowed to dry.
If you are moving a grill or equipment that uses fuel, tell your Move Coordinator in advance. Fuel and other flammable materials cannot be packed with household goods.
Use Up Your Cleaning Supplies
Moving day is a good deadline for reducing the collection of half-used bottles under your sink. Use what you can before the move and dispose of anything you cannot take according to local regulations. Household cleaning products are among prohibited interstate shipping items because of their hazardous properties.
Keep a Small Cleaning Kit Out
Keep a small kit available with trash bags, paper towels or cloths, a multipurpose cleaner, a broom, a vacuum if needed, and basic bathroom supplies. You’ll need it for the areas that become dirty while furniture and boxes are being removed.
Keep this kit clearly separated from the shipment so the moving crew doesn’t pack it accidentally. Plan to use or dispose of the remaining products once the final clean is finished.
Leave Floors Until the Movers Finish
Complete most of your cleaning beforehand but leave high-traffic floors until the house is empty. Once the moving crew has finished, vacuum carpets and sweep or mop hard floors. Check corners and the spaces where furniture was positioned for dust or items that may have been missed.
If you are renting, review your lease for any specific move-out cleaning requirements. Depending on the property, you may also need professional carpet cleaning or another service before returning the keys.
Photograph the Property Before You Leave
Once the home is empty and clean, walk through every room before leaving. Open closets, cabinets, drawers, and storage areas to make sure nothing was left behind. Check the garage, balcony, attic, basement, and outdoor areas as well.
If you are renting, photograph the condition of each room after cleaning. Include floors, walls, appliances, and any areas that were documented when you moved in. Keep the photos with your move-out records in case questions arise about the property’s condition or security deposit.
Make Moving Day Easier with FastPAC Forwarding
Cleaning before moving day is easier when the rest of your move is organized. Preparing your belongings, removing prohibited items, cleaning anything that will be packed, and leaving final floors and surfaces until the home is empty can help make moving day more efficient.
FastPAC Forwarding provides professional packing, transportation, and door-to-door delivery for interstate moves. Every move is supported by an experienced team and a dedicated Move Coordinator who can help you understand what can be shipped and how to prepare your household goods.
Ready for your next interstate move? Get your free, personalized moving quote from FastPAC Forwarding and let our team of BBB-accredited moving experts guide you every step of the way.
