If change is in the air, you are likely wondering how to prepare your house for sale. Items on your to-do list might include painting, minor renovations and repairs, landscaping, and staging. 

However, before any of that happens, it helps to start with a thorough cleaning and decluttering. For many people, the task of getting organized is the most difficult of all. An early start so you can take things one small step at a time will help. In this post, we’ll show you how to deep clean a house in the easiest and most efficient way possible. 

Before we continue, have you downloaded our free Selling Tips E-Book yet? It is full of advice to streamline your transaction in any market.

Deep Cleaning Checklist by Room in 30 Minutes a Day (or Less)

Focusing on one room at a time offers multiple benefits. First, some rooms are more important to buyers than others, so you’ll know when you can take it easy and when to really dive in. 

Second, it stops you from feeling overwhelmed when you think of all of the things to clean in your house! When there’s too much all at once, a simple broom can feel as heavy as a bag of bricks. 

That’s why we broke everything down to just half an hour a day. You’ll be astounded at what you can accomplish in small, doable bites!

Looking for even more ideas to prepare for a successful house sale? Check out the resources below:

Kitchen Cleaning Tips

Many buyers place the highest priority on the look and vibe of the kitchen. They want to imagine game nights, family meals, tinkering with their latest gourmet creation, and more. 

Keeping the kitchen tidy can feel like a never-ending task. Nevertheless, anything is possible when you put your mind to it – and when you have these simple cleaning tips and hacks to follow:

Since the kitchen is always in use, and therefore always in need of tidying, we recommend breaking down your tasks even further into 10-minute increments. You can tackle the list all at once or sporadically throughout the day. 

  • Clear everything off the counter that doesn’t need to be there. Also, be merciless about what you actually need. If you use it every day, it’s okay to be on display. If you use it sporadically, find another place for it. Better yet, give it away to someone who needs it more than you.
  • Wipe down the table and counters. Since you’ve got the washcloth out, you might as well give the fridge handles and stove a quick wipe. 
  • Choose one cupboard or one drawer for a deep clean. Take everything out and wash and disinfect the inside. Next, put back only what you need and really want. Keep a box handy for any items you haven’t used in 6 months or more to either store out of sight or donate. 
  • Remove any mail or flyers that you’ve put down on the table for “later.” Sort out the essentials and toss the rest into the recycling bin. 

Bathroom Cleaning Tips 

The bathroom is more than a place to bathe and prepare for the day. For many homeowners, it’s a place of refuge, and a time for some much-needed peace and quiet. Creating a real spa-like oasis will go a long way in impressing potential buyers. The tips below can help you transform the bathrooms in 20 minutes a day or less. 

  • Scrub the inside of the shower and sides of the tub, and scoop out the drain. 
  • Clean behind the toilet, wash the floors, and wipe down the baseboards. 
  • Tackle the medicine counter and vanity. 
  • Clean and organize any remaining drawers. Get rid of any duplicate lotions or shampoo bottles.
  • Wash the bathmat, towels, and clean or replace the shower curtain. 

A helpful hack to make cleaning and maintaining a spotless bathroom is to simply squeegee the shower each time you use it. A 30-second wipe-down can prevent a tough buildup of grime. 

Deciding where to go is a critical step in planning your next move. The posts below will give you some ideas:

Still feeling overwhelmed in spite of a daily to-do list? It might be time to recruit some help. Here’s How Realtors® Speed Up the Home Selling Process.

General House Cleaning Tips

The kitchen and bathroom are primary areas of focus for most home buyers. Once they’re clean and spotless, tidying up the rest of your house will be easy by comparison. 

  • Identify the high traffic zones. The areas of the house used more often deserve a little extra attention in terms of vacuuming, sweeping, and decluttering. 
  • Clear off the coffee table in the living room and any bedroom dressers. 
  • Brush off the TV, any bookshelves, and the fireplace with a damp microfibre cloth. 
  • Spray the windows, patio doors, and mirrors with glass cleaner and wipe them down to remove dust and fingerprints. 
  • Fold and put away laundry in the bedrooms. Put any clothes on the floor in the hamper. 
  • Clean out and organize one drawer or one shelf in a closet. 
  • Sweep any hard floors and vacuum the carpets. If you have a cordless vacuum, you can make short work of all types of flooring. While you’re at it, use the long, thin attachment along the baseboards and under furniture. 
  • Walk around and see if any items belong in a different room. Carrying a large box or basket helps you organize with fewer trips. 

Pro tip: When dusting, start at the top and work your way down. Cleaning the ceiling fans and high shelves first, then vacuuming means you don’t have to do the same job twice. 

Getting your house in beautiful shape for the market can seem like a daunting project. However, it doesn’t have to be, not when you break it down into manageable steps. The good news is that it can be even easier when you work with a full-service team to prepare for a sale. With enough support, your house will be ready to shine faster and with less stress and effort than you realize. 

Whenever you’re ready for a move, our Georgetown real estate agents can help. Give us a call directly at 905-873-9944, email us at info@lisahartsink.com or fill out the form on this page to get in touch!