Cleaning Tips
Move-In Cleaning NYC: What to Clean Before Unpacking
A new apartment can look clean at the walkthrough and still need real work. The previous tenant may have moved out in a rush, and a quick turnover clean often skips the inside of cabinets, the bathroom grout and the floor edges. The easiest time to fix that is before a single box comes through the door.
Why move-in cleaning matters in NYC
NYC apartments often turn over quickly, sometimes with only a day or two between tenants. Kitchens and bathrooms in older buildings collect grime in corners, around fixtures and inside cabinets. Once your furniture is in and your dishes are in the cabinets, those spots get much harder to reach.
Room-by-room move-in checklist
Kitchen
- Inside and outside of cabinets and drawers before you put dishes away
- Countertops, backsplash, sink and faucet
- Stovetop and appliance exteriors
- Inside the oven and fridge if needed (optional paid add-ons with a professional cleaning, where applicable)
- Floor, especially along the edges and under the toe kicks
Bathrooms
- Tub, shower, tile and grout
- Toilet, inside and out, including the base
- Sink, mirror and medicine cabinet
- Floor and baseboards
Bedrooms and living areas
- Inside closets, shelves and drawers
- Baseboards, door frames, outlets and light switches
- Window sills and interior windows where accessible
- Vacuum and mop all floors
Clean before your furniture arrives
An empty apartment cleans faster and more thoroughly. If you can, get the keys a day early or schedule the cleaning for the morning of move-in, before the movers arrive. Closets and floors are the hardest areas to reach once you've unpacked.
Building access and scheduling
- Ask your management company whether cleaners need to be added to a guest list or a certificate of insurance request
- Check if your building limits service visits or elevator use to certain hours
- Arrange key pickup or doorman access ahead of time
- Make sure the electricity and water are on the day of the cleaning
DIY or hire a professional?
A studio that was left in good shape can be a manageable DIY job with a free afternoon. But if you're juggling movers, utilities and work, or the place clearly needs more than a wipe-down, a professional clean lets you unpack into a home that's ready to live in.
TidyLine's Move-In / Move-Out Cleaning starts from $249 and covers a full deep clean of every room in an empty home. Your exact price depends on your home's size and the extras you choose — see pricing or see your price and book online. Moving out of your old place too? Use our NYC move-out cleaning checklist.