Move In Cleaning Guide for a Fresh Start
The boxes are at the door, the keys are in your hand, and there is one job worth doing before the first plate goes in a cabinet: clean the empty space. This move in cleaning guide helps you focus on the areas that are easiest to miss once furniture, rugs, and everyday life take over. A clean start makes unpacking more comfortable, protects your belongings from old dust and grime, and gives you confidence that the home is ready for your family.
Even a home that looks tidy at a showing can hold greasy cabinet shelves, hair in bathroom drawers, fingerprints on switches, and dust behind appliances. Whether you are moving into a rental, buying a home, or preparing a commercial space for a new tenant, a planned clean is faster and more thorough than trying to address issues room by room after moving day.
Start Before the Moving Truck Arrives
The best time for move-in cleaning is after the previous occupants have left and before your movers unload. An empty home gives you access to baseboards, closets, cabinets, floors, and appliances without working around boxes. If your timeline allows, schedule cleaning one or two days before move-in so floors and surfaces have time to dry completely.
Start with a walkthrough in daylight. Open cabinets, check inside closets, turn on lights, and inspect the refrigerator, oven, sinks, and windows. Take dated photos of existing scratches, stains, chipped paint, or damage, especially if you are renting. Cleaning should improve the space, but it should not make you responsible for wear that was already there.
This is also the right time to decide what kind of help you need. A lightly used property may need a detailed surface clean. A home that has been vacant, recently renovated, occupied by pets, or left in poor condition may require more time and specialized attention. If odors, heavy grease, mold concerns, pest evidence, or construction residue are present, address those issues before moving belongings inside.
Gather Supplies for Your Move In Cleaning Guide
You do not need a closet full of products, but you do need the right tools for different surfaces. Use an all-purpose cleaner for most sealed counters and fixtures, a glass cleaner for mirrors and windows, a bathroom cleaner for soap scum, and a degreaser for kitchen buildup. Keep disinfectant for high-touch areas such as handles, switches, faucets, and toilet flush levers.
Avoid using one strong product everywhere. Abrasive powders can scratch glass cooktops and polished stone, while bleach may discolor some finishes and should never be mixed with other cleaners. Read product labels, test unfamiliar products in a hidden spot, and ventilate rooms while you work.
For a practical move-in clean, have these items ready:
- Microfiber cloths, sponges, scrub brushes, and paper towels
- A vacuum with attachments, mop, bucket, and floor cleaner suited to your flooring
- Rubber gloves, trash bags, and a step stool for high shelves and vents
- All-purpose cleaner, degreaser, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and disinfectant
- A grout brush or old toothbrush for corners, tracks, and fixtures
Work from high to low in each room. Dust ceiling fans, vents, shelves, and trim first, then clean counters and fixtures, and finish with the floors. That order prevents you from cleaning the same surface twice.
Clean the Kitchen Before You Stock It
The kitchen deserves extra time because it holds food, dishes, and small appliances. Begin by removing shelf liners, crumbs, and loose debris from cabinets and drawers. Vacuum or wipe inside corners, then wash interior surfaces with a cleaner appropriate for the material. Let everything dry before adding fresh liners or putting away dishes.
Pay close attention to handles, drawer pulls, cabinet fronts, backsplash grout, and the areas around the trash pullout. These are common grease and fingerprint zones. Wipe down countertops, but confirm whether they are laminate, quartz, granite, marble, or another material before choosing a product. Natural stone often requires a pH-neutral cleaner rather than acidic sprays.
Clean the refrigerator from top to bottom, including door seals, shelves, drawers, and the exterior handle. Pull it forward only if it is safe to do so, then vacuum dust from the floor and accessible coils. For the oven, remove racks and clean spills, grease, and crumbs. A neglected oven can smoke the first time you cook, which is an unpleasant welcome to a new home.
Finish by cleaning the sink, faucet, garbage disposal splash guard if present, and dishwasher filter. Run an empty dishwasher cycle according to the manufacturer’s instructions before loading it with your kitchenware.
Give Bathrooms a True Reset
Bathrooms can look clean at first glance while still needing a deeper reset. Start with the exhaust fan cover, light fixtures, mirrors, and medicine cabinet. Empty drawers and cabinets, then wipe the interiors before adding towels, toiletries, or medication.
Clean the shower or tub, walls, grout, fixtures, drain cover, toilet, vanity, and floor. Allow bathroom cleaner to sit for the recommended time before scrubbing soap scum or mineral buildup. Disinfect high-touch points after removing visible dirt, since disinfectant works best on a clean surface.
Replace the toilet seat if it is worn, stained, or simply gives you peace of mind. It is an inexpensive change that can make an older bathroom feel much more personal. If you notice persistent mildew, soft drywall, leaking fixtures, or a slow drain, document it and notify the property owner or manager promptly.
Do Not Skip Bedrooms, Closets, and Living Areas
Bedrooms and living spaces may need less scrubbing than kitchens and bathrooms, but they collect plenty of dust. Wipe closet shelves, rods, doors, window sills, blinds, baseboards, and light switches before bringing in clothing or furniture. Vacuum corners, under radiators, and along wall edges using a crevice attachment.
Wash interior windows if they are visibly dirty, then clean tracks where dust and insects collect. If the home has ceiling fans, dust the blades carefully before turning them on. A single run of a dusty fan can spread debris across freshly cleaned floors and unpacked belongings.
For carpeting, vacuum slowly in multiple directions. Consider professional carpet cleaning if there are stains, pet odors, or allergens from previous occupants. For hardwood, vinyl, laminate, or tile, use the correct cleaner and avoid soaking the floor. Excess water can damage seams, wood, and some underlayment materials.
Tackle the Hidden High-Touch Areas
Small details change how clean a home feels. Wipe door handles, lock hardware, thermostat controls, outlet covers, switch plates, handrails, garage remotes, and mailbox keys. Clean air vents and replace the HVAC filter if you are responsible for it. A fresh filter is especially helpful after renovations or a long vacancy.
Check laundry areas as well. Wipe the washer gasket and detergent drawer, clean the dryer lint trap and surrounding floor, and inspect behind the machines if access is available. These areas are often skipped during a standard turnover clean.
If time is limited, prioritize the spaces that touch food, hygiene, sleep, and air quality: the kitchen, bathrooms, bedroom closets, floors, high-touch points, and ventilation. Decorative details can wait until you are settled.
When Professional Move-In Cleaning Makes Sense
A DIY clean can work well for a small, well-maintained apartment with time on your side. It becomes harder when you are coordinating movers, childcare, utility appointments, repairs, and a tight possession date. Larger homes, heavy buildup, post-renovation dust, and properties that do not meet your expectations are often better handled by trained cleaning professionals.
A professional move-in service gives you a defined scope of work and lets you arrive to a home that is ready for unpacking. For Ottawa, Nepean, and Kanata residents, Euroshine provides customized move-in cleaning with trained professionals, flexible scheduling, and a 24-hour cleanliness satisfaction guarantee. It is a practical option when you want reliable results without adding another demanding task to moving week.
Before booking any cleaning service, confirm what is included, whether interior appliances and cabinets are part of the appointment, and how the team handles concerns after the clean. Clear expectations protect your schedule and help ensure the result matches the condition you expect.
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Top Frequently Asked Questions
Euroshine was founded in January 2012 and provides both commercial and residential cleaning services.
Our cleaners and staff members are thoroughly trained for each cleaning task and complete required safety training. We are fully insured and our teams have passed police record checks.
We’re proud recipients of multiple industry awards, including Top Choice Award (Best Residential Cleaning Company in Ottawa), HomeStars Best of Ottawa, Consumer Choice Award, and the Canadian Choice Award (2025). We focus on consistent quality, clear communication, and dependable service.
Our team is trained, insured, and bonded, and we follow proven cleaning systems so clients know what to expect on every visit.
We’ve been recognized by multiple local awards and platforms over the years. If you’d like to see the most up-to-date list, visit our About Us page or contact us.
Cleaning
We clean all commonly used areas of the home, including kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas, and floors.
Our team follows a top-to-bottom system (dusting first, floors last). We focus on high-touch surfaces and visible buildup, and we can tailor priorities based on your home.
Optional add-ons by request (and time): inside oven, inside fridge, inside cabinets (if empty), interior windows/blinds. For inside appliances and behind them, the appliance must be empty and safely accessible before we arrive.
Our cleaning services* include, but are not limited to:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Sleeping areas
- Living areas
- Hardwood floors
- Carpet and area rugs
- Manufactured flooring
- Appliances
For first-time services (including deep cleans and move-in/move-out cleanings), our team brings all professional-grade cleaning products and supplies.
For recurring clients, we encourage you to keep a few basic items in your home so we can avoid cross-contamination between homes and use products that match your surfaces and preferences. If you become a regular client, we’ll send you a simple recommended list (with photos) of the products we ask regular clients to provide.
For recurring clients, we encourage you to keep a few basic items in your home (for example: a vacuum, mop, and a couple of preferred products). This helps reduce cross-contamination between homes (allergens, pet hair, or germs) and ensures we are using products that are best for your specific surfaces and preferences.
If you don’t have supplies yet, we can recommend a simple starter list.
We use professional-grade cleaning products and tools that are effective and safe for most residential surfaces.
We can accommodate eco-friendly, fragrance-free, or allergy-sensitive preferences whenever possible – just tell us what you prefer at booking.
A quick tidy helps us focus our time on cleaning rather than organizing. If possible, clear countertops and floors of personal items, and let us know in advance about any priority areas.
No – you don’t need to be home. Many clients provide entry instructions (door code, key, or garage access).
For a first-time clean, it can be helpful if you’re available (in person or by message) to confirm priorities and any do-not-touch areas.
At the end of the visit, we recommend doing a quick walkthrough while the cleaners are still there. If something was missed, we can usually address it right away.
Yes – Our cleaners are thoroughly trained for each cleaning task and complete required safety training. Euroshine is fully insured, and our cleaners have passed police record checks.
We also take professionalism and accountability seriously—our goal is to deliver consistent service you can feel confident about.
Where required, we complete background checks and maintain appropriate business insurance. We also follow WSIB requirements.
For move-out cleanings, the home should be empty so we can clean thoroughly. Please remove all personal items and garbage beforehand.
If you want inside appliances (oven/fridge) and behind them cleaned, they must be empty and safely accessible before we arrive.
We do not wash dishes or change bed sheets as part of standard service.
Windows, blinds, and other detail tasks can be added when requested, but they require additional time – please tell us in advance so we can plan accordingly.
We do our best to assign a consistent team for recurring cleanings. Occasionally, the team may change due to scheduling and availability.
All team members are trained and follow our cleaning standards and safety procedures.
Most visits are completed by a team of two cleaners.
For larger services (such as some move-in/move-out or deep cleanings), we may recommend a larger team depending on the size and condition of the home.
We provide an estimated arrival window and estimated duration based on the information you share. Times can vary slightly due to traffic and the day’s schedule.
If timing is important for you (appointments, school pickup, etc.), let us know – we’ll do our best to plan around it.
Yes – for recurring services, we aim to send the same team whenever possible so they can learn your home and preferences.
If a change is needed due to scheduling, we’ll ensure the replacement team follows the same checklist and standards.
If something doesn’t look right, please let us know as soon as possible. The best time is while the team is still in your home so we can fix it immediately.
If you notice something after the team has left, email us at info@euroshine.ca with a brief description (and
photos if helpful). We’ll review it and make it right.
Yes – you can share priorities (for example: baseboards, vents, pet hair, inside microwave) and we’ll tailor the visit based on the time booked.
If something is accidentally damaged, we will notify you as soon as possible and discuss next steps. We handle issues case by case and aim for a fair, timely resolution.
Please email us (info@euroshine.ca) in advance with the details (what you need done and when). This helps us schedule enough time and assign the right team.
Not at all – we’re happy to work in homes with pets. If your pet is anxious or protective, please let us know in advance and consider placing them in a comfortable room while we clean.
We offer recurring home cleaning, one-time/deep cleaning, move-in/move-out cleaning, and post-construction cleaning. We can also tailor services based on your needs and priorities.
Prices vary depending on the size of your home and the type of service you need. However, many clients searching for “affordable house cleaning in Stittsville” or “best cleaning service in Ottawa West” find Euroshine to be the perfect blend of value and quality. Contact us for a free, no-obligation estimate.
We can accommodate eco-friendly or low-scent product preferences whenever possible. Please tell us at booking if you have allergies, sensitivities, or product preferences.
Deep cleans and move-in/move-out cleanings focus on extra detail and built-up areas and typically take longer than regular maintenance cleanings.
Recurring cleanings focus on maintaining the home once the baseline is established, so visits are usually more efficient over time.
If you’re unsure what you need, we’ll recommend the best option after a few quick questions.
Standard cleaning typically includes dusting, wiping surfaces, cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, vacuuming, and mopping.
Add-ons can include inside the oven or fridge, inside cabinets (if empty), interior windows/blinds, and extra buildup detail work.
Tell us what you want done and we’ll confirm what fits in the scheduled time.
For safety, we do not move very heavy furniture or lift items that could risk injury or damage.
We can usually move light items (small chairs, mats, small decor) when safe to do so. If there’s something you’d like moved, please mention it in advance.
Yes, whenever possible. Please let us know at booking if anyone in the home has allergies, sensitivities, asthma, or product preferences.
If you have preferred products, we can use them.
Appointments & Scheduling
Yes – weekend cleanings are available, but spaces can be limited.
If you’d like a weekend appointment, please email us (info@euroshine.ca) in advance with your preferred day/time and the details of your home or office, and we’ll do our best to find the closest available slot.
We do our best to accommodate preferred times, especially for recurring clients. If your preferred slot isn’t available, we’ll offer the closest alternative.
Yes. We provide both residential and commercial recurring cleaning services, and we currently serve 148+ happy regular clients.
If you’re considering a regular service, we recommend starting with an initial cleaning. This allows us to assess your space, determine a realistic schedule, and set a flat rate for your preferred frequency. Because our calendar fills quickly with ongoing clients, availability is organized week by week to accommodate new bookings as efficiently as possible.
We recommend starting with a first-time clean so we can understand your home and priorities. After that, we’ll suggest the best frequency and provide an ongoing plan.
No formal contract is required for our clients. Satisfaction with our services is the primary determinant of continued engagement, and our clients are free to terminate our service at any time without obligation.
We do not clean on public holidays. If your usual day falls on a holiday, we’ll contact you to reschedule.
Email us at least 48 hours before your scheduled visit to skip or reschedule a cleaning.
Changes made within 48 hours may be subject to a cancellation fee.
Yes – we serve Ottawa and many surrounding neighbourhoods, including Westboro, Nepean, Barrhaven, and Stittsville.
If you’re unsure whether we cover your area, contact us and we’ll confirm availability.
Yes – our minimum visit is 1.5 hours with a team of two cleaners.
Minimum time recommendations can still vary depending on the type of service and the size/condition of the home (for example, a first-time deep clean or move-in/move-out service usually requires more time). When you request a quote, we’ll confirm what’s realistic for your home.
Availability varies by season. Booking earlier gives you the best choice of dates and times, especially for move-in/move-out and holiday periods.
If you need a specific date, contact us as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Billing & Pricing
We accept e-transfer, cheque, and cash.
Yes – for recurring clients, we can keep a key or garage remote (or use a door code) so the team can enter easily and stay on schedule.
We’ll confirm your preferred entry method and who will hold the key.
Many one-time and deep cleaning services are priced by labour hour.
A labour hour means one cleaner working for one hour. For example: a team of two cleaners for 3 hours equals 6 labour hours.
We’ll confirm the rate and the estimated labour hours before your appointment.
If the team arrives and cannot access the home, it may be treated as a late cancellation because the time has been reserved for you.
If this happens, we’ll contact you right away and do our best to find a solution. Please ensure entry instructions are up to date before each visit.
Home Access
Entry is arranged based on your preference: key, door code, garage entry, or being home to let the team in.
Please share entry instructions in advance so the team can start on time.
The keys shall exclusively rest with the professional cleaning personnel entrusted with the routine maintenance of your residence.
Referrals
Yes – if you refer a new client, you may be eligible for a discount on your next routine visit. Contact us for details.