Why cleaning matters when you sell
Buyers form a first impression from the listing photos and the first few minutes of a viewing. Dust, limescale, grease and marks on walls distract from the home itself and can make buyers wonder what else has been neglected. A thorough clean will not change the size of a room, but it lets buyers see the space at its best.
The right order
- Declutter. Clear worktops, shelves and floors. Pack away what you do not need.
- Deep clean. Work through every room once it is clear.
- Photograph. Book photos for after the clean.
- Keep it up. Quick tidies before each viewing.
Room by room checklist
Kitchen
- Clean inside cupboards and drawers; buyers open them.
- Scrub worktops and descale the sink and taps.
- Clean the oven, hob and extractor.
- Wipe cupboard doors and handles.
Bathrooms
- Remove limescale from taps, shower screens and tiles.
- Clean grout and replace tired sealant if needed.
- Polish mirrors and glass.
Bedrooms and living areas
- Dust all surfaces, skirting boards and radiators.
- Clean light switches and door frames.
- Hoover and mop floors; consider a carpet clean.
Windows and entrance
- Clean inside windows, frames and sills.
- Tidy the front door and hallway, the first thing buyers see.
Common mistakes
- Cleaning before decluttering. You end up cleaning twice.
- Ignoring smells. Bins, pets and damp are noticed at viewings.
- Forgetting cupboards. Buyers look inside.
- Leaving appliances. A greasy oven stands out in an otherwise clean kitchen.
Booking a professional deep clean
Our one-off deep clean uses the same room checklist as our end of tenancy clean: cupboards cleaned inside and out, worktops sanitised, sinks and bathrooms descaled, skirting boards, radiators, switches and doors wiped, floors hoovered and mopped, and all inside windows in the rooms booked. Appliances and carpets can be added, and mould cleaning is not included. Our one-off deep cleaning is From £180.
Typical job £290 — based on 1,824 completed jobs in the last 12 months.
After you sell
If you are leaving a rented home or handing over a property that is empty, an end of tenancy style clean is booked the same way once the furniture has gone.
Before each viewing
- Open curtains and blinds and switch on lights in darker rooms.
- Empty bins and take them outside.
- Wipe kitchen worktops and the sink, and put away washing-up.
- Straighten towels and wipe bathroom taps and mirrors.
- Hoover high-traffic areas such as the hallway and living room.
- Open windows briefly to air the home.
If the home is empty
Empty homes show every mark on floors, walls and skirting boards. Once furniture has gone, book the clean so cupboards, floors and windows are done in one visit before final photos or handover.
Outside and first impressions
Buyers start judging before they step inside. Sweep the path, clear leaves and bins away from the front of the house, clean the front door and its handle, and make sure the doorbell and outside light work. Inside the hallway, clear shoes and coats, wipe the skirting boards and give the floor a proper clean. These small jobs take little effort but shape the first few seconds of every viewing and every listing photo of the front of the home.
Read what a deep clean includes, or book a clean.