How to clean a bathroom before moving in

Moving is seen as a new beginning, a chance for a fresh start. To be able to start your life afresh though, you will need a clean and fresh home. So, one the very first things you’ll have to do when moving into your new house or apartment is to give it a thorough cleaning.

Move-in cleaning is crucial for your comfort and peace of mind – the people who lived in your new home before you will have inevitably left some dirt and dust behind (even if it’s a new construction, there will likely be dust and debris around) and you will definitely want to clean it all away before you settle in.  

Cleaning your new property will be easiest and most efficient when the place is still mostly empty – so, if possible, get to your new house or apartment before your items arrive and give the place a thorough clean (if not, be sure to deep clean your new home before you start unpacking and arranging your items).

Start with the bathroom – one of the most germ-filled places in a house – as it is the room you’re going to need the most immediately after arriving in your new home. (Besides, the room you use to keep yourself clean should, of course, be the cleanest room in your home.)

But how to clean a bathroom before moving in? In a word – disinfect the surfaces and make them shine! Here are some expert bathroom cleaning tips to help you achieve this quickly and easily:

What bathroom cleaning supplies you need

Before you start your cleaning endeavor, make sure you have the right tools and cleaning products for the job:

• Rubber gloves
• Bucket
• Mop
• Vacuum cleaner
• Duster
• Toilet brush
• Sponges, scrubbers, and brushes
• Cleaning rags and microfiber cloths
• Chemical cleaners – all-purpose cleaner, bleach, glass cleaner, etc.
• Natural cleaners – white vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, tea tree oil, etc.

A step ladder (or a step stool) may also come very handy (when cleaning the ceiling and the exhaust fan, for example).

Related: How to pack bathroom items for moving

How to clean a bathroom step by step

When cleaning your new bathroom, you’ll want to eliminate all germs and bacteria and make all surfaces spotless. So, you’ll need to scrub and disinfect every inch of the place – tiles, fixtures, vents, etc. The detail bathroom cleaning checklist below will ensure you don’t miss a thing:

Clean the ceiling, vents, and exhaust fan

As always when cleaning, start at the top – use a long-handled soft duster to remove dust and cobwebs from the ceiling and the corners of the bathroom. Then, dust the vents and clean the exhaust fan.

Good to know: How to clean a bathroom fan

• Shut off the power to the fan at the circuit box;
• Vacuum the dust from the grate that covers the fan and, if possible, remove it (it may be held in place by screws or with tension clips). Wash the grate with warm water and dish soap (you can do the same with vent grates, as well);
• Use a vacuum dust attachment or a can of compressed air to remove most of the dust from the exhaust fan. Follow up with a dusting cloth;
• Dry and replace the grate.

Clean the bathroom walls

Continue cleaning downwards – wipe down the bathroom walls, doors, towel racks, and light fixtures with a damp sponge and all-purpose cleaner. If the bathroom has a window, clean the glass and wipe the sills.

Good to know: How to clean bathroom tiles and grout

• Mix one part bleach to four parts water (or equal parts distilled white vinegar and water) in a spray bottle;
• Spray all tiled surfaces in the bathroom, wait for 15-30 minutes, and rinse;
• If there is mold on the tiles or grout, make a baking soda paste (mix 1/2 cup baking soda with several teaspoons of water), apply it to the moldy areas, let it sit for 10 minutes, and scrub away with a bristle brush (you can use an old toothbrush to better scrub the grout). Spay with the vinegar solution (or bleach solution), wait for 5 minutes, and rinse with clean water.

Clean the shower and the tub

Take care of the shower and bathtub next – you’ll definitely want to take a refreshing shower or a relaxing bath at the end of moving day. (See also: What to do the first night in a new home)

How to deep clean a shower

• Clean the showerhead – unscrew it from the pipe and soak it for a couple of hours in a bowl of equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Scrub away the mineral build-up with an old toothbrush, then rinse the showerhead inside and out, and reattach it;
• Clean the shower rod and faucets with baking soda, spray with vinegar/water solution, and rinse. Buff with a dry towel;
• Scrub the shower walls (use an all-purpose cleaner or vinegar solution) and rinse well with hot water;
• Use shaving cream to remove soap build-up and water spots from shower screens. Apply the cream, wait for 15 minutes, and then wipe clean.

To make the glass sparkle, apply a paste of baking soda and vinegar to glass shower doors and walls (and to any other glass surfaces in the bathroom), let it sit for an hour, scrub with a microfiber cloth, and rinse.

Replace the shower curtain – a new curtain will freshen the bathroom and add to its character and style. (See also: How to make your new place feel like home)

How to clean a bathroom tub

• Dampen the tub with hot water, then sprinkle it with baking soda. Rub the baking soda with a sponge to form a thin layer of paste on the tub surface, let it sit for a while, and rinse;
• Rub the bathtub with lemon wedges to make it sparkling white – squeeze the lemons, so that the lemon juice coats the entire surface of the tub. Leave to soak for 30 minutes and rinse with hot water;
• Clean the bathtub faucets and taps using baking soda and an old toothbrush, then shine them with a soft cloth.

Of course, you can also use a commercial cleaning agent or vinegar/water solution (as described above) to clean the bath.

Clean the sink and faucets

The bathroom sink will see a lot of use during the move-in process – and will need a lot of cleaning. Here is how to clean a bathroom sink quickly and efficiently:

• Coat the sink with a layer of baking soda and scrub it with a damp sponge. It is also a good idea to wash the basin with vinegar or rub the sink with lemon wedges to return it to a sparkling white;
• Clean the faucets and chromed surfaces with baking soda and an old toothbrush;
• Pour baking soda and white vinegar down the drain to clean out any residue;
• Use a paste of baking soda and vinegar to clean built-in soap dishes and toothbrush holders (as described above).

You can also spray a disinfectant bathroom cleaner all around the sink and wipe with a damp cloth.

Clean the bathroom countertops, cabinets, and mirrors

Turn your attention to the counters, drawers, and mirrors:

• Wipe down the bathroom countertop, vanity top, and shelves – use a specialized cleaner that is safe for the surfaces (test the cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous area first);
• Wash the inside and outside of the medicine cabinet, linen cabinet, and bathroom vanity with warm, soapy water. Don’t forget to clean any handles and doorknobs too;
• Use a glass cleaner for the bathroom mirror.

Clean the toilet

Disinfecting the toilet is your most essential move-in bathroom cleaning task – you need to make sure the toilet is free of germs and bacteria:

• First, coat the inside of the bowl with a strong disinfectant cleaner (squirt the cleaner along the inside edge of the toilet’s rim – it will run down the entire bowl) and let it sit for 15 minutes or so;
• While waiting, clean the outside of the toilet – from the top of the tank to the base – with disinfectant wipes;
• Scrub the entire bowl (including under the rim) with a stiff-bristled toilet brush, then flush;
• Replace the toilet seat and cover – this will save you a lot of time and effort, will give you peace of mind, and will considerably freshen the bathroom;
• Wipe down the toilet paper holder;
• Replace the toilet brush.

Clean the bathroom floor

Lastly, clean the bathroom floor. Vacuum it to remove dust and debris, then scrub the dirtier areas (around the toilet base, under the sink, etc.) with hot, soapy water. When ready, mop the floor and let it dry.

Bonus tips for cleaning a bathroom before moving into a new home

1. Before you start cleaning your new bathroom, open the window (if any) to make fumes from cleaning agents less bothersome, bring in fresh air, and speed the drying process. Be sure to turn on the bathroom fan for ventilation as soon as you’ve cleaned it.
2. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the chemicals in the cleaning products and the bacteria on the bathroom surfaces.
3. Pay special attention to the places that the previous occupants of the home may have missed when cleaning the bathroom (behind the toilet, inside of the medicine cabinet, in the shower recess, etc.).
4. Consider hiring professional cleaning services – especially if you can’t arrive in your new home before your items, don’t have the necessary cleaning supplies (if you’ve flown to your new city, for example), or are too exhausted to deal with cleaning after your move.

Now that you know how to deep clean a bathroom before moving in, you can start your new life with a clean slate. Have a bright and happy time in your new home!