Cleaning: make your home shine
Buyers quickly judge whether a home is well maintained – and cleaning is the cheapest 'renovation project' you can do. A spotless home signals the house has been cared for and builds trust. Here's your plan from 'sort of tidy' to 'ready for photography'.
Declutter first – clean afterwards
Put things in boxes and drawers before vacuuming. Everything off countertops and visible surfaces. Anything that can't be put away goes in boxes in the basement/garage so it doesn't clutter the photos.
The kitchen – the room that sells
Scrub the oven; extractor hood and hob free of grease. Descale taps; polish countertops and fronts. Empty the bin; put out an open fruit bowl as an invitation.
The bathroom – sparkling clean
Remove limescale from shower, basin and toilet; mirrors completely streak-free. Clean towels; close cabinet and drawer doors; remove toothbrushes and personal products. A fresh, clean scent – not a perfume bomb.
Floors, windows and ceilings
Wash floors; vacuum under and behind furniture. Windows let in more light and make rooms feel bigger – wash inside and out plus the sills. Dust lamps, trim and door frames – details make rooms look cared for.
Smell – invisible but decisive
Air out every room; empty the cat litter; take out the trash; wash odor-holding textiles (rugs, curtains, bedding). Avoid strong air-freshener perfumes – they can seem like 'covering something up'.
The outside – first and last impression
Tidy the garden, mow the lawn, sweep the entrance. Wash the facade if it's tired; neaten carport and shed. A clean doorstep and a nice door do more than you'd think.
Small repairs that pay off
- Replace blown bulbs – every lamp works
- Fix dripping taps and loose handles
- Tighten loose cabinet doors and drawer slides
- Touch up scuffs on walls and doors with paint
- Oil squeaky hinges