Cleaning a home you are leaving is easy to leave for last, and that is exactly when you have the least time and energy. A simple checklist makes it manageable, whether you do it yourself or hire someone.
Start once the home is empty, or as close to empty as you can get. Cleaning around furniture and boxes means doing the work twice. If you can, clean after the movers have taken the last load.
Work from top to bottom. Dust ceiling corners, light fixtures and the tops of cabinets first, then work down to counters and finally the floors. That way dust and crumbs fall onto surfaces you have not cleaned yet, not ones you have already finished.
In the kitchen, empty and wipe the inside of cabinets and drawers, clean the oven, the stovetop and the inside of the fridge and freezer, and wipe the exterior of every appliance. Do not forget the backsplash, the sink and the area behind where small appliances sat.
In bathrooms, scrub the toilet, tub, shower and sink, clean mirrors, and wipe cabinets inside and out. Pay attention to grout, faucets and drains, which collect the most buildup.
In the remaining rooms, wipe baseboards, door frames, light switches and window sills, clean closets and shelves, then vacuum and wash the floors last. Take a final look at windows and mirrors for smudges.
If you would rather spend the day on the move itself, M&S Service d'entretien ménager offers pre- and post-move cleaning on the Montréal South Shore. Call (438) 994-1824 for a free estimate, and new clients get 10% off.