How to prepare an apartment for move-in cleaning
An apartment is easier to clean before cupboards fill up and boxes cover the floor. A little planning around the handover helps avoid moving things twice or cleaning surfaces that immediately become blocked again.
Book between the key handover and the boxes
Where possible, arrange cleaning after you receive the apartment and before most belongings arrive. The previous occupants should have finished moving out, and every room should be accessible. If furniture delivery is on the same day, agree the sequence in advance: blocked doorways make both jobs harder.
Check that water and electricity are available and that someone can open the door at the agreed time. Share the intercom details, floor and entrance instructions. If a landlord or agent holds the key, agree who will meet the team and who to contact if there is a delay.
Look around before cleaning starts
Check the kitchen, bathroom, accessible cupboards and appliances. Photograph existing damage and discuss it separately with the landlord. A scratched worktop or worn grout may not change after cleaning.
For the enquiry, send overall room photographs and close-ups of areas needing attention. Mention anything the previous occupants left behind. Do not dispose of their possessions without agreement or expect the cleaning team to decide what can leave the apartment.
- Are water and electricity working?
- Are cupboards booked for internal cleaning empty?
- Are there special surfaces or care instructions from the owner?
- Have tradespeople and movers finished their work?
List the inside surfaces you need cleaned
Kitchen shelves, drawers and the fridge are easy to overlook during a move. LumaClean offers the insides of cupboards, the fridge and oven, along with windows and the balcony, as additional tasks. List what you need when arranging the moving service.
If the apartment is partly furnished, clear the agreed areas. Plan where to put food while the fridge is cleaned. You do not need to squeeze everything into one room: leave usable walkways and identify boxes that should stay where they are.
Separate moving from renovation work
Move-in cleaning is different from cleaning up after building work. LumaClean does not offer post-renovation cleaning, mould removal or flood recovery. If you notice construction dust or paint residue, describe it before booking so the service can be assessed correctly.
On the day, show the team the agreed areas and priorities. Walk through together afterwards while the shelves are still empty, then unpack the kitchen and essentials. Fill the clean shelves before boxes take over the walkways again.
