When it's time to sell your home, it's important for your house to create a positive impression with prospective buyers. Our real estate agents recommend thoroughly cleaning your home before listing it to attract homebuyers and help you command the highest asking price.

A messy, cluttered space indicates to buyers that the property hasn't been properly maintained and may be a haven for expensive repairs. Check out this list of cleaning tips to prepare your home to list. 

9 Cleaning Tips Before Listing Your Home

1. Declutter Your Whole Home
   Before you grab your broom and dustcloth, spend some time ridding your home of items that you no longer use. The more stuff that's inside your home, the smaller and less inviting it appears to prospective buyers. You'll also have more stuff to clean and organize. Get rid of anything you haven't used in a year, items that are broken or worn out, and stuff that no longer fits your lifestyle. Ensure to declutter every space in your home, including your garage, attic, cabinets, and linen closets.

2. Focus on One Room at a Time
   Instead of trying to deep clean your whole house at once, focus on one room or area at a time. If you're dealing with a large room or super messy space, divide it into smaller sections. This will make it easier for you to start and stop your cleaning, and you'll be able to see the progress you're making.

3. Vacuum Each Room from Top to Bottom
   The first thing you should do in any room is to vacuum the space from the ceiling to the floor. This will rid the room of dust and dirt that will turn into mud when it comes into contact with a wet rag or mop. You'll also eradicate the space of cobwebs and dust bunnies. Make sure to move furniture so that you can get the spaces behind and underneath it. 

4. Wipe Down Your Walls, Windowsills, and Baseboards
   Buyers tend to inspect these surfaces to determine how clean your home really is. See that these areas are free of stains and grime by thoroughly cleaning them. To clean your walls and baseboards, mix a teaspoon of powdered Tide with a gallon of warm water. If the surface isn't sensitive to bleach, you can add one-third of a cup of bleach. Use this solution to scrub the surfaces with a lint-free cloth. If you have a lot of nooks and crannies to clean, use a small scrub brush. After scrubbing, rinse the surface by wiping it with a clean, damp cloth. 

5. Remember to Clean Your Home's Hardware
   It's easy to overlook the vents, lightswitch covers, handles, and knobs in your home. However, if these items are dirty, they can make the entire room look dingy. All of these items should be cleaned with a wet cloth and cleaning solution. Once they're clean, make sure that any metal surfaces are gleaming and free of water spots by cleaning them again with window cleaner. 

6. Combat Mold and Mildew in the Bathrooms
   It's common for mold and mildew to develop in bathrooms due to high levels of moisture. Use a scrub brush and suitable cleaner to remove mold and mildew stains from the bathroom's grout, seals, bathtub, and shower. 

7. Clean Every Aspect of Your Windows
   Lots of natural lighting is an easy way to improve the appearance of any space in your home. Make sure that dirty windows aren't obscuring the room's natural light. Clean both the interior and exterior of your windows using a streak-free cleaning product. Take your draperies down and launder them. See that they're free of wrinkles before you rehang them. If your windows have blinds, take them down and soak them in a bathtub with a cup of baking soda and a few squirts of dish soap. Let them soak for an hour to two, then rinse them, dry them, and rehang them. Check that you dust and shine any hardware close to your windows, like curtains rods and window locks. 

8. Rent a Carpet Cleaner (or Hire a Pro)
   In homes that have carpets, the carpets often harbor odors. These odors are usually overlooked by homeowners who are used to the smell of their homes. Remove any odors that your carpet is holding by having them cleaned. Or, you can rent a carpet cleaner and tackle the job yourself. Cleaning your carpets will also ensure that they're stain-free.

9. Clean Appliances Inside and Out
   All of the major appliances in your home (the refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer) should all be thoroughly cleaned. After vacuuming the outside surfaces, clean them so that they're free of stains and fingerprints. Then, turn your attention to the inside of the appliance. Clean your fridge and freezer out so that they aren't crammed full of stuff. Wipe down every interior surface. For old stubborn spills, you can usually remove the shelves in your fridge to better soak and clean them. 

Are you ready to put your home on the market? Contact us to speak with a real estate agent!