You’ve collected the keys, snapped the hand-over selfie and parked a van full of boxes outside—now what? Before the first mug goes into a cupboard, give your new Perth home a reset that scrubs away old germs, allergens and trade dust. This checklist walks you through the must-do tasks in the first 24 hours, plus quick wins that make settling in a breeze.

Why clean before you unpack?

• Health first – Builders’ silica dust and the previous tenant’s bacteria linger on high-touch surfaces.
• Allergen control – Perth’s coastal pollen and red sand hide in vents and carpets.
• Long-term savings – Sealing grout and timber now prevents costly repairs later.

A few hours of elbow grease (or a pro crew) can save days of “I’ll get to it” frustration.

24-Hour Move-In Cleaning Timeline

• Crack windows – Air out paint fumes and cleaning-product smells.
• Dust top-down – Ceiling fans → cornices → skirting boards.
• Sanitise “touch points” – Door knobs, light switches, tap handles.
• Kitchen deep-clean – Inside cabinets then appliances.
• Bathroom blitz – Disinfect toilet, descale shower, re-silicone if needed.
• Floor finale – Vacuum with HEPA filter, then mop or steam.
• Seal & protect – Grout, benchtops, timber (details below).

Room-by-Room Checklist

Kitchen

• Remove shelf liners and crumbs, spray with food-safe degreaser.
• Pull stove forward; vacuum crumbs and inspect gas hose.
• Soak rangehood filters in hot water + dish soap, then rinse.
• Run an empty dishwasher cycle with a cup of white vinegar.

Bathrooms

• Spray citric-acid cleaner on shower glass; wait 5 minutes, then squeegee.
• Disinfect toilet hinge bolts—not just the seat.
• Replace silicone if mould spots won’t budge (30-minute DIY).

Bedrooms & Living

• Vacuum wardrobes and wipe rails; dust can fall on freshly hung clothes.
• Check air-con filters; wash and dry before reinstalling.
• Steam carpets at 105 °C if the previous occupants had pets.

Entry & Outdoor

• Sweep cobwebs off porch lights.
• Hose down bin area; sprinkle bicarb to neutralise odours.

Surfaces to seal before furniture arrives

• Porous stone benchtops (e.g., marble, granite) – Apply penetrating sealer; prevents wine rings.
• Grout lines – Spray-on grout sealer keeps red WA dirt out.
• Raw jarrah floors – Buff in pH-neutral polish; avoids water marks during winter humidity.

Sealers need 12–24 h cure time, so start early.

Essential supplies (Perth edition)

– HEPA vacuum (captures coastal pollen)
– Microfibre cloths (grab sand without scratching glass)
– pH-neutral floor cleaner (safe for jarrah and bamboo)
– Citric-acid gel (beats hard-water stains from scheme water)
– Penetrating grout/stone sealer
– Step ladder + dust mask

No time to shop? A pro service arrives with everything—including DI-water window poles for streak-free glass.

When to call professionals

• You’re moving from interstate and can’t attend in person.
• The property needs carpet steam + pest treatment certificates.
• Renovation dust coats walls and vent ducts.

Our crews handle full pre-move cleans with eco detergents and AI-optimised scheduling—see scope here: End-of-Lease & Move-In Cleaning Perth.