Cleaning an apartment before moving in: 5 areas to check in your new home

You have signed the lease, collected the keys and the flat looked spotless at the viewing. Once the rooms are empty, however, you often notice dust on top of the cupboards, crumbs in the drawers and limescale in the shower. Cleaning an apartment before moving in is the one chance to reach every corner while it is empty – and in Switzerland, the first days in a new flat are also the time to document any defects properly.

Here are the five areas of your new apartment to check and clean, plus the paperwork that protects you when you move out one day.

Why cleaning an apartment before moving in makes sense

In Switzerland, the previous tenant usually hands over a thoroughly cleaned apartment and it is inspected by the property management. In most cases, the result is good. But standards differ, the handover may have been rushed, and a few days between handover and your move can mean fresh dust from painters or tradespeople.

More importantly: you will eat from these cupboards and sleep in these rooms. Many people simply want to clean with their own hands – or have it done professionally – before their belongings arrive.

Before you clean: check and document

This step is easy to forget in the excitement of moving, and it matters later. According to ch.ch, defects should be listed in the handover protocol when moving in, and defects discovered afterwards should be reported to the landlord in writing.

1. Walk through every room with the move-in protocol in hand.
2. Photograph scratches, stains, damaged tiles, marks on walls, and dirt that was not removed.
3. Test taps, drains, the oven, extractor hood, blinds and windows.
4. Send any additional defects to the property management in writing, ideally soon after moving in.

1. Kitchen cupboards and drawers

Kitchen cupboards collect crumbs, grease and sometimes old packaging residue.

• Remove shelves where possible and wipe them with warm water and washing-up liquid.
• Clean inside the drawers, including the runners.
• Wipe the top of the upper cupboards – grease and dust settle there unseen.
• Leave doors open to dry before putting in dishes or food.

Check corners for signs of pantry moths or other insects; if you find anything, tell the property management.

2. Kitchen appliances

Even if the appliances were cleaned, check them before first use.

• Oven: trays, racks and door glass.
• Fridge and freezer: wipe inside, clean the seals and check the small drain hole at the back.
• Dishwasher: remove and rinse the filter, wipe the door seal, run an empty hot cycle.
• Extractor hood: check the grease filter – a greasy filter is a fire risk and should be cleaned.
• Hob: clean with a soft cloth and hob cleaner.

3. Bathroom and toilet

The bathroom is where hidden residue is most common.

1. Descale taps, shower head and glass with a citric acid solution.
2. Clean the toilet thoroughly, including under the rim and around the seat hinges.
3. Check silicone joints: dark spots in joints are worth photographing and reporting.
4. Clean the mirror cabinet inside and out.
5. Run water into every drain to fill the traps and check for smells.

4. Vents, radiators and light fittings

These are the spots almost nobody cleans – and where dust from the previous tenancy lingers.

• Ventilation grilles in bathroom and kitchen: remove the cover if possible, wash it and vacuum the opening.
• Radiators: use a radiator brush or vacuum nozzle between the fins before the heating season starts.
• Light fittings and switches: wipe with a barely damp cloth, with the power off for fittings.
• Skirting boards and door frames: a damp microfibre cloth is enough.

5. Windows, blinds and floors

Finish with the surfaces that get dirty while you work.

• Clean window glass, frames and sills inside, and outside where it is safe to reach.
• Lower the blinds and dust the slats before wet cleaning.
• Clean built-in wardrobes inside, including rails and shelves.
• Clean the apartment floors last, according to the material – no excess water on parquet.

The federal portal's moving checklist is a helpful companion for everything else around moving day, from registering with your commune to changing your address. You may also find our moving checklist for Switzerland useful.

Common mistakes

• Cleaning before documenting: Photos of dirt the previous tenant left are more useful than a clean flat with no record.
• Moving furniture in first: Afterwards, you cannot reach inside wardrobes or behind appliances easily.
• Using harsh products on unknown surfaces: Test on a hidden spot, especially on natural stone, parquet and worktops.
• Waiting months to report defects: Report them promptly and in writing.
• Forgetting to air: Fresh paint and cleaning products need ventilation.

Priority Clean editorial teamOur cleaning team from Alberswil, Canton of Lucerne, shares hands-on experience from move-out, house, office and window cleaning across Central and Northwestern Switzerland.