The hour before the moving truck arrives is the only hour you'll ever have an empty home with full access to every surface. Use it. A proper move-in clean — done before a single box is unpacked — saves you weeks of "I'll get to that later" and starts the home on the right foot.
Here's the room-by-room checklist Denver renters and buyers should run through (or hire out) before moving day, plus what it costs in 2026.
Before You Start
- Replace HVAC filter (Denver's dust load is heavy — this matters)
- Test smoke detectors and CO detectors; replace batteries
- Change all exterior door locks or re-key (especially for purchases)
- Run the dishwasher empty on hot with a cup of vinegar
- Run the washing machine empty on hot with a cleaner tab
Kitchen
- Inside oven (including racks) and under burners
- Inside microwave
- Inside fridge and freezer (toss any leftover ice, sanitize the icemaker bin)
- Inside every cabinet and drawer — wipe and reline if desired
- Behind and under the fridge and stove (you'll never have this access again)
- Sink, faucet, and disposal (drop in baking soda + vinegar, run hot water)
- Counters, backsplash, and grout
- Range hood filter (degreaser + hot water soak)
Bathrooms
- Toilet — bowl, base, behind, and the seat hinges
- Tub and shower — full grout scrub and showerhead descale (Denver water has light scale)
- Vanity inside and out, including drawers
- Mirror, fixtures, light covers
- Vent fan cover (pop off, vacuum, wipe)
- Floors and baseboards
Bedrooms and Common Areas
- Wipe baseboards, door frames, doors, and switch plates throughout
- Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Wipe blinds and inside window sills
- Vacuum carpets — consider professional carpet cleaning before furniture goes in
- Mop all hard floors
- Wipe inside closets and shelving
What You Can Skip
- Windows (do this once after you've unpacked and know the worst ones)
- Garage floor (it'll be a staging area for a week regardless)
- Patio furniture and outdoor (wait until weather is right — Denver hail season is real)
Denver Move-In Cleaning Cost (2026)
If you hire it out (recommended for purchases and any home that's been vacant more than a week):
- Studio / 1BR: $225–$275
- 2BR: $315–$385
- 3BR+: $415–$525
- 4BR+ or large lot homes: $525–$695
Move-in cleans are billed as deep cleans because they include inside-of-appliance and baseboard detail. Most Denver move-ins take 4–6 hours for a 2–3BR home with a small team.
The 24-Hour Window
The single biggest tip: schedule the clean for the morning of move-in day, before the truck arrives. Hiring a cleaner for the day after — once boxes are stacked everywhere — costs the same but delivers half the value.
Book a Denver Move-In Clean
You can book a move-in clean for any morning slot, including same-week. Pricing is published and includes everything in this checklist.