Your move in cleaning checklist should start before the first box is opened. Photograph the empty home, finish any dusty maintenance, then clean from high surfaces down: AC grilles and ledges first, cupboards and bathrooms next, floors last. In a Dubai apartment or villa, give window tracks, balcony dust and kitchen storage a place on the list too. Print this guide, take it room by room, and keep cleaning supplies outside until the final floor has dried.
Move in cleaning checklist: the right order
Before you start
- Walk through the empty property and photograph existing marks, leaks, damage and anything that needs attention. Do this before cleaning makes a problem harder to see.
- Note repairs and raise them with the landlord or property manager in writing. Dubai Land Department’s tenant guide advises documenting the property’s condition at handover with photos or video and making maintenance requests in writing.
- Arrange electricity and water activation if needed. DEWA’s move-in service explains the activation step; it is separate from cleaning.
- Check whether any painting, drilling, sealing or AC maintenance is still due. Schedule dusty jobs before your final clean.
- Ask about building access, lift bookings and balcony access before arranging cleaners or deliveries. Keep shared corridors clear while you work.
Why this order? You do not want fresh paint dust on a newly mopped floor, and an empty property is easier to document than one full of furniture.
Work from high to low
- Remove loose dust from ceilings, vents, light fittings and upper ledges.
- Wipe reachable vertical surfaces, switches, doors and storage interiors.
- Clean kitchen and bathroom fixtures, then glass and tracks.
- Sweep or vacuum every floor, including edges; mop suitable hard flooring last.
- Let surfaces dry before putting food, toiletries or clothes away.
Treat this as a sequence, not a demand to do everything at once. If boxes arrive early, keep them stacked in one clean area rather than spreading them across rooms you have not finished.
Whole-home tasks before the rooms fill up
Ceilings, AC grilles and high surfaces
- Dust reachable ceiling corners, light fittings and the tops of doors and built-in wardrobes. Use a stable step stool rather than standing on furniture.
- Wipe accessible AC supply and return grilles with a slightly damp cloth. Keep moisture out of electrical components and do not spray cleaner into the unit.
- If a filter is designed for occupant access, follow the unit’s instructions for removing and cleaning it. If you cannot identify or reach it safely, leave it to building maintenance or an HVAC specialist.
- Flag persistent odours, visible moisture around the AC or airflow problems for maintenance rather than trying to clean inside ducts yourself.
- Dust skirting boards, reachable wall marks, door frames and the tops of fixed shelves before tackling the floor.
Why do this now? AC grilles and high ledges can drop dust onto everything beneath them. Accessible surface cleaning is different from opening or servicing an AC system.
Touchpoints and hidden edges
- Wipe handles, switches, cupboard pulls, intercom handsets and reachable thermostat exteriors with a cloth suitable for the surface. Do not soak switches or controls.
- Clean doors around handles, wardrobe tracks, skirting edges and corners where dust gathers behind future furniture.
- Check under fixed cabinets and around pipe openings for debris; note gaps or leaks that need maintenance.
Why do this now? These spots are easier to reach while rooms are empty, and they are the first surfaces you will touch while unpacking.
Kitchen: clean storage before food goes in
Cupboards, drawers and worktops
- Remove any shelf liners or leftover items. Photograph damage before disposing of anything that might belong to the property.
- Vacuum or sweep crumbs and grit from empty cupboards and drawers, paying attention to rear corners, hinges and runners.
- Wipe inside shelves, cupboard doors and handles with a suitable cleaner. Rinse food-contact areas if the product label directs you to.
- Leave doors and drawers open until completely dry. Add your own liners only after checking that the surfaces beneath are clean and dry.
- Wipe worktops, backsplash edges and the area behind taps. Use a product suitable for the finish; avoid abrasive pads on delicate surfaces.
Why do this now? Once plates, food and utensils are inside, cleaning the back of a cupboard becomes a much bigger job. Dry storage also makes it easier to spot any later leak.
Sink and appliances
- Clean the sink, tap base and accessible drain cover. Check under the sink for drips while the cupboard is empty; report any leak.
- If a hob and extractor are fitted, wipe their accessible surfaces and removable parts according to the appliance instructions. Do not dismantle electrical components.
- Clean the fridge’s accessible shelves, seals and handles before switching it on or stocking it. Check that it is dry and operating as expected.
- Wipe accessible oven and microwave interiors, then appliance exteriors. If there is heavy baked-on residue, plan that as a separate, more involved task.
- Mop the kitchen floor only after the upper surfaces and appliances are finished.
Why do this now? You can check fitted appliances and the space around them without shifting food or cookware. If you are comparing a routine visit with a more involved reset, read how to choose between deep and regular home cleaning.
Bathrooms: finish fixtures before toiletries arrive
Sanitaryware and storage
- Dust the extractor grille’s reachable exterior and upper ledges first. Leave internal fan cleaning to appropriate maintenance.
- Empty and wipe vanity cupboards and drawers, including around hinges and plumbing cut-outs. Check for damp patches or active leaks.
- Clean the basin, tap, counter, mirror and reachable wall tiles. Use products suitable for the surfaces and follow their instructions.
- Clean the toilet, including the seat hinges, outer bowl, flush plate and floor around the base. Use separate cloths for the toilet and other fixtures.
- Clean the shower or bath, fittings and accessible drain cover. Remove visible hair and debris without forcing anything into the drain.
- Check silicone, grout and the area beneath the sink. Report damaged seals, persistent leaks or slow drainage instead of covering up the problem.
Why do this now? Empty shelves are simple to clean, and a clear view of plumbing and seals helps you distinguish dirt from a maintenance issue. Let everything dry before storing towels or toiletries.
Bedrooms and living areas: make space for unpacking
Wardrobes, shelves and floors
- Wipe wardrobe interiors from the top shelf down, including rails, drawer runners and door tracks. Allow them to dry before hanging clothes.
- Dust accessible sockets, switches, window sills and built-in shelving without spraying liquid into electrical fittings.
- Vacuum floor edges and corners that will soon sit behind beds, sofas and desks. Check for leftover fasteners or glass before moving furniture in.
- Clean interior doors and handles, then vacuum or sweep the centre of each room.
- Mop suitable hard floors with an appropriate product and a lightly damp mop. Follow flooring guidance where provided, especially for timber or laminate.
Why do this now? Beds and wardrobes make edges hard to reach. Clean storage and a dry floor give you a sensible place to put belongings as they come out of boxes.
For a villa, repeat this group upstairs and downstairs, and include any study, utility room or internal stairs. Start at the highest level so you are not carrying dust back across finished rooms.
Windows, tracks and balconies: handle Dubai dust separately
Interior glass and window tracks
- Dust blinds and reachable window frames before cleaning the glass.
- Vacuum loose sand and debris from accessible window and sliding-door tracks. Use a small brush for corners, then wipe and dry the tracks.
- Clean inside glass with a suitable cloth and cleaner. Check whether any marks are actually on the outside before spending time scrubbing the interior.
- Keep water away from electrical sockets, motorised blinds and any track opening where it could enter the property.
Why do this now? Tracks can hold grit that you will otherwise drag indoors each time a door opens. If a sandstorm arrives after your move, use this room-by-room Dubai sandstorm cleaning checklist for the follow-up clean.
Balcony or terrace
- Confirm the balcony is accessible and check any building restrictions before washing it. Never push water or debris over an edge or into a neighbouring space.
- Sweep loose sand inward from corners and around the door threshold; collect it for disposal rather than washing it into a drain.
- Wipe reachable rail interiors, outdoor furniture and the inside face of the balcony door. Leave exterior or facade glass and anything beyond safe reach alone.
- Clean balcony flooring only with a method appropriate for its surface and drainage. Report a blocked drain or damaged tile rather than flooding the area.
Why do this now? Balcony grit travels straight into a clean living room on shoes or through an open door. Balcony cleaning and exterior glass also need to be planned separately from an ordinary indoor clean.
Final check before you unpack
Walk-through
- Look along floors and under fixed units for remaining dust, especially near entrances and sliding doors.
- Check that cupboard shelves, wardrobe rails and bathroom storage are dry before filling them.
- Run taps briefly and check visible pipework for leaks; raise any concerns with the property manager.
- Put away cleaning products safely, then bring in boxes room by room. Unpack kitchen items and bedding only into storage you have checked.
- Keep your handover photos and written maintenance requests together so you can distinguish pre-existing issues from anything that happens during the move.
Why finish with a walk-through? It is your last easy chance to reach empty corners. If you are also leaving a previous Dubai home, use the separate Dubai move-out cleaning checklist for that property; the two jobs have different priorities.
How LUMINA can help
If the property needs regular indoor cleaning before or after you unpack, LUMINA’s hourly home cleaning in Dubai can help with tasks that fit within the booked visit. Home cleaning is carried out by LUMINA’s own trained, employed cleaners, not freelancers. The online service does not include deep cleaning, move-out cleaning or specialist treatments; balcony cleaning and outside or facade glass are not covered, while inside glass can be cleaned within the visit time. Choose the hours, number of cleaners and optional supplies in the booking form, where you can see the exact total before payment.
Frequently asked questions
What should I clean first when moving into a new apartment?
Photograph and inspect the empty apartment first, then complete any dusty repairs. Start cleaning at high surfaces, including reachable AC grilles, and work down towards storage, fixtures and floors.
Should I clean a new apartment before unpacking?
Yes, if you can arrange access before your boxes arrive. Empty cupboards, wardrobe tracks and floor edges are much easier to clean before they are covered by belongings or furniture.
Should AC grilles or filters be cleaned before moving into a Dubai apartment?
Wipe dust from safely reachable AC grilles before cleaning the surfaces below them. Only remove a filter if it is intended for occupant access and you can follow the unit’s instructions; leave internal AC work to building maintenance or an HVAC specialist.
What should I clean inside kitchen cupboards before unpacking?
Remove loose debris, then wipe shelves, corners, doors, hinges and drawer runners. Let everything dry before putting food, crockery or shelf liners inside.
Do I need to clean the balcony and window tracks before moving in?
It is worth clearing accessible tracks and balcony grit before furniture and boxes arrive, as sand can be carried indoors. Check building restrictions, avoid pushing water or debris over an edge, and leave unsafe-to-reach glass alone.