Why cleanliness matters to buyers
Buyers can't see the state of the roof or the drains on a viewing, but they can see a grubby oven and limescale on the taps. Fairly or not, a home that looks well cleaned suggests a home that's been well looked after. Mess and dirt also make rooms look smaller and distract from features you want people to notice.
Declutter first
It's much easier to clean a room with less in it, and it makes rooms photograph better. Clear worktops, put away toiletries, thin out bookshelves and wardrobes, and move excess furniture into storage if you can. Start packing things you won't need before the move. Our decluttering guide can help.
Before the photographs
The estate agent's photos do more work than any viewing, so this is when to do your big clean. Focus on what the camera picks up:
- Windows inside and out – clean glass lets in more light
- Kitchen worktops, hob and the front of appliances
- Bathroom mirrors, taps, glass screens and toilet
- Floors, carpets and rugs
- Light fittings – dusty shades show up in photos
- Front door, step and path, which appear in the main photo
The areas buyers inspect
On viewings, people open things. They look inside the oven, open kitchen cupboards and wardrobes, look in the shower and check under the sink. Clean these properly once, then keep on top of them while you're on the market.
Smells matter too. Cooking smells, pet odours, damp and smoke put buyers off. Ventilate, clean soft furnishings and empty bins before viewings. Avoid masking smells with strong air fresheners – buyers often notice and wonder what's being covered up.
Get quotes from local cleaners
Outside
Kerb appeal starts at the pavement. Sweep the path, clean the front door and its glass, remove weeds, tidy the bins and clean the windows outside. If you have a conservatory, cleaning the roof makes a big difference.
Room-by-room priorities
If time is short, put most effort into the rooms buyers care about most:
| Room | Focus on |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Oven, hob, worktops, cupboard doors, sink and taps |
| Bathrooms | Limescale, grout, sealant, mirrors and the toilet |
| Living room | Windows, carpets, clutter and light fittings |
| Bedrooms | Clear floors and surfaces, make beds, clean windows |
| Hallway | Floor, skirting boards, front door and coats and shoes |
| Outside | Front path, bins, front door and windows |
Where to focus your effort before selling
Keeping it viewing-ready
The hardest part of selling while living in a home is keeping it presentable for weeks or months. A regular weekly or fortnightly clean helps, combined with a 15-minute tidy before each viewing. Keep a basket handy to collect clutter quickly, and agree a routine with everyone in the house.
Pets can be a challenge. Wash their bedding regularly, vacuum often and consider taking them out during viewings.
Is a professional deep clean worth it?
If your home hasn't had a deep clean in a while, a professional deep clean before photos can be one of the most cost-effective things you do when selling. It covers kitchens and bathrooms thoroughly, inside cupboards, skirting boards and the areas that make a home look tired. Add carpet cleaning if carpets are looking flat or marked. See what's included in a deep clean and our deep cleaning prices.
After that, a regular clean while the property is on the market keeps it viewing-ready without much effort.
