The Easy Cleaning Checklist for a Staged Home That Will Impress Buyers

A messy, dirty home is an immediate red flag to buyers. Not only does it make the home less appealing, but it also gives buyers the impression that the home hasn’t been well cared for. One of the most important steps to getting your home ready for the market is giving it a thorough, deep cleaning and then maintaining it while it is listed.

Your realtor could call for a showing at any time, so it’s important that your home always be ready at the drop of a hat. It’s easy to do when you keep a simple checklist and run through it every day. Put cleaning supplies in a tote you can easily grab to make the process even more efficient.

Here’s a daily staged home cleaning checklist we recommend to keep your home ready to impress buyers at any moment.

Daily Staged Home Cleaning Checklist

Maintain the floors

The cleanliness of your floors says a lot about the home. Every day, vacuum the floors to get rid of dust and hair (especially if you have pets). It’s also good practice to mop hard surfaces regularly to polish them up and give your home a nice, fresh smell. Also, be sure to wipe down the baseboards, too, as they quickly collect dust and particles and give the home a messy appearance if they aren’t maintained.

Wipe down surfaces

Wipe down the kitchen counter, bathroom counters, and all other surfaces in the home, including the coffee table, end tables, console tables, and dining room table. They collect dust very quickly, so keep them polished every day.

Make the beds

An unmade bed instantly makes a bedroom look messy and unkept. Be sure to make your bed every morning and make sure your kids make theirs, too. It only takes a few minutes. This simple thing will make a big difference in how well your house shows to buyers.

Put away toiletries

Every morning, after you’ve used them, put away all toiletries such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, face cleansers, and hair products. These items create a very cluttered look in a bathroom and also remind buyers that they are walking through a stranger’s home. They’re very distracting and unattractive, so keep them stored in a cabinet while your home is on the market.

Straighten up the living areas

Be sure to put away electronics, blankets, remote controls, and anything else that was used and left out the night before. Any loose items will make the space look cluttered.

Put away pet supplies

If you have pets, it’s best to hide their supplies during showings. Some buyers instantly assume a home with pets is less clean than one without them, so it’s best to hide these items the best you can when you aren’t home.

Put away kids’ toys

Any items your kids used should be put away and organized. Don’t leave out toys and other supplies when you are showing your home. You can even get your kids involved with this step by giving them their own checklist and making the clean-up process as simple as possible with a special bin they can collect everything in while your home is on the market.