New home or not, no space in Singapore sits untouched for long. Between renovation dust, building grime and whatever the previous occupants left behind, even a unit that looks clean on move-in day rarely is. A thorough clean before you unpack protects your health, your belongings and the surfaces you are about to live with every day.
Here are the 10 areas that deserve attention before anything else.
1. Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers
Before anything goes into your kitchen storage, take everything out and clean it. Previous tenants or renovation workers may have left behind dust, grease residue or debris inside cabinet interiors that are easy to miss on a walkthrough. Wipe down all interior surfaces with a mild antibacterial solution, paying particular attention to hinges and corners where grime tends to collect. It is also a good practice to line drawers before restocking them.
Tip: Remove and clean cabinet hinges individually if they feel stiff or show visible residue build-up.
2. The Refrigerator
Even a brand-new refrigerator benefits from a wipe-down before use, as units are often handled and stored in warehouses before delivery. For homes inheriting an existing fridge, clean every shelf, drawer and seal with a solution of warm water and white vinegar—this solution can neutralise odours without leaving chemical residue near food. Pay close attention to the rubber door gasket where mould can develop undetected.
Tip: Place an open box of baking soda on the middle shelf once clean to absorb any lingering odours.
3. The Toilet
The toilet should be cleaned thoroughly before first use, covering the bowl, seat, lid, base and the area around the floor fitting. In newly renovated homes, fine dust and debris can settle inside the bowl during construction. In resale properties, the entire unit warrants a proper disinfection. Do not overlook the underside of the rim, where bacteria accumulate easily and aren’t usually reached by a standard clean.
Tip: Replace the toilet seat if the unit is a resale property, as it is one of the most cost-effective hygiene improvements you can make.
4. Bathroom Tiles and Grout
Grout is porous, which means it absorbs moisture, soap scum and bacteria over time. Even in a relatively new bathroom, grout lines can harbour mould or mildew that is not immediately visible. Scrub tiles and grout lines with a stiff brush and an appropriate cleaning agent before you begin using the bathroom daily, as it is significantly harder to restore grout once regular use begins.
Tip: Apply a grout sealer after cleaning to slow down future staining and make maintenance easier long-term.
5. Light Switches and Door Handles
High-touch surfaces like light switches, door handles and intercom buttons are among the most bacteria-laden spots in any home. They are also among the least frequently cleaned. In a home that has just changed hands, these surfaces carry traces of everyone who has been through the space during renovation, viewings and handover. Wipe them down with a disinfectant solution before you begin using them daily.
Tip: Do not overlook the bathroom flush handle, tap faucets and the inside of the front door lock.
6. Storage Spaces and Built-In Wardrobes
Built-in wardrobes and storage areas, including bomb shelters and utility rooms, are frequently skipped during move-in cleans. They can carry sawdust, paint residue or in older properties, a musty smell from lack of ventilation. Wipe down all internal surfaces and allow them to air out thoroughly. Like your cabinets, you might even want to line the shelves before storing anything. Clothes and linens placed directly into uncleaned wardrobes can pick up odours that are difficult to remove later.
Tip: Leave wardrobe doors open for at least 24 hours after cleaning to allow the interior to dry and ventilate fully before use.
7. Window Tracks and Frames
Window tracks are narrow, overlooked and usually full of grime, dead insects and debris by the time a property changes hands. Frames can carry mould in corners where condensation settles, particularly in Singapore’s humidity. A stiff brush and a vacuum work well on tracks before a damp wipe, and frames should be cleaned with a mould-inhibiting solution if any discolouration is present.
Tip: Check that all windows open and close smoothly after cleaning. Debris in tracks can cause frames to warp over time if left unaddressed.
8. Walls and Skirting Boards
Before the furniture arrives, take a closer look at the walls. Walls accumulate scuff marks, dust and splatter at a rate most people underestimate, especially in kitchens and near entranceways. Skirting boards, meanwhile, are rarely cleaned and often carry a visible layer of construction dust in newly renovated units. Wiping down walls with a damp cloth and cleaning skirting boards before furniture goes in takes a fraction of the time it would take once the room is set up.
Tip: Use a magic eraser for scuff marks on painted walls, testing on an inconspicuous patch first.
9. Flooring
Floors need more than a sweep before move-in. Renovation units often have a layer of fine dust embedded in the edges that only becomes visible once furniture is in place. For vinyl, tile and parquet floors, a proper deep clean before move-in protects the finish and removes any residue from construction materials. Pay particular attention to corners and the areas beneath fixed fittings.
Tip: For parquet floors, avoid excessive moisture during cleaning and use a product formulated specifically for wood to prevent swelling.
10. Air Conditioning Units
Air conditioning filters collect dust, allergens and in older units, mould. Imagine all of it circulating through your home every time the system runs. To avoid unpleasant indoor air conditions, before moving in, have the filters removed and cleaned or replaced, and check that the drainage tray is clear. In Singapore’s climate, a neglected aircon unit can affect air quality noticeably within weeks, and even newly installed systems in brand new homes should be checked for residual renovation and construction dust.
Tip: Schedule a professional aircon servicing before your first night in the new place, not after you have been living with it for a month.
A Clean Start? The Best Kind
Moving into a new home is already a logistical undertaking. Adding a thorough pre-move clean to the list, across 10 areas that each require proper time and attention, is a reasonable thing to hand off.
Dustaway’s post-renovation and tenancy cleaning service is built for exactly this. When you engage with our service, a professional team of two to four or more trained cleaners works through your entire home methodically, covering every room, fixture and surface before you unpack a single box. All cleaning supplies and equipment are provided, and the service is available for HDB flats, condominiums and landed properties across Singapore. Get in touch with Dustaway for a personalised quote and start life in your new home the right way.
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