How to Clean a House Quickly Before Selling

How to clean a house fast.

A clean home is the dream home. That’s my advice if you’re looking to sell your house fast. When it comes to selling homes, cleanliness is like godliness. And there’s no rocket science behind this.

You need a clean property:

  • For showings and open houses.
  • To attract and impress buyers.
  • To get an offer.

Unfortunately, time restraints can cause turbulence when it comes to deep cleaning a house before selling. Therefore, it’s essential to streamline the cleaning routine. I call this “the quick cleaning boot camp”.

What exactly do you do in this boot camp, Alex?

Creative cleaning techniques to sell a house fast.

Over time, Jon and I realized that clients who wanted to sell their homes fast were not always prepared before showings. Even with flipped homes, a deep clean was not always possible. So, we devised quick cleaning methods.

Step 1: Dusting

I am NOT a fan of dusting. I’ll vacuum the entire house, but I won’t dust it. And that’s an essential step to cleaning a property quickly. You need to dust all rooms and surfaces, including the undersides of cabinets and cupboards. If possible, try to dry-dust instead of wetting.

Step 2: Wipe Surfaces

Jon’s cleaning guide takes a special interest in wiping surfaces. “It gives me peace”, is how he describes wiping surfaces. “If I am under a time crunch, I take out the disinfectant wipes and start with the dirtiest surfaces. During such a time, I prioritize the surfaces. My top two choices are the bathroom and the kitchen. Since I am aware that buyers will spend most of their time in these two spaces, they need attention.”

Step 3: Clean Floors

For tiled floors, use a microfiber cloth to remove dirt and grime. For carpeted floors, the vacuum cleaner is your best friend. “I recently found the swisher that comes with extra wet pipes, and it has been a dream. It’s easy to use and collects all the crumbs that may go unnoticed during the day.”

Tips To Clean A Property Quickly When Selling

Cleaning tips to sell a house fast.

At one of our monthly meetings, our entire team shared ideas on how to quickly clean the property before it is sold.

“I keep a cleaning caddy handy with all the main supplies (duster, sponge, spray, disinfectant wipes). The caddy works as a holy grail for a swift clean.”

Jennifer (Agent)

“I advise clients to remove the unnecessary items from the property that can collect dust. It saves time and energy, and when my staging team comes in, it makes the job easier.”

Stella (Stager)

Impact of A Clean Home on The Buyer

Prospective buyers scan the property from top to bottom. A dirty or messy open house will be an immediate turn-off for any buyer. Hence, real estate professionals pay extra attention to staging the open house.

Here’s what a buyer may feel on seeing a clean property:

  • A prospective buyer may think the property appears to be brand new.
  • A clean property is more attractive.
  • A decluttered home acts as a blank canvas for buyers to imagine their lives.

Common Supplies Needed To Clean A House Quickly

Cleaning tips for a quick sale.

Jon has always maintained “that cleaning a house is easier and quicker when all the necessary supplies are handy.” Here are the main things you may need:

  • Sponge
  • Cotton rags
  • Disinfectant spray
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Glass purifier
  • Rubber gloves
  • Floor wipes

Summary

Keeping a house clean can get cumbersome. But it could lead to a faster sale.

Picture of Alex Capozzolo

Alex Capozzolo

Co-founder of Brotherly Love Real Estate, Alex Capozzolo, is recognized as a trusted real estate expert in the greater Philadelphia, PA market. Alex, and his partner Jon Sanborn, have been buying houses in Philly for eight-plus years. They’ve helped +100 families successfully sell their houses. Alex and Jon continue to be viewed as reliable resources in the real estate industry.