You are about to move, and despair fills you every time you think about the size of the task ahead. The big clean seems a necessity, a fate, a curse.

Since moving into your flat, you have had any number of good and bad times that only you and it know about. For months or years, your home has hosted all kinds of events and surprises. It is time to give thanks and restore it to its former glory.

It is already time to hand the keys back to your landlord, and you need to move your belongings and then give your soon-to-be former home the biggest clean it has ever had. But where to start? Here is a list to make this laborious task easier.

1 – Empty everything

This is not obvious to everyone, especially if it is your first move. If that is the case, it is better, to save time, to empty the whole flat before starting the cleaning. That way you will not be back with your vacuum cleaner after moving the sofa for the third time.

2 – The bathroom and toilet

This is certainly the room that will give you the most trouble, because of the many surfaces that need cleaning thoroughly.

Make sure you scrub all the tiles and sanitary ware with suitable products and dust all the shelves, furniture and the washing machine if it is in this room. If your hot water tank is in this room, this is also the time to make it shine.

Do not forget to check the mirror: often in the middle of the room and easily dirtied, it needs special attention so it does not spoil the result.

3 – The kitchen

It is the heart of the home. Life without it would be very dull. To say goodbye to your old kitchen properly, you will need to:

• Defrost and clean your fridge (at least the day before you leave)
• Clean the worktops, cupboards, drawers and shelves (inside and out)
• Clean the oven and all other household appliances
• Degrease and clean the cooker hood.

4 – The floors

To clean the floors, sweep or vacuum, then wash the tiles or shampoo the carpet.

5 – The walls

In most cases there is no need to wash the walls, as the landlord often prefers to repaint. If not, make sure you remove all traces of your stay, starting by degreasing the kitchen walls with a suitable product.

Remove all the nails and hooks you put up during your stay.

If you have damaged a wall (large hole), fill it with filler and repaint the area.

Do not forget to clean the windows and skirting boards.

6 – The finishing touches

Finally, here are the last touches, the ones that will let your home rest in peace:

• Check the condition of the flat and any remaining furniture and compare it with the inspection report
• Check the condition of the outbuildings and annexes
• Fit bulbs in any light fittings that are missing them
• Gather all the keys together
• Photograph every room to avoid any unfair claims by the landlord

And there you go: the big clean is over and you are ready to move into your new home!

If you have not moved yet, the Eureka team will be delighted to help you with this important step in your life. We are available for all kinds of questions and requests, so do not hesitate to call on us.