If you’ve just put your house up for sale, then you know how difficult it can be to keep it clean every day while you’re still living in it. This is arguably the most challenging aspect of selling a house, especially if you have kids and/or pets that seem to make it their mission to undo the work that you do.

To help you along, we’ve put together a short guide on how to clean your house before selling it. Our goal is to help you make a good impression so that you can sell your house as quickly as possible and without feeling overwhelmed. Read on for more.

Take care of the little things

There are certain non-negotiable tasks that you must perform every day to keep your house ready for viewings at a moment’s notice.  This includes:

• Washingthe dishes and making sure there are no dirty dishes in the sink.
• Picking up all the dirty clothes and placing them into the laundry hamper. Make sure to brief your kids about this rule so they’re not leaving their dirty socks lying around.

Declutter

Get rid of the extra stuff you don’t need to make yourhouse more spacious and inviting. We know it’s tough to say goodbye to “stuff” but in this case it’s absolutely necessary. Start by getting rid of items that you don’t use anymore. This includes things like old books you know you won’t ever read again, old DVDs and even décor trinkets. If you have a lot of things to get rid of, consider a rental dumpster to make decluttering easier

Deep clean the bathroom

A spotless bathroom is a huge selling point for potential buyers. The goal is to help them feel at home knowing that they could take a shower or brush their teeth in your bathroom with nothing to worry about.

This means cleaning up all the soap scum from your tub and tiles, and getting rid of the mould and mildew in your shower and/or toilet. Consider changing out your shower curtain or bathmat as well to make it look extra clean.

Clean your windows

One of the biggest selling points for a house is having an abundance of natural light. The best way to achieve this is to clean your windows and keep them open so there’s no obstruction to the natural light coming in.

Wipes surfaces every day

Keep wet wipes underneath the kitchen sink so you can wipe down the counter and kitchen cabinets every morning before you leave for work. That way, buyers can walk into a sparkling clean kitchen that smells fresh no matter what time of day they arrive for a viewing.  Lysol and Clorox wipes work best for this purpose and you can just throw them in the trash when you’re done.

Use magic erasers

This particular invention is a life-saver for any home owner. You can use them to get rid of stubborn scuff marks on the wall, dog slobber, marks on the baseboards and anything else that might jeopardise your ability to make a good impression on potential buyers. Magic erasers are generally safe for any and all surfaces and they’re quite affordable too, especially if you buy them in bulk.

Focus on walls, baseboards and vents

Cleaning the light switch plates, vents and baseboards will make a huge difference in your home’s appearance. Not only will it show that you pay attention to detail, but it’ll definitely impress picky buyers.

Welcome mats

Even if you already have a welcome mat outside of your front door, you’ll want to buy one for the inside as well. Why? Having two welcome mats will minimise the amount of dirt that people can track into your house, thus making it easier for you to keep the floor clean.

Use paper plates and plastic silverware

While your house is for sale, consider using disposable plates and plastic silverware so you’re not stuck doing the dishes after every meal time.

Invest in large wicker baskets

Purchase a wicker basket for each room ofthe house. That way, you can go around and pick up all the nick-knacks that tend to accumulate and throw them into the wicker basket. This is a great way to keep kids’ toys, shoes and stray magazines out of sight when you have to prepare for a last-minute viewing.

Pick a designated “hiding spot”

If all else fails, find a “secret” place in your house where you can put stuff away just in case you have a last minute showing. This could be your closet, under the bed or inside a basket with a lid. The goal is to find a place where you can hide the stuffduring the showing, and then take it out and organise it afterward.

Conclusion

Whether you’re moving up or sizing down, it’s imperative that you keep your house clean for prospective buyers. We hope the tips in this article will make it easier for you to maintain your house in ship-shape, so you can attract a quality buyer.

Don’t have time to do it all on your own? Consider hiring professionals like Kleenit house cleaning, who’ll get your house ready for a showing in a jiffy!