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Sample checklist for opening a house on Martha's Vineyard

Preview: an example of a checklist a cleaning company might use. Not a service we provide.

Every company works from its own list. Use this one to compare what companies offer, or to agree the scope of an opening clean with the company you hire.

Walk through on arrival

  • Open the windows and let the house air out.
  • Look for droppings or nests before anything is swept. The CDC advises airing the space for 30 minutes, then spraying droppings with a bleach solution or an EPA registered disinfectant instead of sweeping or vacuuming them. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Note damp patches, stains and musty rooms for the owner. The EPA says the key to mold control is moisture control. Source: US Environmental Protection Agency
  • Note anything broken, leaking or out of place, and tell the owner before cleaning around it.

Kitchen

  • Wipe the cabinets and drawers inside and out.
  • Clean the refrigerator, the oven, the microwave and the dishwasher.
  • Wash the counters, the backsplash and the sink.
  • Wash dishes that were stored open over the winter.

Bathrooms

  • Clean the tubs, the showers, the toilets and the sinks.
  • Clean the mirrors and wipe the fixtures.
  • Check under the sinks for leaks or damp.
  • Put out fresh towels.

Bedrooms and living areas

  • Dust the shelves, the sills, the ledges and the light fixtures.
  • Vacuum the floors, the rugs and the upholstery.
  • Make up the beds with fresh linens.
  • Clean the inside of the windows that can be reached from the floor.

Porches and outside

  • Sweep the porches, the decks and the outdoor shower.
  • Wipe the outdoor furniture.
  • Empty and rinse the trash cans.

Before leaving

  • Empty the trash inside the house.
  • Close and lock the windows unless the owner asked otherwise.
  • Send the owner a short note of what was done and what needs attention.