23 Deep Cleaning Tips on a Budget Before Selling a Home

[@MargeFitz]

First off, you are funny. But, sadly, I never learned to clean & I'm a senior citizen. I'm not selling my home but I appreciate your information. Maybe I'll be able to clean & feel confident about my home when people come over.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thank you for your kind words! It's never too late to learn how to clean, and I'm glad that my video was informative to you. Remember, cleaning doesn't have to be perfect, and the important thing is to create a clean and comfortable environment that you feel proud of. Don't be too hard on yourself, and take it one step at a time. You can do this! 😊

[@donnadagostino7717]

I am not planning on selling my house anytime soon, but I love to take good care of it. Thank you for this episode.😃

[@AskAngelaBrown]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@karynm3365]

I just got rid of all the blinds in my home. I just use curtains now since they are so much easier to clean! I got tired of cleaning all the blinds 2x a month.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Great idea!! I love this, and you're right, it reduces cleaning time. Thanks for sharing this tip. 👍

[@cathycoryell2351]

Tips to deep clean, several weeks prior to listing a home for sale: 1. Ceilings, Swiffer, reusable cloths, clean the ceilings. No chemicals, just damp with water. 2. Clean air vents. Replace air filters on hvac air system. 3. Popcorn ceilings use yellow swiffer, extender tool. 4. Oven, microwave, open and clean cooking appliances, consider an oven liner, fiberglass, if having open houses for a quick clean . Soak, and use plastic edge inside an oven. 5. Some buyers will ask for a professional cleaner to be done by the seller 6. Dust your tables, desks. Window sills. Flat surfaces. Damp cloths are useful for this. Buyers notice this and try to imply house is neglected. 7. Fireplace, use soft bristle brush. Vacuum when done 8. Toilets. Keep it clean. Wipe behind the toilet, and floor dust. Remove personal items from the vanity. 9. Keep water on, if house is for sale. It's needed for cleaning, and showings. Inspections to verify things are in working order. 10. Steam cleaner. It's excellent for deep cleaning, and chemical free. Will not irritate buyers. Avoid scented products 11. Wipe front of kitchen cabinets, especially the one that holds the trash can. 12. Deep clean under furniture. Silicone squeege or rake. Pet hair rake. 13. Recessed lighting, and inside lamps, and outside shades, use a swiffer duster. Use on top of fridge as well. Wipe tops of door frames. 14. Dust stair case, railings, Wipe all sides. 15. Plants. Dust them as well. Pinch off dead leaves. 16. Blinds. Clean, but leave open for natural light. Wipe sills, and top of trim. The end. Link takes you to all 23 tops.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Great list! Thanks so much for sharing this. I appreciate you! 😊

[@pjj.5649]

Angela, you never talk to much, how could you with the useful, information you share!!! I don't even have a house to sell, but I could think of 10 people I know who have homes/condo/coops they want to sell and I will be sending them to this video! Heck, this video is excellent for just daily living. I think if throughout the year, you treat your home as if you are about to sell it, in the long run you cut down on a lot of manhours, expense and repair/replacement. Thank you much, much, you are the absolute best!!!😇👌

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Oh wow, thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate this comment and that you want to share the video!! Feel free to share it. Thanks again for taking the time to comment and for watching the video! You are awesome!!🤗😊

[@newenglandcoast7121]

The ceilings. Today after showering I happened to look at the bathroom ceiling...OMG, it's filthy! The moisture seems to have attracted so much dirt, and now it's a mess! I love your idea of putting a cloth on the swiffer sweeper to clean the ceilings and baseboards! 👍👍

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Give it a try and let me know how it works out for you. 😊

[@starrynight1329]

I've never swept a ceiling or walls in my life (I have removed visible webs ect). I'm cleaning at my folks house today and now I can't wait to sweep those surfaces 😆.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

That’s great! Thanks for reaching out to leave a comment. 👍

[@k.6160]

Perfect timing that I found this video. Cleaning my mom's house now to put on the market in thr next 1-2 weeks. Thanks 👍So much stuff 😳

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Hope the video was helpful! Good luck with getting your mom's home ready. You got this!

[@nancybrody5896]

I have a handicap and I bought a very small “leaf blower” to blow out the dust behind my furniture. I let the dust settle and then vacuum it up! Works on carpet and tile.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

That's a great solution, and it's wonderful that you found a way to effectively clean behind your furniture despite any physical limitations you may have. Using a small leaf blower to blow out the dust and then vacuuming it up is a smart approach. It's important to ensure a clean living environment, and your method seems both practical and efficient for removing dust from both carpet and tile surfaces. Keep up the good work, and thank you for sharing your helpful tip!

[@debbies6192]

Whenever I'm selling my home; I clean the house from top to bottom. I don't use my stove/oven. I use a slow cooker or microwave oven to cook my meals. I do my cooking in the evenings and refrigerate the food so I only have to microwave it. I always have vanilla and cinnamon water heating inside the slow cooker, when expecting a Realtor..

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Ah, a true pro. Thanks for sharing these easy tips for homeowners to get the most for their home.

[@JS-do7ux]

I love how honest this buyer is! I am a professional cleaner- one of my many jobs. I agree with him totally. There are so many people who never do a “wipe maintenance” type of cleaning on their homes. I do not blame any buyer for refusing a home because of nasty crud left over. No one wants to invest money in that. I love his point of view!

[@JS-do7ux]

To be honest, sometimes it’s better to sell your home without certain appliances included. Many times you’ll have more of a headache if you leave nasty appliances. Or, you could just buy inexpensive appliances to show the home.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thanks for joining the larger conversation. I think the key takeaway is that there is a list of things to do before trying to sell your home that can save the seller a ton of money, and remove questions no one is asking. 👍

[@Lindaastewart7015]

I just got the swiffer extender not long ago and I LOVE it so much! I use it everywhere! I have dark wood floors and lots of woodwork ( and also a double coat dog) and I use it on baseboards, walls, ceilings,doors, under the furniture-everywhere!

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Wonderful! I'm glad that you've found a tool that helps you keep every nook and cranny clean👍

[@LoveLife-gv8jg]

This was a fun conversation. I learned alot and from a different point of view. We offer a touch up cleaning after the deep clean and whenever the client needs. All surfaces, ledges are wiped, floors refreshed and plug in replaced. It's a great package that became a really big part of our income during the pandemic

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for tuning in, I appreciate it!

[@barbraprosper9065]

thank you for a pleasant break from the "news"❤

[@AskAngelaBrown]

You are so welcome, thanks for watching!

[@mariekarole1621]

Take your cell video in zoom and video your place and you see so much and use a black light it’s so cool to see the YUK.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Great tip. Thanks for sharing this one with us. It's true. And it's best if you see it first before the potential home buyer does. 👍

[@bigworld6788]

Thanks so much for this series!! I plan to sell my home in the next several months and you are helping prepare in advance. 💖🙏✨

[@AskAngelaBrown]

I’m so glad you like this series. Good luck with selling your home. 👍

[@Jacabiem]

Thank you for this Angela!

[@AskAngelaBrown]

You’re welcome, I appreciate you watching the show. 😊

[@pathofthezebra]

I think it really helps to have your have deep-cleaned before you sell it, no matter if you do it yourself or let someone do it. Really clean. It looks different, nicer, and brighter. Take away your own clutter, like when you enter it feels light and airy. Cleared and cleaned. And while it is on the market and not sold yet. Stay on top of it as far as possible when you are also still living there.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thanks for the helpful advice and tips! Deep-cleaning before selling and staying on top of cleanliness while the house is on the market are crucial for creating a bright, inviting atmosphere. And I have to agree, that removing clutter and maintaining a clean, airy space can make a significant difference in attracting potential buyers. Your insights are greatly appreciated!

[@camillaanderberg2956]

Thank you for all your tips this was a great video!

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@mar-linaustell7505]

This is great as I'm home shopping and this helps me to know what to look for. The last house I bought had broken windows and some that didn't open. The owner denied it at the closing, which, of course, was too late to do anything about it .

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Good luck with home shopping. Keep me posted on how things turn out. 👍

[@JS-do7ux]

I love your videos! Thank you for your detailed perspective. I have a difficult time with charging certain rates- there certainly is more home cleaning/Clean out jobs and I do appreciate the business but so many customers are unprepared. It can be overwhelming. I feel like I need to charge more because any cleaner will always do more than what is asked. Especially if they are a regular customer.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Don't be afraid to charge more. Sometimes the clients are more than willing to pay the price and are understanding. Check the rates in your area and compare prices and services. Then go over your rates and the services you offer. You go this!

[@ashleymortensen]

Realtor here, always keep a gallon jug of water in your trunk to pressure flush a toilet. Just in case 😅but I also mainly worked foreclosures so you learn to make due

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Yes! That gallon of water can come in handy! Thanks for watching!

[@TheSuzyfick]

Thanks for sharing your helpful tips. Can you please post the realtor house cleaning checklist that you mentioned?

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Hi Suzy, thanks for your patience. I didn't have tips written in to cover the stuff we missed. I sent it back to the design team to get those added in. You can find it here: realtysuccesshub.com/deepcleaning Thanks for watching and for spending part of your day here with me. 😍

[@Nina-hk7ub]

​@@AskAngelaBrowni can't access this link. Says there's a critical error..

[@mariekarole1621]

Thank you great information I wish I knew what to look for . I just looked for bugs in cabinet.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thanks for watching the video and leaving a comment. 👍

[@user-no7or5tf9v]

Hi Angela, I didn't realize you were from Charlotte. My name is Ash . Do you still live there? I live in Durham. I really enjoy your videos. I am not a great fan of cleaning and your videos have helped me tremendously. Thanks.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thank you for watching!! 🙂

[@dcrambishwasray8765]

It's great information 🙏🙂

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Glad you think so, thanks! 🙂

[@kathyg7240]

My tips. 1. Clean the light switches. 2. Make sure all the light bulbs are the same color and brightness in all fixtures that match. It bothers me to see different colors showing on the same light fixtures. It looks so much nicer, and non-distracting, and won't leave them guessing if the light fixture is discolored.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thank you for sharing these tips!

[@TrainerInTraining]

Hi. Where can I find the list of 23 Deep Cleaning Tips? thanks for a great show

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Hi Trainer in Training, thanks for your patience. I didn't have tips written in to cover the stuff we missed. I sent it back to the design team to get those added in. You can find it here: realtysuccesshub.com/deepcleaning Thanks for watching and for spending part of your day here with me. 😍

[@AdrianaHernandez-zr9gd]

grrrrrreat, I just bought the dustiest house on the block! 😔

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Congratulations on the new home! 😊

[@trishworkout9915]

Where are the links for the clips for the remaining tips. I think 13 we're covered and there are ten additional. Thank you so much for this valuable information.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Hi Trish, thanks for your patience. I didn't have tips written in to cover the stuff we missed. I sent it back to the design team to get those added in. You can find it here: realtysuccesshub.com/deepcleaning Thanks for watching and for spending part of your day here with me. 😍

[@mariekarole1621]

I viewed a home put down a bid and won. Time for closing on the house and the sellers NEVER told us they had to repaint the whole inside of house . 10 foot ceilings in some entryway areas . They painted it themselves with weird colors nothing professional splash’s on ceiling, walls and something happened to main stairs scrapped up the dark brown stain . We had closing day and they never had house packed up we were leaving our apartment that was money $ per week we had a date to leave . Long story this Mother hurt her back and on pain killers the 2 year old child got a permanent sharpie marker on the walls ,stairs the high 10 f mess . Maybe if sellers we said something we would have kept looking. Now I wish I had a different mind when house hunting found many more hidden problems.

[@genxx2724]

Did the damage and painting happen during escrow, or before you contracted to buy the house?

[@patriziabragaglia8971]

P

[@AskAngelaBrown]

I am so sorry that happened! I hope you were able to cover up the magic marker and weird paint colors.

[@perianbernstein1089]

Great video ! Great tips

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for the feedback and for watching, I appreciate it!

[@victoriatanzi361]

The swiffers always flip over on me and I hate them for that! Am I doing something wrong?

[@AskAngelaBrown]

It's possible that you may not be using the Swiffer correctly, causing it to flip over during use. Make sure to hold the handle firmly and use slow and steady strokes when cleaning. Additionally, the Swiffer is designed for light cleaning tasks and may not be suitable for heavier cleaning jobs. If you continue to have issues with the Swiffer flipping over, you may want to consider using a different type of cleaning tool, such as a traditional mop or a microfiber cloth.

[@mommymcdermott5573]

Angela, what cleaning products would you recommend for a medical centre where we have doctors and nurses mainly? I don't agree with the products I am made to use by my boss as I dont think they are adequate, we have to use diluted pine disinfectant for all the floors and multi purpose cleaner diluted for beds, chairs, desks, sinks and general clean x

[@mommymcdermott5573]

We get around 7 minutes per room to clean x

[@AskAngelaBrown]

For a medical center with doctors and nurses, I recommend using hospital-grade disinfectants and cleaners that are effective against viruses and bacteria. You can check with your supplier or search for products that meet EPA or CDC guidelines for healthcare facilities. Diluted pine disinfectant and multi-purpose cleaners may not be sufficient for high-touch surfaces and equipment in a medical setting. It's important to prioritize safety and efficacy when choosing cleaning products. Hope this helps, good luck!

[@mommymcdermott5573]

@@AskAngelaBrown thank you Angela I will speak with my boss about this x

[@musicmakeuplover3025]

Needed this

[@AskAngelaBrown]

You're welcome!😊

[@kathrynroemer3203]

Where do you get the liners for the oven?

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Hi Kathryn, thanks for asking, here is the paid link amzn.to/404jJSl and they are reusable for about 10 times. They can also be washed on the top shelf of the dishwasher since they are heat resistant.

[@MexiCleanCleaningService]

My hometown!

[@mariekarole1621]

You want the buyers to see themselves in the house doing a normal routine. We saw our cats walking on a ledge in the tv room Just to get to a cat tree away from the dog.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

YES! Exactly. You said it best. Thanks for sharing this.

[@nandinimehrotra3614]

I need a house cleaner in northern Virginia that will do a thorough clean to a new house we moved in.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Congratulations on the new home! Here is a link to a show on how to find a good house cleaner: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGm2gY2Glrd2ndE

[@katkat5420]

Do you have a link to the silicone rake?

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Here is a paid link for the rake: www.amazon.com/FURemover-Hair-Remover-Carpet-Rake/dp/B000EFDOOA?pd_rd_w=tleK2&content-id=amzn1.sym.0166569c-bb66-4515-a0c1-81e8801cfe10&pf_rd_p=0166569c-bb66-4515-a0c1-81e8801cfe10&pf_rd_r=AR6719HG2YRNHPM0RG9V&pd_rd_wg=wxXrY&pd_rd_r=32e0ea43-7eca-4aa0-84a7-4679eae8c496&pd_rd_i=B000EFDOOA&th=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=askahouseclea-20&linkId=ea7e05cdc984b170d49257d592d9cd87&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

[@susanmcinnis3276]

When showing a house, we’ve always emptied all the trash cans and cleaned/shined the kitchen sink before someone comes in, as well as all these other tips.

[@susanmcinnis3276]

Getting ready to put our house on the market-great refresher tips!!

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thank you for sharing this tip. Good luck!❤

[@GeorgiasGarden]

What he is talking about is all superficial. (Dust) Once the inspector comes in they go deep, is everything in working order. I agree with a previous comment that’s a disingenuous agent. To say to the client, “yes it needs a good cleaning, however this home has good bones, we will request a housecleaning by a professional”. I have sold and bought many homes. If I like the house I know it will be clean when I move in. Most times I paint throughout before I move in anyway. Also the vents are cheap. Replace them to the bright white. If you are maintaining your home, you won’t have to go through all this. Vacuum the brick with the brush attachment.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thanks so much for reaching out to share your thoughts on the video topic. 👍

[@galejohnson8086]

Have a bad back, can’t get down on my knees. Put damp cloth on floor beside toilet and use my foot to clean around toilet everyday. Sounds crazy, but it works.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@laurayu6198]

Where are the links?

[@AskAngelaBrown]

You can find all the links in the shownotes description. Click on show more to see all of them.

[@blessed2878]

I went to link you gave for list, but don’t see it

[@AskAngelaBrown]

The link can be found in the show notes description. realtysuccesshub.com/deepcleaning

[@k.6160]

I wish the guest would have spoken more.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it!

[@bluegrassgirl2972]

So, even if someone doesn't have capacity and/or time to do the cleaning ourselves, then hire a house cleaner prior to listing the home to garner the top selling price.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Some people hire a cleaner just for this reason. They want to make that their home is presentable for buyers.

[@crystalsparkleshine868]

I'm doing a move out cleaning right now and I'm so sick of this glass shower ! There's hard water stains help

[@AskAngelaBrown]

I know, cleaning a glass shower can be frustrating. Try a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water or a specialized cleaner designed for hard water stains, and let it sit for a while before scrubbing to help break down the deposits

[@mernie2011]

Are you related? I was trying to concentrate on what you were saying in the video but I kept wondering if you are related to Mr. Brown.😂

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Hahaha...yes, he's my brother. 😊

[@mernie2011]

@@AskAngelaBrown Thanks for the reply! ❤️

[@kathrynroemer3203]

What if you find glow in the dark stars under the popcorn would it be past the asbestos years

[@AskAngelaBrown]

What? Glow in the dark stars and they sprayed popcorn ceilings on top of that? I want to talk to the journeyman in charge of that job. 😱

[@crystalsparkleshine868]

I've had to bring 5 gallon buckets to lots of jobs yuck

[@KS-xb3cg]

He’s not coming to my house. And neither is that buyer

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Thank you for watching and sharing. 😃👍

[@anthonygardner400]

Why make the house sound worse than it is, Aaron? Why not be truthful? It’s agents like you who make us not trust any of you.

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Great question. It depends which side of the deal you are on. If you are a seller, you want to get the most for your home. If you are a buyer you want to pay the least amount for it. That is standard in the industry and the realtor is just the person who makes the deal happen. Aaron is not here to trick us, he's here to share with us what we can do to get the most for our homes, so he and other agents are not in the position of having to request expensive cleanings and "updo's".

[@anthonygardner400]

@@AskAngelaBrown ​ Understood. However, when he said, “if I find dust in a home…I’m going to make it sound so much worse than it is,” he’s admitting that he’s asking for more money knowing that the house is in better shape than he’s implying. I understand that realtors do this routinely. I’m just saying that it isn’t operating from a place of honesty, which is disturbing and unfortunate.

[@sharlyt3557]

My mom has exploded boiled eggs on her popcorn ceiling (I just recently found out about it. She was embarrassed. It happened around a decade ago (!!!)...... I'm short. I live down here. I'm not a looker-upper.) How do I get that junk off?

[@AskAngelaBrown]

Hi! Sorry to hear about the exploded boiled eggs on your mother's popcorn ceiling. Cleaning it can be a bit challenging, but there are a few things you can try. Hopefully the ceiling is sealed, meaning the popcorn bits don't fall off when you wash them. If that is the case, you can dampen a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and gently scrub the affected area. If the stain is stubborn, you can try using a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. Another option is to use a commercial cleaning product specifically designed for removing tough stains. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and test the product in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn't damage the ceiling. If the ceiling is painted, you may need to touch up the paint after cleaning. Good luck!

[@sharlyt3557]

@@AskAngelaBrown Thanks bunches!