Moving house is consistently ranked as one of the three most stressful life events — alongside losing your job and divorce. And why not? Packing, transport, unpacking, administration, and on top of that — cleaning the flat you're leaving (and sometimes the deposit depends on it) and cleaning the flat you're moving into (which the previous tenants didn't leave tidy). This guide separates these two tasks and provides a concrete plan for both.
Two scenarios — two approaches
Scenario A: Cleaning the flat you're leaving
This is the clean for getting your deposit back or for when the landlord is moving back into the flat. The goal: to leave the flat in a state that is equal to or better than when you moved in (allowing for normal wear and tear).
Scenario B: Cleaning a flat you are moving into
This is a clean-up of other people's dirt — previous tenants, builders, or from a property that has been standing empty. The aim: to make the flat healthy and comfortable for your new start.
Scenario A — cleaning the flat you are leaving
Preparation (a day or two beforehand)
- Document the condition with photographs (to protect against unfounded claims)
- Agree with the landlord on the exact expectations
- Assess what is normal wear and tear vs. what needs to be repaired
Cleaning order for an empty flat
- Ceiling and walls — cobwebs, dust from the tops of the walls, marks on the walls
- Kitchen — cupboards inside and out, extractor hood, oven, fridge
- Bathroom — a thorough clean and disinfect, silicone (replace if it has blackened)
- Windows — inside and out
- Floors — hoovering, mopping
- Hallway and entrance — last, as it collects dust from the rest of the cleaning
Critical areas for deposit build-up
- Oven — baked-on grease is the most common reason for a deposit holdback
- Silicone in the bathroom — blackened = an awkward conversation with the landlord
- Carpet (if it was there on move-in) — deep clean using the Puzzi method
- Wall damage (dowel holes) — fill and paint or an agreement with the landlord
- Floor — scratches, stains
Scenario B — cleaning the flat you're moving into
The move-in cleaning should be done BEFORE unpacking. It's much easier to clean an empty flat.
Moving-in priorities
- Bathroom — disinfect the toilet, sink, and shower. Replace the silicone sealant if it looks suspect.
- Kitchen — disinfect all surfaces, inside cupboards, fridge
- Floors — vacuuming + wet mop (with disinfectant)
- Windows — clean windows visually transform the space
- Walls — dust, cobwebs, traces of previous tenants
Detailed moving-in guide: Cleaning the flat before moving in.
Tools you need
| Tool | For what | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| HEPA vacuum cleaner | Floors, carpet, walls | Essential |
| Damp mop (microfibre) | Floors | Essential |
| Microfibre cloths (min. 10) | All surfaces | Essential |
| Spray bottles (vinegar+water, degreaser) | Kitchen, bathroom | Essential |
| Kärcher SC5 | Grout, tiles, disinfection | High |
| Kärcher Puzzi 10/1 | Carpet, furniture (if you are collecting) | High |
| Telescopic handle | Ceiling, high walls, windows | Useful |
| Grout brush | Grout | Useful |
Cleaning schedule
Empty flat (50-80 m²)
- General cleaning: 4-8 hours (one person)
- With SC5 (bathroom + kitchen): +2-3 hours, but for a more thorough result
- With Puzzi (carpet, if you're collecting): +2-4 hours + drying
Furnished flat
Cleaning with furniture is more difficult and takes longer — plan for 1-2 days. Priority: the floor around the furniture, kitchen, bathroom.
Cleaning after renovation
Special category — when moving into a newly renovated flat or your own that has been refurbished:
- Builder's dust is the finest and most troublesome type of dust
- A HEPA vacuum cleaner is essential (ordinary dust doesn't get trapped in the filter)
- Grout is full of cement dust — use the SC5 brush
- Plan for two rounds of cleaning (dust settles 24-48 hours after the first clean)
Detailed guide: Cleaning a flat after renovation.
Cleaning for a deposit — what do landlords most often check?
- Oven and extractor hood — grease and baked-on residue
- Bathroom — silicone, grout, mould
- Fridge — inside
- Windows — streaks and smears
- Floor — scratches, stains, damage
- Walls — holes, stains, major damage
- Carpet (if any) — cleanliness and condition
Local context
Relocations within Dugo Selo, Sesvete, Vrbovec, Brckovljani and Sveti Ivan Zelina, as well as to/from Zagreb, are becoming increasingly common. Professional end-of-tenancy cleaning is growing in popularity — especially when it comes to getting a deposit back or preparing the property for sale or for the next tenant. Hiring a Kärcher SC5 for the bathroom and a Puzzi for the carpet is a DIY approach that delivers professional results.
Checklist — moving house cleaning
The flat you are leaving
- ☐ Photograph the condition (date and time)
- ☐ Ceiling — cobwebs, dust
- ☐ Walls — marks, stains, holes
- ☐ Windows — inside and out
- ☐ Kitchen — cupboards, oven, extractor fan, fridge
- ☐ Bathroom — disinfection, silicone, grout
- ☐ Carpet — Puzzi deep clean
- ☐ Floor — vacuuming + damp mopping
- ☐ Hallway and entrance
The flat you move into
- ☐ Bathroom — full disinfection
- ☐ Kitchen — every surface, cupboards inside
- ☐ Floors — vacuuming + disinfecting
- ☐ Windows
- ☐ Walls — dust, cobwebs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the flat have to be perfectly clean to get the deposit back?
The standard requirement is a 'broom clean' or a condition that corresponds to fair wear and tear. Fair wear and tear: minor scratches on the floor from normal use, sun-faded paintwork, small marks on the walls. What the landlord can ask for: removal of personal stains, cleaning the oven and kitchen, a clean bathroom. Photograph the condition on move-in — it's your protection.
How much does professional end-of-tenancy cleaning cost?
General cleaning of an empty flat 50-80 m²: professionally, 300-800 kn. With deep carpet cleaning: +200-400 kn. Full "end of tenancy" cleaning service: 600-1500 kn for an average flat. DIY with SC5 + Puzzi hire: 200-400 kn for the same flat. Comparison with the deposit (usually 1-3 months' rent): the clean is always worth it.
How long should you wait before moving in after the cleaning?
General cleaning without machines: as soon as it's dry (2-4 hours). Cleaning with an SC5: 1-2 hours for ceramic surfaces to dry. Carpet cleaning with a Puzzi: 4-8 hours to dry, preferably overnight. Chlorine or strong disinfectants: ventilate for 4-6 hours. Plan to be in the flat only once everything is dry and has been aired out.
Should I clean the furniture I'm picking up from the previous tenant?
Absolutely — and thoroughly. Second-hand furniture carries dust mites, bacteria, pet hair, allergens, and in extreme cases, even bedbugs. Before unpacking — a visual inspection (bedbugs look like brown spots on the seams of pillows and mattresses). Then, a deep clean using the Puzzi method for all upholstered items and mattresses.
Is it normal for a flat not to be clean when you move in?
Unfortunately, a common scenario. The previous tenants don't clean thoroughly or run out of steam with the move. The bathroom is usually the most neglected room. Legally, the landlord is obliged to hand over the flat in a clean condition (depending on the terms of the agreement). If the flat isn't clean when you take it over, document it with photos and ask the landlord to arrange for a clean or compensate you for the cost.
What is a quick cleaning order for those with limited time?
If you only have 3-4 hours: 1. Bathroom + WC (disinfection, especially the toilet bowl and sink). 2. Kitchen (worktops, inside the fridge, hob). 3. Floors (quick hoover + damp mop). 4. Windows (especially the street-facing ones). The rest — once you've settled in, day by day. This covers the immediate hygiene priorities.
Is it okay to use a steam cleaner in a newly-moved-into bathroom?
Yes — the SC5 is ideal for a quick and thorough chemical-free disinfection of the bathroom when moving in. Grout, toilet, shower cubicle, taps — everything is disinfected in one hour. Especially useful if you're not sure how careful the previous tenant was with hygiene.
Can moving house and cleaning be done at the same time?
Ideally, no. The sequence is: 1. Move everything out of the old flat. 2. Clean the old flat (much easier without furniture). 3. Collect the keys for the new one. 4. Clean the new flat (empty if possible). 5. Move in. If it's not possible due to time constraints, at least clean the bathroom and kitchen of the new flat BEFORE bringing in the furniture and boxes.
Conclusion
Moving house cleaning doesn't have to be exhausting if you have a plan. The right order, the right tools, and dividing up tasks (if you're moving out with a partner) turn a stressful marathon into a manageable project. And as a bonus — moving into a sparkling clean new flat is one of the few pleasant moments of the whole moving adventure.
If you don't have the right equipment or simply want to leave the job to the professionals, there are solutions that can significantly speed up and ease the entire process.