Deep cleaning before moving into a Cairo apartment: the checklist

Many apartments rented by expats in Cairo stayed empty for months, or were handed over just after renovation. Before your boxes arrive, a deep cleaning of the empty home is the easiest way to start fresh: it is much simpler to clean a home with nothing inside.

Why clean before moving in

Construction and city dust settle everywhere: inside cupboards, on top of door frames, in window tracks and air conditioning grilles. Once furniture is in place, these areas become hard to reach. Cleaning first also lets you check the state of the apartment and report problems to the landlord early.

The room by room checklist

Kitchen

• Cupboards and drawers, inside and out
• Worktops and wall tiles, especially behind the hob
• Sink, taps and drain
• Outside of appliances, and inside the fridge and oven if they are provided

Bathrooms

• Toilet, basin, shower or bath, with descaling of taps
• Wall tiles and grout
• Mirrors and shower glass
• Ventilation grille

Bedrooms and living room

• Built-in wardrobes inside and out
• Skirting boards, doors and door frames
• Switches and sockets wiped
• Floors cleaned with a suitable product

Windows and balconies

• Window sills and sliding tracks, often full of sand
• Glass inside and out where accessible
• Balcony floor and railing

Order of work that saves time

1. Top to bottom: high surfaces first, floors last.
2. Dry before wet: remove dust before washing.
3. Inside cupboards before outside.
4. Rooms before corridors, finishing at the front door.

How empty home cleaning is priced

For an unfurnished home, prices are usually set by surface. On the deep cleaning page, Al-Rayhan prices bands from 50 to 100 m² up to 250 to 300 m², with homes above 300 m² on quote. Window glass can be added per window from the window cleaning tab, and the travel fee for your area is shown separately.

Once you are settled, a regular cleaner by the hour keeps the apartment in good shape.

Frequently asked questions