You don’t have to clean your house before selling, but you should. While there’s no law that says your house must be spotless, cleaning can add around $3,700 to your home’s sale price, and getting rid of extra stuff can add up to $6,500. This article will help you understand when cleaning matters, what “clean” really means, and when you can skip it all together.
What Does “Broom Clean” Really Mean?
When you sell a house, most contracts say you need to leave it in “broom clean” condition. But what does that actually mean?
The Basic Rules
Broom clean means the house should be free of all your stuff and trash. At the very least, floors should be swept or vacuumed and all surfaces wiped clean. Think of it this way: if someone handed you a broom, you could quickly sweep up and be done.
Here’s what broom clean includes:
- Take out all your furniture and belongings
- Remove all trash and old items
- Sweep or vacuum all floors
- Wipe down counters and surfaces
- Clean out cabinets and closets
What Broom Clean Doesn’t Mean
Broom clean does not mean you have to pay someone to deep clean your house. You don’t need to scrub every corner or make everything shine like new. The new owners should expect to do their own cleaning before moving in.
However, leaving your house broom clean is more than just being nice. It’s usually what your contract says you have to do. If you don’t clean enough, the buyers might ask for money back or delay the closing.
When You Should Clean Your House
Cleaning your house before selling makes sense in most cases. Let’s look at when it really matters.
Selling Through a Real Estate Agent
If you’re working with a real estate agent to sell your house, cleaning is very important. A survey of top real estate agents found that getting rid of clutter could add $11,706 to a home’s sale price. That’s about 3.5% more for a house worth $350,000.
Why cleaning helps so much:
- Better First Impressions: Buyers decide if they like a house in the first few seconds
- Better Photos: Clean homes look great in online listings
- Faster Sale: Homes are selling in 30 days or less, but dirty houses sit on the market longer
- Higher Offers: Buyers think clean homes are well taken care of
Before Taking Photos
Your home’s online photos are super important. Most buyers look at homes online before ever visiting in person. A dirty or messy house in photos will turn people away before they even call their agent.
Research shows that homes that were cleaned and staged sold for 6% to 10% more than similar homes that weren’t cleaned or staged. That’s thousands of extra dollars in your pocket.
During Showings and Open Houses
When people come to see your house, they’re looking at everything. They peek in closets, check under sinks, and notice dust on ceiling fans. A clean house tells buyers that you care about your home and probably kept up with repairs too.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 58% of buyer’s agents say a very clean house makes a big impact on a buyer’s first impression.
When You Can Skip the Deep Clean
Not everyone needs to deep clean their house. There are times when basic cleaning is enough or even when you can skip it completely.
Selling Your House As-Is
One of the biggest perks of selling a home as-is is that you don’t have to clean out your house or do any work to sell it. If you put it in the contract that you’re leaving everything as-is, buyers know what they’re getting.
When selling as-is makes sense:
- Your house needs major repairs you can’t afford
- You need to sell very quickly
- You inherited a house full of someone else’s stuff
- You’re facing foreclosure and don’t have time
- You’re going through a divorce and want a fast sale
Selling to Cash Buyers
If you need to sell your home quickly, selling it as-is can help you skip steps that often cause delays. Cash home buyers like We Buy Colorado buy houses in any condition. You don’t need to clean, fix anything, or even move your stuff out if you don’t want to.
Benefits of selling to cash buyers:
- Close in as little as 7-14 days
- No need to clean or repair anything
- No real estate agent fees
- You pick the closing date
- They buy houses in any condition
When Time Is Short
If you need to move very quickly, you might not have time for a deep clean. Maybe you got a new job in another state or have other urgent reasons to sell. In these cases, some people don’t have the time or money to do the work, like military families getting moved to a new base.
How to Clean Your House for Selling
If you decide to clean your house, here’s how to do it right without wasting time or money.
Start with Getting Rid of Stuff
Before you clean, you need to clear out extra stuff. The average American home has about 300,000 items. That’s a lot to sort through!
Create four piles:
- Keep: Things you’re taking to your new home
- Sell: Valuable items you can sell online or at a yard sale
- Donate: Good items you don’t need anymore
- Trash: Broken or worn-out stuff
For stuff you don’t have time to go through, you can have estate cleanout companies like 1-800-Got-Junk come help.
Focus on Key Areas
You don’t have to scrub every inch of your house. Focus on the areas buyers notice most:
Kitchen:
- Clean inside and outside of all appliances
- Wipe down cabinets and counters
- Clean the inside of your fridge
- Scrub the sink until it shines
Bathrooms:
- Scrub toilets, sinks, and showers
- Clean mirrors and fixtures
- Remove soap scum and hard water stains
- Make sure everything smells fresh
Floors:
- Vacuum all carpets
- Mop hard floors
- Consider steam cleaning carpets if they’re stained
Windows and Walls:
- Wash windows inside and out
- Wipe down walls to remove fingerprints and marks
- Clean window sills
Don’t Forget the Outside
The outside of your house is the very first thing buyers see. Make sure it looks welcoming:
- Mow the lawn
- Trim bushes and trees
- Pull weeds from flower beds
- Power wash the driveway and walkways
- Clean out the garage
Consider Hiring Help
Hiring a professional to clean a 2,000-square-foot home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms usually costs between $240 and $500. This might sound like a lot, but remember that cleaning can add thousands to your sale price.
Professional cleaners can save you time and energy. They have special tools and know how to clean things you might miss.
Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Even with good intentions, sellers sometimes make mistakes that hurt their sale.
Leaving Personal Items Behind
One of the most common complaints from buyers is that sellers leave their stuff behind, from garbage bags to old paint cans and furniture. Unless you asked the buyers if they want something, take it all with you.
Don’t leave:
- Old paint cans (even if they match the walls)
- Yard equipment
- Furniture in the garage or basement
- Cleaning supplies under sinks
- Items in the attic or crawl space
Not Checking Hidden Spots
Buyers check everywhere during their final walk-through. They look in cabinets, under sinks, and even check if you took all the light bulbs. Don’t assume they won’t notice that dirty corner in the garage.
Check these often-forgotten spots:
- Behind and under appliances
- Inside kitchen cabinets and drawers
- Basement and attic spaces
- Garage corners and shelves
- Inside closets
Cleaning Too Early
If you clean your house weeks before showing it, you’ll just have to clean again. Try to time your deep clean close to when you start showing the house. Then do quick touch-ups before each showing.
Ignoring Smells
A survey by Zillow found that 80% of buyers are turned away by houses with strong smells, whether from pets, smoke, or cooking. You might be used to your house’s smell, but buyers will notice right away.
To fix smell problems:
- Open windows to let fresh air in
- Clean carpets and furniture where pets sleep
- Don’t cook strong-smelling foods before showings
- Fix any mold or mildew problems
- Consider hiring odor removal experts if smells are really bad
What If You Can’t Afford to Clean?
Not everyone has money to spend on cleaning before selling. Here are your options.
Do It Yourself
You can clean your house yourself using basic supplies you probably already have:
- Baking soda for scrubbing and removing smells
- Vinegar for windows and hard water stains
- Dish soap for most surfaces
- Bleach for tough bathroom stains
Start with one room at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed. Ask friends or family to help if you can.
Sell As-Is for Cash
If cleaning seems impossible because of time, money, or the house’s condition, consider selling your house as-is. In 2024, fixer-upper homes sold for an average of $283,000, while move-in ready homes sold for 29% more.
While you might get less money, you save on:
- Cleaning costs
- Repair costs
- Real estate agent fees (when selling to cash buyers)
- Time and stress
Work It Into the Sale Price
You can offer buyers a cleaning credit at closing. This means you give them money to hire cleaners themselves. Some buyers prefer this because they can choose their own cleaning company.
Special Situations
Some selling situations need special cleaning considerations.
Inherited Homes
If you inherited a house, it might be full of a lifetime of belongings. You can hold an estate sale where people buy things directly from the house, or hire estate cleanout companies to help.
Inherited property sales can be emotional. If sorting through everything feels too hard, selling to a cash buyer means you don’t have to deal with any of it.
Rental Properties
If you’re a tired landlord ready to sell, you might have tenants living in your house. It’s hard to deep clean with people still there. You can either wait until they move out or sell as-is to a cash buyer who will handle the transition.
Homes Needing Major Repairs
If your house needs big repairs like a new roof or major plumbing work, buyers might not care as much about cleaning. They already know they’ll be doing lots of work.
In this case, basic cleaning is fine. Focus on removing trash and personal items rather than deep cleaning.
Divorce Sales
Going through a divorce is stressful enough without worrying about cleaning a house. Many divorcing couples choose to sell as-is to avoid arguments about who should clean what.
How Clean Is Clean Enough?
Here’s a simple test: Would you be happy if you walked into a house this clean on moving day? Leave your house the way you would hope to find it if you were the buyer.
Think about these questions:
- Can someone walk through every room easily?
- Are all surfaces wiped down?
- Does it smell fresh and clean?
- Would you feel good handing over the keys?
If you answer yes to all these questions, your house is probably clean enough.
The Bottom Line on Costs
Let’s talk real numbers about cleaning versus not cleaning:
If You Clean:
- DIY cleaning: $50-100 for supplies
- Professional cleaning: $240-500
- Potential value increase: $3,700-11,700
If You Don’t Clean:
- As-is homes typically sell for 60-70 cents on the dollar depending on repairs needed
- Faster sale (no time spent cleaning)
- No cleaning costs
- Less stress
The right choice depends on your situation, timeline, and the condition of your house.
Questions People Ask About Cleaning Before Selling
Do I have to clean my house by law?
No. There is no law against selling a dirty house and no standard definition of what “clean” means. However, your contract probably says you need to leave it in broom clean condition.
What if buyers complain the house isn’t clean enough?
If buyers feel the seller broke the “broom clean” rule and left a truly dirty house, they could try taking them to court. However, it could be a difficult case to win. It’s better to avoid problems by cleaning properly or being very clear in your contract about the condition.
Should I clean the house after the final walk-through?
Your final cleaning should happen before the final walk-through. This is when buyers check that everything is as expected. If they find problems during this walk-through, it could delay your closing.
Can I leave cleaning supplies for the new owners?
Unless you specifically asked them, don’t leave anything. Even if you think the buyers might want old paint cans that match the walls, they may not be interested and might be upset you left them. Always ask first.
What about light bulbs and toilet paper?
Some sellers even take every light bulb out of the house! While you can technically take light bulbs since they’re not part of the house, it’s considered rude. Leave light bulbs in the fixtures. As for toilet paper, it’s a nice gesture to leave a roll in each bathroom.
Your Best Path Forward
Deciding whether to clean your house depends on your specific situation. Here’s how to choose:
Clean your house if:
- You’re selling through a real estate agent
- Your house is in good condition
- You have time before you need to move
- You want to get the highest possible price
- You can afford cleaning supplies or professional help
Sell as-is if:
- You need to sell very quickly
- Your house needs major repairs anyway
- You can’t afford or don’t have time to clean
- You’re dealing with foreclosure or other urgent situations
- Cleaning feels overwhelming
Remember, cash home buyers like We Buy Colorado will buy your house in any condition. You don’t have to stress about cleaning if you don’t want to or can’t.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your house before selling isn’t required by law, but it often makes good financial sense. Studies show that homes presented in pristine condition consistently sell for higher prices. A clean house can add thousands of dollars to your sale price and help you sell faster.
However, not everyone has the time, money, or energy to deep clean before selling. If cleaning feels impossible, selling as-is to a cash buyer is a real option. You can skip all the cleaning, repairs, and waiting.
Whatever you decide, make sure your choice fits your timeline, budget, and stress level. The goal is to sell your house successfully, whether that means spending a weekend cleaning or calling a cash buyer today.
Ready to sell your house without the cleaning hassle? Contact We Buy Colorado for a fair cash offer within 24 hours. We buy houses in any condition—no cleaning required, no repairs needed, and you choose the closing date. Learn how it works and get started today.