A brand-new Florida home looks spotless — but new construction is one of the dustiest cleans there is. Drywall sanding leaves a fine powder on every surface, sawdust and caulk residue hide in corners, and fresh paint, flooring and cabinetry off-gas VOCs for weeks. This move-in cleaning checklist walks through a new construction home room by room so you clear the dust and debris before you unpack, not after it settles into everything you own.
Before you start
- Change the HVAC filter first — builders' dust clogs it fast, and a fresh filter helps clear the air as you clean.
- Gather microfiber cloths, a HEPA-filter vacuum, a mop, and a gentle all-purpose cleaner.
- Work top to bottom and back to front, so dust and debris fall toward areas you haven't cleaned yet.
Whole-home first pass (top down)
- Dust ceilings, corners and ceiling fans for drywall powder and cobwebs.
- Wipe down every air vent and return grille — they collect the most construction dust.
- Wipe walls, baseboards, door frames, trim and switch plates.
- Clean windows, sills and tracks, and remove any leftover manufacturer stickers.
- Wipe light fixtures and remaining sticker residue on hardware.
Kitchen
- Wipe inside and outside of every cabinet and drawer — sawdust hides inside.
- Clean inside the oven, dishwasher and refrigerator, and peel protective films off appliances.
- Scrub countertops, backsplash and the sink; run water to clear the traps.
- Wipe the range hood and vent.
Want an exact price for your home?
Tell us your bedrooms, bathrooms, and ZIP — we'll quote it in about 60 seconds. No phone call, no in-home visit.
Bathrooms
- Wipe inside vanities and drawers.
- Clean and disinfect the toilet, tub, shower and sink; remove any grout haze or caulk film.
- Polish mirrors, glass and chrome; run water through all drains.
Bedrooms and living areas
- Wipe closet shelving and rods before anything goes in.
- Dust and wipe all reachable surfaces, sills and outlets.
- Vacuum new carpet thoroughly — it holds fibers and dust from installation.
Floors last
- Vacuum every hard floor with a HEPA vacuum before mopping, so you lift grit instead of grinding it in.
- Mop tile and luxury vinyl with a gentle cleaner; buff any grout haze.
Want an exact price for your home?
Tell us your bedrooms, bathrooms, and ZIP — we'll quote it in about 60 seconds. No phone call, no in-home visit.
Clear the air: dust and VOCs
New homes off-gas VOCs from paint, flooring, cabinetry and adhesives, and construction dust lingers in the air. Ventilate as you work — open windows, run the AC with that fresh filter, and consider a few days of extra airflow before you move furniture in. Indoor air quality is worth taking seriously in a new build; the EPA's guidance on improving indoor air covers ventilation and source control.
When to hire it out
A new construction clean is heavy, dusty work, and doing it wrong can scratch new floors or leave grout haze behind. A professional move-in/move-out cleaning crew has the HEPA vacuums and the routine to clear builders' dust in one visit — and it is the same skill set behind our move-out cleaning guide for the Treasure Coast if you are also leaving a place behind.
Common questions
Why does a new house need a deep clean?
Because construction leaves fine drywall dust, sawdust and residue on and inside every surface — cabinets, vents, floors and trim — even when the home looks finished. A move-in clean removes it before it spreads through your belongings.
How long does a new construction cleaning take?
More than a standard clean — plan for a deep-clean timeframe of several hours or a full crew visit, depending on the size of the home and how much dust the builders left behind.
Want an exact price for your home?
Tell us your bedrooms, bathrooms, and ZIP — we'll quote it in about 60 seconds. No phone call, no in-home visit.
Don't forget the garage and lanai
New Florida homes come with spaces the interior checklist skips. Sweep out the garage, where construction debris and concrete dust collect, and hose or wipe down the lanai and screen enclosure — installers often leave sawdust, caulk smears and stickers out there too. Wipe exterior door tracks and thresholds while you're at it, since that's exactly where sand and grit will try to enter once you've moved in.
Should I clean before or after the builder's final walkthrough?
After. Do your walkthrough and punch list first, so any builder touch-ups, caulking or repairs happen before your clean — otherwise you'll end up cleaning the same drywall dust twice.
Captain Duster handles new construction and move-in cleans across Melbourne, Vero Beach, Sebastian, Palm Bay, Port St. Lucie and the Treasure & Space Coast — bonded, insured, 24-hour guarantee. Get a free estimate or call (772) 222-6649.
Ready when you are.
Captain Duster cleans homes across the Treasure Coast and Space Coast. Get a guaranteed quote in about a minute — no in-person visit required.
About the author
The Captain Duster crew
We’re a Florida-based residential cleaning company serving the Treasure Coast and Space Coast. We write these guides from the field — what we see in real homes every day. More about us →