ROOM BY ROOM HOME CLEARING CHECKLIST
A Practical Guide for Downsizing, Estate Clearing, or Preparing a Home for Sale
Need help clearing out a parent's house? Room-By-Room Checklist to guide you through clearing out a senior citizen's estate home. How to sell parents' home
When an elderly person reaches the point that they need to move to assisted living, the evidence of their decline can usually be seen in their home. Routine maintenance has usually fallen by the wayside as they deal with illness or lack of mobility. Realtors see this quite often, but this might be the first time your family has seen it. Do not be hasty to judge the living conditions that you find. It is normal to find some level of a mess. Prepare family members in advance to help them understand that this person was unable to take care of normal household tasks and that is why we are here.
SECTION 1 — WHOLE‑HOUSE ESSENTIALS
Before You Begin
□ Bring boxes, trash bags, labels, markers (color-coded labels work well)
□ Photograph each room for reference before starting
□ Remove obvious trash to create space
□ Create color-coded sorting zones and label each zone:
Keep With Mom/Dad, Give to Family, Sell, Donate, Trash
□ Create a “Sentimental Box” for undecided items
□ Gather important documents (legal, medical, financial)
□ Secure valuables (jewelry, cash, collectibles)
Order Office Depot Labels: https://share.google/JZ20fcm50KvA6P1ks $9.99 (4 colors)
Order Michaels Labels: https://www.michaels.com/product/6720-pcs-small-dot-stickers-round-color-coding-labels-circle-dot-stickers-label-sticker-476586761036038144 $21.99 (19 colors)
SECTION 2 — KITCHEN
□ Empty refrigerator and freezer (so many houses are blighted by odors because the power is turned off, and no one remembers to empty the fridge)
□ Sort pantry items (discard expired, donate unopened)
□ Open all cabinets and drawers and work through them one at a time
□ Decide on dishes, cookware, utensils
□ Check high shelves and under‑sink storage
□ Remove small appliances (keep, donate, sell)
□ Clear counters and clean all surfaces
□ Check for any needed repairs
SECTION 3 — LIVING ROOM / FAMILY ROOM
□ Remove and Sort books, DVDs, games
□ Decide on, and label furniture (keep, sell, donate, or leave for staging)
□ Check drawers, cabinets, and under furniture
□ Remove personal photos and sentimental décor
□ Remove or recycle old electronics
□ Clear surfaces and wipe down
SECTION 4 — BEDROOMS
□ Empty closets (clothes, shoes, accessories)
□ Empty and Sort dresser drawers
□ Check under the bed
□ Remove bedding and evaluate mattress condition
□ Collect jewelry, keepsakes, personal items
□ Decide on, and label furniture (keep, sell, donate, leave bed frame for staging)
SECTION 5 — BATHROOMS
□ Discard expired medications safely
□ Sort toiletries (keep, toss old items)
□ Empty cabinets and drawers
□ Remove towels and bath mats(donate to animal shelter, or keep)
□ Clean tub/shower with CLR. Use CLR on the toilet area, and clean all surfaces and mirrors
□ Make list of needed repairs
Buy CLR Cleaner at Target $5.79: https://www.target.com/p/clr-calcium-lime-and-rust-remover-28-fl-oz/-/A-13821647?sid=1259S&afid=google&TCID=OGS&CPNG=Household+Essentials&adgroup=3-5
SECTION 6 — OFFICE / DEN
□ Gather important documents and put them in a safe place where they will not get donated, or thrown away on accident! (tax returns, legal papers, insurance, banking)
□ Shred sensitive papers
□ Remove and Sort office supplies (Keep, Trash)
□ Evaluate electronics for recycling or donation
□ Check file cabinets, drawers, shelves
□ Make list of needed repairs (flooring, paint, etc)
SECTION 7 — LAUNDRY ROOM
□ Remove detergents and cleaning supplies
□ Remove and sort linens and cleaning tools
□ Check cabinets and shelves; clean thoroughly
□ Clean washer/dryer surfaces
SECTION 8 — HALLWAYS & CLOSETS
□ Empty coat closets, throw away hangers
□ Remove and sort all items
□ Check high shelves
□ Make list of needed repairs to rods or doors
SECTION 9 — BASEMENT / UTILITY ROOM
□ Sort tools and hardware
□ Evaluate storage bins (keep, donate, trash)
□ Remove hazardous materials (paint, chemicals)
□ Clear old appliances or electronics
□ Make list of needed repairs (dry-lock paint, mold remediation, plumbing)
□ Sweep or vacuum
SECTION 10 — GARAGE
□ Sort tools, lawn equipment, outdoor gear
□ Dispose of chemicals properly
□ Evaluate bikes, sports equipment, storage bins
□ Remove old paint cans, oil, hazardous waste
□ Clear workbenches and shelves
SECTION 11 — OUTDOOR AREAS
□ Remove patio furniture
□ Clear sheds or storage units
□ Sort gardening tools
□ Dispose of broken items
□ Tidy landscaping if preparing for sale
SECTION 12 — ATTIC
□ Remove EVERYTHING
□ Sort for donations, trash, Give to Family
FINAL WALK‑THROUGH
□ Recheck each room for missed items
□ Remove all trash and donation bags
□ Vacuum, sweep, wipe surfaces
□ Lock windows and doors
□ Take final photos for records
