How to Clean Out a Nasty House After an Eviction

We partnered with a real estate company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

How to Clean Out a Nasty House After an Eviction

By Joy Gebarah, Owner of Kernvestors

After flipping more than 100 homes across California, I’ve learned that some of the most challenging projects begin the moment an eviction ends. A house can look perfectly normal on the outside while the inside tells a very different story—trash piled up, food left out, broken furniture, and sometimes damage that goes far beyond clutter. It’s never anyone’s favorite job, but knowing how to clean out a home safely and efficiently makes the process manageable.

Whether you’re a landlord, a new investor, or simply curious about what really happens behind the scenes, here’s a realistic step-by-step look into how to clean out a property after a tough eviction. These steps also come from the perspective of someone who buys houses in Bakersfield and other cities in California, where I’ve had to deal with every kind of cleanup imaginable.

1. Start With Safety First

Before touching anything, gear up. Gloves, boots, and masks are non-negotiable. You never really know what’s hiding under a pile of clothes or what’s been sitting in the fridge for weeks. Sometimes I bring in an air scrubber for a few hours just to clear out the smell and dust before doing any physical work. If the property has structural concerns—soft floors, exposed wiring, or damaged plumbing—address those first. A safe cleanup starts with a safe environment.

2. Do an Initial Walkthrough and Categorize the Job

Every eviction cleanout falls into categories:

- Light debris: Trash, clothing, discarded items

- Heavy debris: Furniture, mattresses, broken appliances

- Hazardous situations: Mold, pests, needles, rotting food

Your approach changes depending on which one you’re dealing with. Some landlords underestimate how long a job will take because they try to jump straight into cleaning without evaluating the full scope.

3. Remove All Trash and Debris First

Most properties require a big dumpster on-site. I usually start from the farthest room and work toward the front door. Big items—sofas, beds, dressers—come out first. Smaller trash fills in the gaps. This phase always takes longer than expected, especially in homes where tenants left behind years of belongings. But once everything is out, the house immediately feels more manageable.

4. Deep Clean Room by Room

When the debris is gone, the real cleaning begins. That means:

- Scrubbing walls

- Disinfecting kitchens and bathrooms

- Cleaning or removing appliances

- Shampooing or ripping out carpets

- Treating any odors that soaked into drywall or flooring

Sometimes replacing is cheaper than restoring. After hundreds of flips, I’ve learned that a ruined carpet or heavily stained tub isn’t worth salvaging.

5. Repair, Refresh, and Get the House Market-Ready

Once the home is clean, minor repairs are surprisingly quick:

- Patching holes

- Repainting

- Replacing fixtures

- Installing new flooring

- Updating broken windows or doors

Whether the owner plans to rent it again or sell it, this is where the house starts to look like a home again—not a project.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning out a property after an eviction isn’t glamorous, but it’s part of the reality for anyone managing rentals or investing in distressed homes. As a company that specializes in buying houses in Bakersfield CA, I’ve seen firsthand that even the worst situations can be turned around with the right process and a little patience. And for homeowners who feel overwhelmed, remember—we buy houses in Bakersfield, no matter the condition. But even if you choose to tackle the cleanup yourself, the steps above will help you approach the job the same way seasoned investors do.