Dirt and Stains

Dirt and Stains represent the most persistent and visually prominent surface mess category in House Flipper, covering everything from ground-in floor grime and wall discoloration to liquid spills that have dried and hardened over time. Unlike loose trash that sits on surfaces, dirt and stains are embedded in floor and wall materials, requiring sustained application of the Clean Tool to fully remove. They are found in virtually every property that has been occupied or neglected and are one of the key factors that determine a room's cleanliness score.

The Clean Tool is the primary instrument for addressing dirt and stains, with the Cleaning skill tree providing perks that increase removal efficiency and reduce the number of passes needed to fully clear heavily soiled surfaces. Some severe stain types, particularly those on damaged wall surfaces, may require the surface to be replastered before they can be fully eliminated, connecting dirt and stain removal to the Handyman skill tree and Plaster Tool workflow. Players who sequence cleaning after plastering damaged areas achieve consistently better surface quality scores.

Dirt and stains vary in intensity and distribution across House Flipper's property catalog, with heavily neglected properties featuring dense, large-area staining that requires significant cleaning time, while lightly used properties may only have isolated spots requiring targeted attention. Learning to read the dirt and stain distribution of a property during the initial assessment phase helps players plan their cleaning route efficiently, moving through rooms in a systematic pattern that ensures no stained surface is missed. Thoroughly clean floors and walls are among the most impactful changes a player can make to a property's overall visual impression.