Something about moving is exciting. Whether you are moving across town or the country, there is a sense of a new start. Before you embark on your next adventure, it is important that you leave your former apartment in acceptable shape. Not only do you want to ensure you get your deposit back, but you also want to maintain good standing with your landlord. You never know when you may need a reference or another apartment in the future. When moving out, you want to conduct a deep clean to ensure everything is in order. The following move out cleaning tips can help you ensure your apartment is move-out ready.
Create Your Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Your checklist may vary due to the size of the property, the extent of your stay, and how clean it already was, but when considering ways to make sure your apartment is ready, add the following items to your list:
- Remove all personal property – One of the most important aspects of ensuring you are ready to move out is the complete removal of all personal property. When moving, you may come across items you forgot you had and items you realize you no longer need. It can be tempting to leave things behind, especially when you don’t want to add another task of going to the dump, but this adds extra work for your landlord and can impact your ability to get your deposit back. Everything must be removed, including furniture, closet items, shelving, wall art, and anything inside and outside the property. Removing all your personal items first also helps establish just how much cleaning you must do.
- Dust and wipe surfaces – Dust, dander, and other pollutants naturally collect on various surfaces around the home. Taking an all-purpose surface cleaner and giving surfaces a once-over is beneficial. You’ll want to focus on kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops, bookshelves, mantles, shelves, windowpanes, and other hard surfaces.
- Clean cabinets – Cabinets habitually accumulate random small items, especially your kitchen cabinets. Food residue, crumbs, and cooking ingredients can reach the back of the cabinet. Make sure they are empty of all items and debris. Then take the time to wipe down the surface to ensure a complete clean.
- Clean appliances – It is also helpful to clean the interior and exterior of your appliances before you move out. When it comes to your fridge, make sure all food items are removed. Wipe down the shelves and drawers of the interior. You can also wipe down the exterior to rid the fridge of any food stains or fingerprints. You can also rinse or clean appliance traps such as your dishwasher, washer, and dryer.
- Vacuum floors – Give any carpeted surfaces a good pass with the vacuum before you go. This includes closets, stairs, and other hard-to-reach places.
- Scrub the bathroom – The bathroom is used often and requires TLC before moving. This final clean ensures you aren’t leaving any mold or mildew behind. In addition to ensuring you’ve removed all personal items, it is beneficial to take the time to scrub and clean the toilet, sink, and bathtub. Once everything has been scrubbed and cleaned, mop the floor.
- Remove nails and fill holes – While apartments are often used as temporary residences, you still want to make it your home while you live there. For many, this means decorating the various spaces of the apartment. You should remove nails, hooks, and wall anchors before you leave. Once these items have been removed, patch the holes in the wall. This provides a fresh, clean look for the next tenant and ensures you won’t have any issues with your landlord.
- Touch-up scratches – Wear and tear are typical when renting, especially if you’ve been in the property for an extended time. Before moving, find paint that matches your existing walls. Painting allows you to touch up any scratches, stains, and marks that may have been left on the walls.
Double Check Your Lease
When it comes to ensuring your apartment is move-out ready, consulting your initial lease is a good first step. Expectations can vary drastically depending on your landlord. Some landlords may only expect a light cleaning and your property removed. Other landlords may expect extended, deep cleaning that meets specific specifications. Knowing what is expected is a great start.
Call In the Professionals
Moving out can be exciting, but it can also be stressful. Consider letting the professionals at Blue Daisy Maids handle the job if cleaning is the last thing on your mind. A professional cleaner has the right tools, knowledge, and experience to ensure your apartment is move-out ready. Hiring a professional allows you to focus your efforts on the moving process. Contact us today to learn more about our cleaning services. We can help make moving out of your existing apartment a breeze!
