Packing for a move is half the battle won. The other half is returning your home or apartment to its original condition.
More often than not, move-out cleaning is a condition that needs to be fulfilled after the end of the renter’s lease.
Regardless of the clause, leaving the apartment or house vacuumed, well-swept, and free from dirt, dust, and debris for the new residents is courteous.
In addition, cleaning the property after packing increases your chances of getting your complete security back and improves your rental history.
Hence, creating a move-out cleaning plan is something you should not put aside.
Whether you hire move-out cleaning service providers or do it yourself, creating a cleaning checklist is necessary to streamline your moving process.
All you need is a list of cleaning supplies, a room-by-room checklist, and a well-structured action plan.
How Do You Get Started with Your Move-out Cleaning?
When it comes to move-out cleaning, covering each room, nook, and corner is essential. Below is the general checklist for cleaning and repairs to address before you leave.
Cleaning Throughout the Home
1. Clean the Ceiling Fans
Put a pillowcase over the blades to trap dust, then wipe. Spray an all-purpose cleaner on the cloth and wipe each blade with gentle hands to prevent them from bending too much.
2. Remove Nails or Screws
The second most important thing is to use a screwdriver and drill to remove any hardware, including nails, screws, or drywall anchors.
3. Remove Dust from Walls
Use a dry microfiber mop and a grease and grime cleaner to remove scuffs, stains, and other marks from the walls and interior trims.
4. Clean Windows
The best way to clean windows is to use a glass cleaner or a DIY vinegar solution to remove stubborn stains.
5. Clean Doors
Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean fingerprints and grime. Pay special attention to knobs and handles.
6. Mop your Floors and Remove Scratches
After moving, your floors might get scuffed and have shallow drag marks.
You can use a vinegar-olive oil mix to remove the scratches or a wax filler matching the floor’s wood.
Once done, ensure you mop and vacuum the floor to give it a clean finish.
7. Dust Vents or Exhaust Fans
Use a microfiber cloth to remove dirt and dust from vents. Also, replace the filters if necessary.
Essential Cleaning Supplies You Need When Moving Out
The key to a thorough move-out cleaning is having the right supplies on hand. Whether you’re moving from a townhouse or an apartment, the cleaning process can vary in time and complexity.
To ensure you can tackle every nook and cranny, it’s important to have the proper tools and materials ready.
Room-by-Room Move-out Cleaning Checklist
Tackling each bedroom is an integral part of move-out cleaning. A good rule of thumb is to go from top to bottom when you start.
Tip: If you have two floors in your townhouse, you start cleaning the second floor and then go to the first.
When you pack bulky appliances such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers, the chances of your floor getting scuffed or your walls getting chipped are high.
Hence, it is necessary to remove these marks before you hand over the property to new occupants.
1. Move-out Cleaning Checklist for Bedroom
Packing, wrapping, and loading bedroom furniture creates a mess.
Bedrooms hold many essentials from packing your art, clothing, lamps, and home office to packing a mattress, valuables, and documents.
Whether you handle the move yourself or hire a moving company, you need the right moving supplies, such as different cardboard boxes and packing tape, to accommodate items of various shapes and sizes.
Hence, cleaning the litter after packing your bedroom is paramount.
Here’s what you include in your bedroom cleaning checklist before moving out:
✓ Remove cobwebs from the ceiling and corners.
✓ Wipe down furniture, including bedside tables and dressers, inside out.
✓ Use a microfiber cloth to dust all the surfaces carefully.
✓ Vacuum or clean under the bed and in between mattresses.
✓ Organize your closet items in wardrobe boxes for easy moving.
✓ Use an all-purpose cleaner to wipe lamps, glass tops, shelves, hangers, etc.
✓ Move the bed frame and headboards to vacuum underneath it.
✓ Declutter your room by donating, selling, and purging the items you don’t need and place them in a separate box.
✓ Fix the lights and fans to ensure they function properly for the new tenants or homeowners.
2. Move-out Cleaning Checklist for Kitchen
Packing and moving your kitchen items is the most time-consuming and challenging task.
Why packing a kitchen is complex?
Some items are delicate, easy to break, and require extra attention. On the other hand, furniture and appliances are bulky and demand physical strength, especially if you want to move a refrigerator alone.
Certain small appliances, such as a sandwich and coffee maker, require extra packing tapes and cardboard boxes for safety.
Also, moving household plants, vases, pots, and pans is challenging, as they are oddly shaped and require layers of cushioning.
Ultimately, these add up and make a mess on your final moving day. Therefore, planning a kitchen cleaning to-do list is a must to avoid the last-minute hassle.
Here’s what you include in your kitchen cleaning checklist before moving out:
✓ Wipe down countertops, cabinets, shelves, utensil stands, etc., inside out.
✓ Clean all surfaces using a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner to remove stubborn stains.
✓ Dust all crumbs in drawers and shelves.
✓ Clean your Refrigerator: Remove all food items, wipe spills, grease, and other stain marks from the shelves, defrost if necessary, and clean the outside, including handles and seals.
✓ Clean your Oven: Scrub away grease or marks of burnt food with baking soda.
✓ Clean your Microwave: Wipe inside and outside with a damp cloth, ensuring no food splatters.
✓ Clean your Dishwasher: Use the vinegar-water solution and thoroughly wipe down buttons and handles.
✓ Scrub the sink and wipe down faucets with a faucet cleaner to regain the shine.
✓ Sweep and mop the kitchen floor and take out the trash.
3. Move-out Cleaning Checklist for Bathrooms
Cleaning the bathroom is the most significant part of your move-out process for hygiene purposes.
You begin by decluttering and discarding your old products close to expiration.
Next, put aside the essentials in a separate moving box for the final moving day.
Finally, pack your remaining stuff and clean your bathroom.
Here’s what you include in your bathroom cleaning checklist before moving out:
✓ Scrub the shower, bathtub, sink, faucets, and toilet with a heavy-duty cleaning solution.
✓ Use a bathroom cleaner to scrub the tiles, grout, shower area, and tub to remove soap marks and grime.
✓ Clean mirrors and glass surfaces with warm water, a glass cleaner, or a vinegar solution. Use a damp cloth and rub the mirror gently.
✓ Clean the bathroom countertops and sink area to remove soap and toothpaste residue.
✓ To scrub the tiles, use a mildew remover or a vinegar and baking soda mixture.
✓ Sweep and mop the floor thoroughly, ensuring no hair clogs, stains, or marks.
✓ Clear out all personal items, such as shampoos, soaps, and personal grooming products, from cabinets, showers, and drawers.
4. Move-out Cleaning Checklist for Outdoor Spaces (if applicable)
The patios, garages, balconies, or decks are the most overlooked areas to consider cleaning before moving out.
Here’s what you include in your outdoor cleaning checklist before moving out:
✓ Sweep leaves, dirt, or other debris from outdoor spaces like patios, decks, or balconies. Remove cobwebs and dust from railings, doors, and light fixtures.
✓ If there is a lawn, use a lawn mower to remove visible weeds and dispose of garden waste.
✓ One incredible moving day tip is to clean outdoor furniture and storage unit items well in advance, ensuring you do not leave any personal belongings for the last hour.
Winding up: A Move-out Cleaning Checklist is a Must-Have!
A moving-out cleaning checklist is more than just sweeping and removing dust.
It requires precision, the right cleaning supplies, and determining how to maneuver each room’s cleaning thoroughly.
The key to achieving this is following a schedule, preparing a realistic moving budget, and cleaning checklist.
The significance of move-out cleaning is incredible, helping you declutter your space, get complete security, and improve your rental history.
Moreover, it serves as an act of kindness and courtesy toward the new occupants when you return your property in pristine condition.
FAQs
1. What is the first thing to clean in the house before moving out?
Begin by decluttering and removing the moving boxes from each room.
Once spaces are clear, start cleaning from top to bottom, which includes dusting ceiling fans and light fixtures and removing cobwebs before cleaning walls, furniture, and floors.
2. Does the end of tenancy mandate deep cleaning?
Yes, in some cases, the end of your lease requires you to clean the house thoroughly.
Neglecting the post-move cleaning can lead to deductions from the security deposit. Hence, move-out cleaning helps you get your complete security back.
3. Professional Vs. DIY move-out cleaning: Which one is better?
Moving out cleaning is necessary, especially with the strict end-of-tenancy rule. DIY cleaning helps you save money but takes physical effort.
Hiring professional cleaning services, however, can save you time and help you regain your security.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so if you want to save money on cleaning, go for the DIY option.
Hiring professional cleaners will be better if you have time constraints and want no deductions from your security deposit.
4. What is the move-out cleaning cost?
The average move-out cleaning cost in the United States is $350, with a rough estimate between $150 and $400.
Certain factors, such as the size of the house, number of bedrooms, labor, house condition, and location, impact the cleaning cost.
For instance, a 1,000–1,500 square foot house will cost between $120 and $250.The move-out cleaning cost for a one-bedroom will sit between $150 and $250, and the hourly rate will be between $20 and $50 per cleaner.
The move-out cleaning cost varies if more services are added, such as junk removal, garage cleaning, hardwood floor polishing, etc.