Moving out of your current home can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few simple steps, you’ll be on your way to a sparkling clean house that will make the move-out process a breeze. Welcome to my trusty guide to stress-free move-out cleaning!
Contents
Create a Checklist of Tasks
Creating a checklist when preparing to move out of a rental property is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure a stress-free experience. By ensuring that all tasks have been completed, you can quickly identify any unfinished items and have peace of mind knowing that the property meets your landlord’s standards for move-out cleaning.
Start by making a list of specific tasks to complete. Consider areas such as the kitchen, bathroom(s), living room, and bedrooms, as well as hallways and other common areas. Note any details such as baseboards or window sills that could be forgotten in careless cleanup efforts.
Be sure to double-check for overlooked items, particularly in the closets and corners where dust can accumulate over time. Other items may include upholstery cleaning needs or any random debris left behind after physically moving out your belongings.
Make sure all repairs are made before departure and confirm once again with a written agreement regarding cleanup expectations and payment information if required by your lease agreement.
Gather Necessary Cleaning Supplies
Preparing for move-out cleaning doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive, but it does require some planning. Before you start, you’ll want to make sure that all of your cleaning supplies are ready, so it’s important to purchase or gather the necessary items ahead of time. This may include:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Mop and bucket
- Sponges, rags, and paper towels
- Glass cleaners and other surface cleaners
- All-purpose cleaner
- Kitchen cleaners
- Toilet bowl scrubber and plunger
Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you have supplies for everyday cleaning such as trash cans with liners and allergen filters. You should also consider reusing containers and bottles if possible to cut down on waste.
Start with the Kitchen
One of the most difficult areas to clean once you’ve moved out is usually the kitchen. Because of the potential for grease and food particles throughout the kitchen, it can be extremely time-consuming and challenging to clean.
Thus, when beginning your move-out cleaning process, we recommend starting with this room. Begin by decluttering – put away any everyday items such as dishes and appliances that you won’t need while cleaning. This will provide you with enough space to properly clean without interruption.
Next, start scrubbing down every surface—counters, sinks, cabinets, small appliances, and refrigerator/freezer—with an appropriate cleaner (usual degreaser). Pay special attention to food particles in hard-to-reach areas on tile grout or appliances that might have been forgotten about such as under stoves and refrigerators or behind the sink plumbing pipes. Use a powerful all-purpose cleaner to ensure the sanitization of surfaces.
Once decluttered and scrubbed down your next step is to sweep and mop floors as well as sanitize floor drains in sinks or showers if any exist in your kitchen area. Finally one should check walls for fingerprints near light switches and handles that are easy to miss. Wipe them down with a sponge or washcloth lightly dampened with soapy water for shine if the desired effect is sought after.
Move on to the Bathroom
Now that the bedroom and living areas have been cleared out, it’s time to focus attention on the bathroom. Clear away all of your items such as shampoo bottles, makeup, razors, and toothbrushes.
Inspect the sink, bathtub, and shower for dirt, soap scum, and mold. Remove any built-up residue with a specialized cleaner or vinegar and baking soda mixture. Clean around the drains with an old toothbrush or pipe brush if necessary to get any pesky particles dislodged. Be sure to use bleach on moldy areas. Also, clean the toilet inside and out with a liquid bathroom cleaner or a combination of vinegar and baking soda. Scrub all surfaces with a soft brush or sponge, rinse well and repeat if necessary to get perfect sparkle results.
Don’t Forget About the Bedrooms and Living Areas
Bedroom: When you are packing up to move out, it can be easy to overlook the bedrooms. Don’t forget to give the space a thorough clean – even if your belongings are no longer in the room!
- Start by dusting and wiping down all surfaces with a cloth and cleaning solution, including shelves, molding, door frames, and window sills.
- Vacuum the carpets and furniture before washing any hard surfaces like wood or tile floors.
- Pay extra attention to wood furniture or other items that may have collected dust over time.
Living Area: The living area needs some TLC too if you want your home to be spotless on move-out day.
- Vacuum any rugs and carpets as well as furniture cushions, curtains, and any other fabric that could have accumulated dust over time.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe down walls and blinds then clean windows with a glass cleaner until they sparkle.
- Sweep or vacuum hard floor surfaces before mopping them with warm water and your favorite cleaning solution.
- Don’t forget about baseboards, ceiling fans, air vents, or light fixtures – these items need special care too!
Tackle the Floors Last
When it comes to move-out cleaning, floors should always be the last room on your list of areas to tackle. It’s a task that requires more effort and attention than other rooms in the house and it’s important to give them a thorough going over. The most effective technique for deep cleaning floors is to start by vacuuming carpets and rugs, then use a mop or steam for hardwood, tile, linoleum, or concrete surfaces.
Hardwood floors should be dealt with using slightly damp mops so that they don’t show watermarks; meanwhile, tile and vinyl floors benefit from being washed with detergent mixed in warm water before wiping them down with a clean cloth afterward. Don’t forget to wax if your lease specifies it!
Dispose of Any Unwanted Items Responsibly
Before packing up and moving out, be sure to get rid of any unnecessary items you no longer need. Carefully sort through items such as clothes, furniture, electronics, and knickknacks.
There are various ways to dispose of these items responsibly:
- Clothing and linens can be donated to a local charity or shelter. If the items still have some life in them but you don’t have any use for them anymore, consider selling them at a yard sale or online marketplace. Furniture pieces can also be donated or sold, depending on the condition. You can also check with your local Goodwill to see if they accept these donations.
- Appliances such as microwaves and refrigerators should be disposed of at your municipality landfill site according to your local laws; however, some charities or shelters may be willing to accept even large appliances for donation purposes. Your city’s solid waste department will provide this information and inform you of the necessary proper disposal measures for large items like TVs and computers that should not end up in the landfill.
- Any hazardous materials such as paint cans should also be disposed of responsibly according to your local regulations at an industrial waste facility.
Conclusion
Moving out of a rental property can be a very stressful and overwhelming task, no matter how much help you have. By preparing ahead of time and being aware of the expectations that your landlord has, you can make sure that the process is as stress-free as possible.
Whether you move out on your own or with the help of professional cleaning company, understanding what areas need to be cleaned before leaving can make sure that nothing falls through the cracks when it comes to cleaning up after yourself at a rental property.