The Ultimate Move-Out Cleaning Guide

You packed everything, the movers are on their way, and you’ve taken care of all the formalities before moving out. Now, what is the next step? Cleaning your apartment or house before moving out is not only an ethical choice but can also help maintain a positive relationship between the two parties. 

Whether your lease ended or you are selling your house, leaving your house in the best shape is always a good choice. In some cases, it might even be a legal requirement to return the house to its original condition. To make the process of move-out cleaning easier for you, we’ve put together a check list of tasks that has everything you need to deep-clean your apartment. 

Windows

You can use a glass cleaner to wipe down your windows. The easiest way to clean is by spraying the solution onto the window and wiping down quickly with a cloth. Make sure you clean the frame, handles, and the lock as well. 

Cobwebs

No matter where you live, cobwebs are a common occurrence and can be dealt with easily. You can use a mop or a vacuum cleaner with a long nozzle to pull down the webs. Once you remove the cobwebs, clean any dust left behind. 

Blinds

One of the easiest ways to clean blinds is with a pair of socks. Put the socks on your hands like gloves and dip them in some water. For the next step, run your hands along the blinds to get rid of the dust. If you have any heaters that need cleaning, this method works great for them too!

Walls & Baseboard

After you’ve taken down any decor or paintings, it’s time to clean the walls. If your vacuum comes with brush attachment, use that to clean any dust off the walls. To remove stains, grab a microfiber cloth and use a wall cleaner recommended for your wall paint to clean them. 

Carpet

You might want to clean the carpet at the end due to the amount of time and work required. Vacuum the carpet and if you have any stains, use a standard carpet cleaner to remove them. Make sure that you are using the right kind of carpet cleaner to avoid damaging the fabric. 

Cabinets & Pantry

Once you have emptied the cabinets and pantry, it’s time to wipe them down thoroughly. You can use a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to clean the hard-to-reach areas. Do the same for your wall shelves and countertops as well. 

Fridge & Oven

Remove all the contents of your fridge and store them in a cooler. You can create a cleaning solution with one part baking soda and five parts of water to clean the interior and the exterior. This solution will clean any stains and get rid of bad odor at the same time. Make sure to wipe down the drawers, handles, and the freezer as well. 

Sink & Dishwasher

It is important that you clean your sinks, drains, and other disposal tracks before leaving your house. The easiest way to clear out a drain is by using a cleaning solution of baking soda and vinegar in 1:3 ratio. Pour the cleaning solution down the drain and let it sit for about fifteen minutes before rinsing with water. 

Floors

Last but not the least, it is time to vacuum and mop the floors. Save this task for last as you might blow dust while cleaning other areas of the house. Use a mild floor cleaner to mop the floors and let anyone in the house know not to walk on the floors until dry. 

While move-out cleaning might seem like an easy task, it is often overwhelming as you may need to take care of other responsibilities on the day you are moving out. Fortunately, you can always hire professional cleaners to help you if you are too busy to clean on the last day. At Signature Maids, we offer many cleaning services including move-out cleaning, emergency cleaning, carpet cleaning, pressure cleaning, and more. To book an appointment or to get your quote, contact us today!

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