September 23, 2022
Mover with glass shelf

by Liran Koren

I’m Liran Koren. I’m a real estate pro and co-founder of Luxury Property Care. I believe that through common work we can create a healthy ecosystem, that serves investors, landlords and even tenants altogether.

Housekeeping is challenging. It is stressful to move. Therefore, cleaning your home in preparation for moving out might be intimidating, mainly if a damage premium is at stake. It is simple to push cleaning to the last thing on your list when there is so much packing, organizing, and paperwork. What should your moving cleaning checklist contain?

You must keep your rental “broom clean” when you move out. Broom clean is a subjective phrase, so it is best to stick to the side of safety and perform a thorough, “like-new” cleaning job before leaving your property. Start by cleaning the ceiling fans and keep going until all the floors have been mopped. 

However, this sounds too simple for anyone to do. If you find yourself in this situation, here is the perfect checklist for cleaning when you want to move out of your apartment. Alternatively, you can hire a luxury moving service to do the jobs.

Ultimate moving cleaning checklist

Depending on the property’s size and state of cleanliness, your move-out cleaning list will vary. We have created a thorough cleaning checklist as a starting point for your convenience.

Whether cleaning yourself or hiring an experienced move-out cleaning company, it is crucial to know what must be cleaned for a move-out. Your rent or buying agreement is a great place. To prevent having to re-clean or lose some of your deposit, it is best to ask if there are any requirements for cleaning, as realtors frequently have them. Starting with our expert move-out cleaning checklist is a wise decision.

Remove all your personal belongings

Taking out all your personal belongings from your home should be the first item on your move-out cleaning checklist. That includes furnishings, devices, accessories, and wall art, among other things.

Vacuum the entire floor

Vacuum the entire house one last time. Do not forget to vacuum stairwells, nooks, closets, and other challenging spots.

Dust and clean the surface

Wipe off bookcases, window panes, fireplace mantels, kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, and other hard surfaces using an all-purpose surface cleaner, a roll of paper towels, or a clean cloth.

Kitchen cabinet interiors

Cleaning the kitchen cupboards properly is a crucial task that is simple to overlook. There, food debris and components for cooking are frequently assembled. Therefore, be sure to note it on your checklist for house moving cleaning.

Clean and scrub the bathroom

When you have finished vacuuming and dusting, it is time to prepare and thoroughly clean the restrooms. That is obviously a difficult task. It is, nonetheless, an integral aspect of your cleaning procedure. Thoroughly clean the toilets, sinks, showers, and bathtubs. Furthermore, ensure there is no corrosion, mold, or mildew remaining in the restrooms before closing.

Remove the wall’s screws, nails, and wall anchors

It is preferable to take out all the wall anchors, hooks, and nails before moving out unless the owner or buyer specifically requested that you do so.

Patching holes and drywall repair

Make sure to seal any unsightly holes in the wall after removing any nails, hooks, and drywall anchors. Consider employing a qualified repair person to complete the task if any drywall must be fixed.

Reclean the floor

After vacuuming and wiping down every surface, finish your move-out cleaning with a final floor cleaning. An easy and secure floor cleaning method is vinegar and warm water. A Swiffer sweeper and a damp towel can do the job of cleaning floors.

Sample move out cleaning checklist for your home

The most efficient way to clean is to start at the top and work your way down. This rule is valid whether you are cleaning just one room or your whole house. If your house has two floors, start with the apartments on the second floor and work your way down to the first floor. Work on each room from the top to the bottom.

Bedroom Checklist

  • Surfaces dusted
  • Marks on baseboards and walls
  • Closet interiors and exteriors
  • Light switches
  • Doorframes and doorknobs
  • Mirrors
  • Area rugs and carpet

Bathroom Checklist

  • Garbage
  • Countertops and shelves
  • Toilet
  • Shower walls, glass doors, and bathtub
  • Baseboards
  • Cabinet exteriors and interiors
  • Floor

Kitchen Checklist

  • Dishes
  • Sinks
  • Countertops and shelves
  • Garbage 
  • Marks on baseboards and walls
  • Small appliances (coffee maker, toaster, and microwave)

Essential items for your cleaning checklist

Being organized is essential for a smooth move and being ready to move clean is also crucial. Restocking cleaning products is one thing that slows down the cleaning process. Before you start cleaning, ensure you have all the necessary cleaning supplies.

A HEPA vacuum cleaner, washing sprays for the kitchen, bathroom, and other surfaces, scouring powder or concentrated cleaning liquid for challenging cleaning tasks, floor cleaner, a lot of microfiber cleaning cloths, and a microfiber mop should be on your list of the cleaning essentials.

Furthermore, you can get scrubbing brushes, squeegees, garbage bags, and safety gear like gloves. You can choose to get a cleaning kit for your home, which would include all the tools and supplies required for cleaning.

Should you use a cleaning service to help with your cleaning checklist?

You have two options for cleaning the house: you can either do it yourself or hire a cleaning service to handle the cleaning.

However, it will be more accurate if you do it yourself. And you can save your money by doing this. But for this, you have to suffer a lot of hassle and consume valuable time. If you have a lot of time, then you can do this.

On the other hand, if you have a  large property, then it may be complex for those with children, a demanding profession, or both to maintain. So it would be best if you also prepared to employ a cleaning service. It might be worthwhile to employ a cleaning service if the return of your down payment depends on it if you rent a home.

We suggest you hire professionals to perform your moving cleaning and do the heavy lifting to make your forthcoming move easier. At Move-tastic’s Services, you will get everything that you need in order to move from one place to another.

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