Move Out Cleaning Checklist

INTRODUCTION

Moving out? Or hired to offer a move out cleaning service? Want your full security deposit back? Then, it’s important that you have a checklist. It’s vital for you to leave your old place spotless and damage free. You need a complete scrub down for the entire apartment before moving out. In having a move out checklist, there’s a need to pay close attention to detail. Here’s a list of move out cleaning requirements you need to meet up if you want your full security deposit back.

GENERAL CLEANING

• Take Out All Personal Belongings: Remove furniture, boxes, curtains, blinds. Basically, strip the apartment. This makes cleaning a lot easier. It also makes damage inspection easier as you’d be able to easily take note of any dents or abnormalities in the apartment.
• Vacuum Or Sweep Floors: Vacuum every nook and cranny of your apartment including closets, stairs, carpets, rugs, etc. Get stains removed from carpets and rugs.
• Mop floors: Once all surfaces have been vacuumed or swept, mop the floors with warm water and some soap. Adding vinegar to warm water or using a floor cleaning mixture is great as well.
• Dust and Wipe Down Surfaces: Make sure to use a clean cloth and surface cleaner to dust and wipe down hard surfaces such as bookshelves, countertops, louvres, window panes, and the fireplace. Clean out cobwebs as well, doors, knobs, ledges, and light switches.
• Clean Out Closets: After taking all personal belongings out of the closets, vacuum and mop floors. Afterward, clean shelves, racks, and hanging rods.
• Remove Nails: Take out all nails and screws from the walls and ceiling. Remove all wall anchors and hooks as well.
• Fix Holes: Plaster all holes made from hanging pictures, with putty and probably paint.
• Touch Up Paint: Paint all walls back to their original colours. Touch up scratches and markings on the wall with paint.
• Fix Lightbulbs: Check if lightbulbs are damaged or out, and replace them as you see fit. Dust the fixtures, and use a cleaning wipe to clean light switches. Don’t forget to add light bulbs to burned out fixtures.

CLEANING OUT THE KITCHEN

• Clean Out Cabinets and Drawers: Take everything out of cabinets and clean them out. Wash the front of all the cabinets. Wipe dust, remove cobwebs, brush out any food crumbs that might have settled in there. Kitchen cabinets tend to have residue from food and other cooking products. Clean the front of the cabinets as well. Take all cutlery or kitchen utensils out of the drawers. Remove any deep stains. Completely remove drawers and clean them out with a brush or small broom. Dust afterwards with a damp cloth.
• Clean out Refrigerators and Freezers: First unplug the fridge and freezer before cleaning. Move the fridge and clean around it. Take out all remaining food items from the freezer, and defrost. Scrub inside and outside of the fridge and freezer. Take out all fridge shelves and wash down. Clean the inside of the fridge and freezer with a disinfectant or with water and vinegar. Then use a damp cloth to wipe. After this, use a dry towel or cloth to remove any excess moisture. Be sure to wipe the doors as well.
• Scrub Down The Oven: Take out the grates, racks, and grill from the oven, and wash them. To wash the inside of the oven, get a mixture of water and baking soda to form a sort of paste. Then, use a brush to apply the mixture inside of the oven. Try to avoid any coils. Vinegar could be added by spraying as well to remove any food residue. Then wipe clean preferably with a damp cloth.
• Wash The Sinks: Ensure that the sinks are scrubbed properly before moving out. Remove any mold. Wash the sink with hot water and a little soap – preferably dish washing liquid. Clean the sink drain by adding baking soda and vinegar. Let it stay in for about 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water. Make your kitchen sink shine before moving out.
• Clean Stove Tops: Move stove and clean around, the stove body, and the stove tops. Stove tops are a great place for food particles to hide, and for mold to grow. Remove the burners and clean underneath them. You could sprinkle baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Let it stay for a few minutes, then wash with a sponge and some cool water.
• Clean All Kitchen Appliances: Clean out the inside of the microwave and wash the microwave body. Remove fingerprints and markings on the body of other appliances such as the dish washing machine, blender, etc.
• Clean Kitchen Counters: Wipe down counters tops in the kitchen with disinfectant.

CLEANING THE BATHROOMS

• Clean The Showers And Bathtubs: All showers and bathtubs must be thoroughly scrubbed to remove any rust or mildew before moving out. You could make a paste out of water and baking soda. Then use a sponge to scrub down showers and bathtubs.
• Wash All Toilets: In disinfecting the toilet bowl, mix a cup of vinegar and baking soda. Pour the mixture into the toilet bowl, let it settle for about 30 minutes. After that, scrub properly with a toilet brush. You could also use a trusted toilet cleaner.  If the toilet seat isn’t looking pleasant, try to replace it. After washing the toilet bowl, wash down the sides of the toilet as well as the top of the tank with bleach.
• Clean Mirrors And Glass Fixtures: Wipe fingerprints and stains off all bathroom mirrors. To do this, spray a little glass wiper. Then, wipe the mirror from top to bottom with a dry cloth. Wiping in a circular motion does the trick best. Or you could add a little vinegar in water and use it to wipe the mirrors and fixtures.
• Clean Bathroom Sinks/Basins: For bathroom basin, sprinkle baking soda generously on the sink, then rinse with cool water.

CONCLUSION

If you follow these steps, you’re well on your way to moving out with a clean legacy and collecting your security deposit back.