When moving out of apartment, you have to do a lot of planning, packing and cleaning. You may be tempted to move out quickly, but you may lose your security deposit if you fail to clean your apartment properly.  To make things easy you can just call professional end of tenancy cleaners and not worry about returning your deposit back.      

If you are not sure what to clean, you should contact your landlord to know his or her expectations. In this post, we are going to provide moving out of apartment cleaning checklist that will help you clean your apartment properly.

Reasons to use checklists

There is lot of good reasons why you should use a checklist when cleaning your apartment. A checklist can not only increase your productivity but also reduce human errors.

First of all, a checklist can make your work easier. When you have a lot of things to clean, it is natural for you to skip something. A checklist can remind you of everything you have to clean, step by step.

When you are under a lot of stress, decision fatigue can be a real issue. A checklist can significantly reduce your decision fatigue by reminding you of every little thing you have to clean before leaving your apartment. That is why it is called moving out of apartment cleaning checklist.

It can eliminate mistakes and drive your consistency of work. When you are in a hurry, you tend to make more mistakes. A checklist can reduce or eliminate those mistakes. If a few people are doing the cleaning work, checklists can make sure that all tasks are completed properly.

Quick checklist

  • Dust all nooks and crannies, light fixtures, ledges, window frames, staircases and ceiling fans
  • Use a magic eraser to remove scratches on the walls
  • Sweep and mop tiled floors and hardwood, vacuum all carpeting
  • Hire a professional cleaner if necessary
  • Wipe down doors, doorknobs, walls and baseboards
  • To remove smudges, use a glass cleaner
  • Use gloves when cleaning kitchen appliances
  • Avoid leaving leftovers. Make sure your fridge is clean when you leave your apartment
  • Mow the lawn and do what it takes to clean the exterior
  • Clean the garage

In-depth checklist

Have you decided to use a moving out of apartment cleaning checklist, congratulations! Now we are going to provide checklists in detail. If you use them, you will be able to clean out your apartment satisfactorily when you move out. And that is very important.

Kitchen

Common appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves and stoves tend to attract dust, grime and grease. To remove stains, you can use cleaning solution and a sponge. They can help you remove any residue. Wipe inside the microwave and the oven. If you have a drier and a washer, check them to see if there are cloths inside.

Once you have removed items from your kitchen drawers and cabinets, wipe them out with a wet paper towel. Clean the outside.

Here are a few things to consider:

  • Check the sink. The kitchen sink should be draining properly. If necessary, release water after blocking the drain. After that, release the plug. The water will flow through the drain. If you notice bubbles forming, there may be a blockage. You can use some Drain or run the disposal. If they are not effective, you may need to check the underdrain. If necessary, use a suction pipe.
  • Clean the oven. For most renters, it is a dreaded task. You have to reach the casseroles and scrub the residue. At the bottom, you will find mess. Clean it. Purchase some oven sprayable cleaner. Read some instructions. There are some oven cleaners that require strong ventilation and protective equipment. Underneath the drawer and in front of the oven, place some newspaper.
  • Clean the microwave. If you have some food splashes, you will have to scrub them off. However, combating microwave grime is not difficult at all. Heat up some water and take a few spoons of vinegar. This mixture is enough to clean the microwave. When it comes to preparing a moving out of apartment cleaning checklist, you should not skip the microwave.
  • Disinfect the dishwasher. Clear the drain area by pulling the bottom rack. Pour some vinegar into a cup. To remove grime and odor from the dishwasher, you need some hot water. Sprinkle some soda on the dishwater. To remove the remaining odors and stains, run a cycle with hot water.

Bathroom

Use all-purpose cleaner if you want to make you bathroom shine. To scrub your bathroom floors and toilet bowl, use this cleaner with a sponge. If you want to remove stains or mold, use a toothbrush.

If you make your own moving out of apartment cleaning checklist, cleaning the bathroom should be one of the most important tasks on the list. If you notice stains, you can use some bleach. Cleaning the mirrors is another important thing. Clear the drawers and wipe the counters. See this checklist:

  • Scrub the toilet. First, pay attention to the toilet bowl. Sanitize it with some powerful disinfectant. If there are hard water stains, try to remove them. Use a toilet brush to clean the bowl. When you are done, flush everything down.
  • Clean the bathtub. Use a cleaning powder or cleanser to clean the tub. Use a toothbrush to clean the tile floor. You can add a chemical cleaner.
  • Clean the mirrors, windows and drawers. If there is anything in the vanity or cabinets, wipe them away with a rag. Make sure the rag is wet. If there are pieces of dirt or grit, a vacuum hose can help you. Use a clean rag and cleaner for mirrors and windows. Your moving out of apartment cleaning checklist is incomplete without these tasks.
  • Clean the bathroom sink. To get this job done, use a soft rag and a disinfectant spray. Use some vinegar or lemon juice if you are cleaning a ceramic sink. If the stains are tougher, use a sponge and baking soda and scrub it.
  • Mop the floors. You can use a wet rag to clean the floor if the bathroom is not large. Use a mop if the bathroom is large. Use a small brush to remove the grout.

Bedroom

Cleaning the bedroom is an important part of the process. It is of utmost importance to clean the bedroom, because this is the place where your guest will sleep. Here are the steps:

  • Wipe down furniture, ceiling fans and walls. To dust off doors, windows and ceiling fans, use a rag and a disinfectant spray. If you find cobwebs, clear them out. If the walls are painted, wipe the walls lightly with a damp rag. If necessary, use a step stool or ladder.
  • Wash the windows. Open the windows and use a cleaner to clean the tracks. To reach the crevices, you can use a sponge. After that, close the window. Take a paper towel and wipe down the window repeatedly. Use a dry, clean towel to wipe the surface.
  • Clean your window blinds. First, remove the window blinds. Then take some warm water and dish soap in a bucket and place the window blinds in the bucket. Wait for half an hour and then rinse them. The procedure will save your time and effort.
  • Clean the floors. If you find tough stains, use a carpet cleaner to remove the stains. If you have a carpet, vacuum it. For tile or hardwood, use a mop and a broom. To get this done, you do not need to hire a professional cleaning service provider. When it comes to preparing a moving out of apartment cleaning checklist, cleaning the floors is another important task.
  • Clean the carpet. Use a broom to sweep floors, and then empty trash and dust into a dustbin. Sweep the furniture, appliances, heating units and floor corners. If there is any dust remaining, mop the floors. Your floor will look fresh and shiny.

Cleaning the exterior

When it comes to making a moving out of apartment cleaning checklist, you also have to be careful about cleaning the exterior. Here are a few words about this important task.

  • Pull the weeds and cut the grass. Once you have cleaned the interior, pay attention to the yard. Pull large weeds and remove fallen leaves. Yes, you should prioritize the inside, but cleaning the yard is highly rewarding.
  • Sweep the balcony or porch. Use soap and a brush to scrub porch steps. Spread some dish soap on the concrete patio and use a broom to scrub it. Use a hose to rinse it off. Use a less harsh solution if it is a stone deck. You can use this solution by mixing some soap crystals in a bucket of water.
  • Sweep the garage. If there are items stored in the garage, remove them. Thoroughly sweep the ground. Open the door of the garage and spray on the floor. Make sure your hose is aimed at the garage door.

Last sweep

Another important task of your moving out of apartment cleaning checklist is one last sweep. In a sense, this is the final task on your list.

  • Remove screws and nails from the walls. Pull out nails from the walls with a cat’s paw or hammer. If the nails are loose, you can also remove them with your hands. You can loosen the nails by using a lightweight spackle.
  • Clean outlets, switches and light fixtures. If there are dirt marks or fingerprints, wipe them off with a rag. You can also use a disinfectant cleaner.

Additional tips

  • It is a good idea to talk to your landlord before you start working. While some landlords hire professional cleaners, others do not provide this service. Most landlords have experience in working with professional cleaning services.
  • Ask your landlord to provide an estimated cost of repair. Check if the services are overpriced. And if the costs are not high, you can consider taking the bill. When you are going to implement the tasks of a moving out of apartment cleaning checklist, you should pay attention to these tips.

Things you will need

  • Rubber gloves
  • Paper towels
  • Sponges
  • Scrubbing brush
  • Bathroom cleanser
  • Powdered cleanser
  • Glue
  • Oven cleaner
  • Kitchen surface cleaner
  • Bathroom cleaner
  • Floor cleaner
  • Window cleaner
  • Broom
  • Mop and bucket
  • Lightweight putty
  • Vacuum
  • Bucket
  • Spot remover
  • Toilet cleaner
  • Toilet brush
  • Washcloths
  • Garbage bags
  • Soap

When cleaning your apartment, it is natural to feel overwhelmed. You will feel less stressed if you have a checklist. If you use the checklists provided in this article, hopefully you will be able to clean your apartment before you leave it. 

Professional cleaning companies also use end of tenancy cleaning checklists – make sure you check them out before you book end of tenancy cleaning in Croydon.