Editor’s Note: This is a guest post written by Jason Sexton, for www.onthegomoving.com
Moving out of your apartment can be a very busy and exciting time. Unfortunately, as moving day gets closer, most people find that the mountain of things to organize, clean, and pack only seems to grow larger and larger. And with this never-ending list of “to do’s” it can be easy to let important tasks slip through the cracks.
One of the most common errors we see people make is forgetting to clean their apartment properly when they move. What makes this mistake so dangerous is that it puts your damage deposit in jeopardy. That’s why at On The Go Moving we’ve compiled an apartment move-out checklist to help you get your old home clean before moving day.
1. Floors
This may seem like an obvious thing to clean when you’re moving out, but you’d be surprised at just how many renters walk out of their apartment doors without a final sweep and mop. This is more than just a quick, casual sweep that we’re talking about – this should be the most thorough cleaning your apartment floor has ever seen. Make sure all hardwood and tile floors are immaculately swept and mopped and that all carpets have been thoroughly cleaned and have had any stains removed.
2. Walls
The condition of your apartment’s walls will play a big factor into whether you see that damage deposit back in your bank account or not, so don’t forget to add this to your moving checklist.
Remove any hooks, nails, or tacks that you have added to the walls throughout your time living in the apartment. Go through and double check every room just to be sure that you’ve removed them all. Once you’ve removed all the wall mounts, be sure to carefully fill and cover the holes so that they blend in with the rest of the wall.
While you’re in the wall cleaning mode, go throughout your entire apartment and wipedown all the walls before you lock the door for the final time. This way your apartment walls will look new and you’ll be able to check that off your apartment move-out to-do list with confidence.
3. Cabinets
Before you move out of your apartment, make sure that you deep clean ALL cabinets. This includes kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and garage cabinets. Sterilize the cabinet interiors with a spray cleaner of your choice and wipe down the outsides, making sure that they look shiny and fresh.
4. Dust Thoroughly
Another important thing that should be on your move-out checklist is dusting. With all the cleaning and moving that will be happening in your apartment, there’s bound to be a lot of dust kicked up in the process. After you’ve finished packing the moving van, set to work and dust every square inch of your empty apartment. Dusting is an easy way to make a space look clean and bright, and you can rest assured that the landlord will appreciate your efforts.
5. Replace Light Bulbs
Replacing a lightbulb or two isn’t much work and goes a long way when it comes to leaving a positive impression on your landlord and the future tenant.
6. Windows And Glass Doors
Using windex or another glass cleaner, carefully wipe both the interior and exterior sides of any windows and glass doors in your apartment. This should be one of the most important tasks on your apartment move-out checklist, as dirty windows will make the entire space feel dirty and ill-maintained.
7. Window Sills And Baseboards
It is easy to forget your window sills and baseboards when you are writing your apartment cleaning assignments. But, leaving these unwiped and grimy won’t give your apartment that fresh, clean look that will get your damage deposit back. Use a damp rag to wipe down all the window sills and baseboards in each room, and before you lock the front door for the last time, do a final walk through just to make sure that you remembered them all.
8. Bathroom
We’re not just recommending a basic bathroom cleaning here, we’re talking a deep, intensive purge that will leave your bathroom spotless. This involves scrubbing down the toilet inside and out, bleaching the tub/shower, unclogging the drains, cleaning the walls, and washing the shower curtain before moving out day. Of all the rooms in the house, you want to make sure the bathroom screams cleanliness!
9. Refrigerator
The tenant who lives in your apartment after you will be so grateful that you took the time to deep clean your refrigerator. Nobody wants the odor of your food in their fridge for the next several months, so it’s important to be considerate and clean it thoroughly.
Completely empty then scrub down/bleach the interior of your refrigerator and make sure the outside has been wiped free of any grime. As a final touch, polish any exterior metal to give your fridge that shiny, new look.
10. Door Knobs, Light Switches, & Outlet Covers
Wipe down and sterilize all door knobs, light switches, and outlet covers. You’ll be surprised at just how much dust and grime sticks to these and how clean they will look once you clean them.
Conclusion
Going the extra mile and adding these finishing touches to your move-out cleaning process will win your landlord’s appreciation – as well as secure your damage deposit! Moving on to a new apartment is a busy and exciting time, so use this move-out checklist to help you make the experience a positive one.
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