Moving out soon? You may not be thinking about cleaning your old apartment, but this is a must if you want to receive your security deposit. It’s especially helpful when I have a lot of things to do to keep track. It’s a great way to feel accomplished and satisfied during the tedious task of moving. Considering professional move out cleaning in Auckland could save you time and ensure your place meets the standards for a full deposit return.
After doing the dirty work more than I can count, I am ready to share the details of what to clean and where to do it. This handy checklist will help you to not only get your security deposit returned, but also avoid being charged any surprise fees.
I will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions, such as whether or not it is worth hiring someone to do a move-out clean and what you can expect to pay. You’ll know how to clean your apartment to a pristine condition by the end of the blog. Then you can enjoy your new home and settle in.
A woman in her late twenties with short hair squats down to use a pink microfiber towel to clean the radiator of her apartment. She is cleaning her apartment to get her deposit.
This is your essential move-out cleaning checklist: the top 11 things to do in every room before you move
Restoring an apartment, duplex or townhome to its original condition (or even better!) is part of a standard lease agreement. A standard lease agreement includes a clause that states you must return the apartment, duplex, townhome or house to its original condition (or better!) As you walked through the house to ensure that everything was in order when you first moved in, so will your landlord do a walk-through to ensure the property is in good condition for the next tenants. Here are 11 things you can do to make sure your rental looks pristine before moving out. It’s not necessary to follow the steps in a specific order. However, we recommend that you work from top to bottom – ceilings to floor – to avoid having more than one cleaning.
1. Removing all nails and filling in holes.
You can make your space unique by decorating the walls. And you’ll be taking those wall decors with you when you move. What’s left behind? Wall damage. It’s the same for any additional fixtures you added to make your home more attractive think of towel hooks and hat racks. Also, consider furniture anchors, clocks, shower caddies or other accessories. Remember how you had to drill a few times before getting the holes for the TV mount just right? They’ll be obvious once you remove the TV. For example, you’ll have to repair any damage done to the wall surfaces or sheetrock, then touch up all the paint.
2. Paint if necessary.
It’s completely understandable if you have changed the color of your walls to match your personal preferences. Now is the time to restore those walls to their former glory so that the next tenants can enjoy them. It is required in many leases to return your deposit, as non-neutral colors can affect the rentability of the house. If your landlord gives you permission to use custom colors, then go ahead and do so. Just make sure to get the approval in writing.
Take a sample of the paint to a store, and they will mix a small batch that matches your original color.
3. All doors and door frames should be cleaned.
In routine cleaning, doors are often overlooked. The sparkle factor of your walk through can be greatly improved by simply cleaning the frames and doors. We’re not talking only about the doors of rooms. Kitchen, bathroom and other permanent cabinet doors are included. It’s possible you won’t even notice the grime until they are cleaned!
4. Dust ceiling fans
You may be like me and avoid dusting your ceiling fans during normal cleaning, but this is an area that you must clean before moving out. Attach your duster to a long-handled object, such as a broom, using temporary tape. If your duster can be bent, you get extra points! You won’t need to find a ladder to reach the blades.
5. Keep your windows and mirrors clean.
The smallest details can make a huge difference. Clean windows and mirrors will give your home a whole new look. Do not forget to clean and dust the blinds, as well as the sills. Use newspaper to achieve a streak free finish.
6. Cleaning out the cabinets and cupboards is important.
Remove everything from every cabinet and cupboard in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and closets. Wipe down any gunk or crumbs. Do not forget to remove all pesticides, sticky traps or air fresheners.
Pro tip: Toss out old cabinet liners when you are cleaning. After you’ve done this, the cabinets will appear cleaner and the next tenants will appreciate a fresh start.
7. Clean all sinks, bathtubs, showers and toilets.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It may seem obvious, but it is important to deep clean your showers and bathtubs. Remove as much grime as you can from the drains and grout, and make sure that the sinks are sparkling. Toilet bowls, lids, and outside should all be cleaned.
8. Your appliances will look brand new.
If you can. You’ll either need to hire someone to do it or put in some elbow grease. Appliances can become a little dirty over time. Remove every think in the refrigerator. You’ll also need to work hard to make sure that your microwave, stove, oven and refrigerator look clean.
9. Clean the baseboards, trim and dust.
Use a damp rag or duster to clean the baseboards, trim and other surfaces. You would be surprised at how neglected these areas are and the difference that a simple cleaning can make. And, don’t worry. No, I don’t mean scrubbing the baseboards on your hands and knees like Cinderella. Take a flexible mop and bend it on one side. Bam! You can now clean your baseboards with ease and without straining your back.
Pro Tip: Want to do double duty? Use a dryer sheet to dust your baseboards, trim and baseboards while cleaning. What’s the best part? The dryer sheet can help keep dust away in the future!
10. Vacuum, sweep, and mop the floor.
Some cleaning checklists may tell you that you should leave your floor in “broom-clean” condition. This means you simply sweep the floor and you’re done. This is rarely enough for me. You should thoroughly vacuum carpets, and mop any hard surfaces such as tile, hardwood or other flooring. You should remove any fur from corners, under furniture, and other areas where fur may have collected. If you find any “accidents”, clean them up.
11. Remove the garbage.
Do not forget to throw away all of your garbage. You’d be amazed at how many people leave the last bag in a room. Do not be that person.
Pro tip: Take pictures of your apartment once it has been cleaned. This is best done during the walkthrough with your landlord. This will help you keep a record of your apartment’s condition when you move out. You can refer to it if there are any problems with the deposit.
