Do you have your apartment move-out cleaning checklist? Moving out of an apartment can be stressful. As the move-out day approaches, there is so much to do. Packing everything up and making sure all of your items get loaded onto the truck is a big job. With everything going on, it can be easy to forget one important task – cleaning your apartment.
You want to make sure you leave the apartment in good shape when you move out inspection before you hand over the keys to the new owners. The move-out cleaning is essential if you want your full security deposit back. Your landlord or property manager will do a final walk-through after you move out. They will look everywhere to see if the apartment is clean and undamaged. If they find issues, it can affect how much of your security deposit you get back.
A detailed cleaning checklist can help make sure you double-check everything. Before you hire a cleaning service, use this guide of must-do cleaning tasks by area so your apartment is fresh and clean for the next residents. Tackle the dirty work room by room and hire a cleaning out so your move-out day goes smoothly.
Kitchen
Dust and Spot Clean Kitchen
Thoroughly dust and spot-clean the entire kitchen by dusting ceiling fan blades, light fixtures, tops of door frames, and vents. Use a damp microfiber cloth to spot clean kitchen walls, cabinets, and appliances – removing any dirty spots or food residue.
Be sure to clean dust that builds up on top and underneath the fridge from the refrigerator. Give the floors a good vacuum and mopping to clean into the corners.
Clean Inside Kitchen Appliances
The inside of kitchen appliances needs cleaning too. As recommended on HomeAdvisor, be sure to scrub away grease buildup in the oven and shine up any stainless steel appliances.
Wash inside the microwave fully including the turntable, walls, and racks. Spray oven cleaner over-baked on food or grease inside the oven and on the door – let it sit before scrubbing clean.
Pull out removable parts like racks and drawers from the dishwasher to wash away debris and grime, before cleaning the inside tub and gaskets. Finish by polishing all appliances with stainless steel spray cleaner to make them shine.
Deep Clean Kitchen Counters and Sink
Give all countertops and the kitchen sink a deep cleaning. First clear counters completely. Apply an all-purpose cleaner spray and use scrub pads to remove stains, stuck food, and other dirt from countertops and backsplashes.
Get into the grout lines with a brush to lift grime. Clean the sink basin well with a scrub brush or pad to remove build-up like soap scum and mineral deposits around the drain and faucet fixtures.
Check bottom shelves of nearby cabinets for spills and wash cabinet doors and handles while you’re at it.
Scrub Kitchen Floor
Finally, sweep then thoroughly mop the kitchen floors. Scrub a broom to clean corners and tight spaces to lift surface dirt. Get on hands and knees with a scrub brush to clean floor edges along baseboards, under cabinets, and around appliances.
Bathrooms
Dust Bathroom
Dust light fixtures, bath exhaust fan covers, and tops of door frames
Use a dry cloth to wipe down walls, carefully moving any wall hangings to clean behind
Deep Clean Shower and Bathtub
Spray shower walls, tub surface, tile, and grout with cleaner – let set for 5 minutes
Scrub walls and tub surface with a brush, rinse cleaner away
Use a grout brush or old toothbrush to scrub grime out of grout lines
Clean soap scum and residue off of tub and shower fixtures with a scrub pad
Disinfect Toilet
Flush toilet and add pumice stone to toilet tank – let sit overnight to clean tank
Use a toilet brush and bowl cleaner to scrub away stains inside the bowl and underside of the rim
Wipe the entire exterior surface of the toilet removing dust, grime, and splatters
Clean the base of the toilet where it meets the floor using a small scrub brush
Shine the Sink
Remove everything from the countertop around the sink
Use spray cleaner and scrub pad to remove soap scum, toothpaste, and residue from the sink basin
Clean the faucet fixtures with a scrub pad to make them sparkle
Use a grout brush to clean any dirty grout lines around the sink
Don’t forget the counter backsplash and clean it with a damp microfiber cloth
Make Floors Shine
Sweep and mop the floor starting with corners and along edges to remove built-up dirt
Get a bucket of clean water and add some floor cleaner – mop the entire floor until clean
Check baseboards and use a scrub pad to remove any grime or splatters
Common Areas and Living Spaces
Vacuum All Rooms Thoroughly
Make sure to move and lift any furniture to vacuum underneath
Vacuum along baseboards and edges of rooms
Use a hose and crevice tool to vacuum corners, closets, and ceiling corners for cobwebs
Wash Walls and Clean Switches
Spot clean walls with a damp microfiber towel
Carefully wipe light switch plates removing fingerprints and dirt
Dust and Spot Clean Everything
Run damp microfiber cloth along the top of door frames and vents to capture dust
Move furniture and electronics to dust hard-to-reach spots
Lift and dust under any lamps, decor items, or tables
Scrub Floors and Baseboards
Sweep and mop hard surface floors like laminate, wood, and tile
For carpet, rent a cleaner or hire a professional carpet cleaning service
Scrub baseboard corners and edges to remove built-up grime, dust, and dirt
Wipe Down Doors and Door Frames
Carefully wipe down interior doors – don’t forget the tops and sides
Clean sliding door tracks that may have dirt buildup
Use a damp cloth to capture dust on the fronts of cabinets and closet doors
Finish with the Windows
Wash interior window glass and sills with cleaning spray and microfiber cloth
Carefully remove window screens and use mild soap and scrub brush to clean debris
The Spruce, a leading home and cleaning company, and the website suggest that renters wash windows, dust ceiling fans and fixtures, and spot-clean walls and baseboards before moving out.
Laundry Room
Clean Inside Washer
Use a hot water cycle to wash inside the drum and rinse away residue
Pour 2 cups bleach into the empty drum, and run a clean cycle to disinfect
Wipe the exterior of the washing machine removing dust, drips, or residue
Pull the machine out and clean the floor underneath
Dryer Requires Attention Too
Ensure the lint trap is cleaned out
Use a vacuum hose to remove lint from the trap housing
Pull the dryer out and remove lint buildup behind using a vacuum
Wipe the exterior of the dryer and control console removing dust and fingerprints
Overall Recommendations for Move-Out Cleaning
As you tackle cleaning each room, make sure to pay special attention to some areas that are easy to forget. The condition of these spots can affect getting your full security deposit back.
Make sure all personal items and trash are removed fully from the property including the yard and any sheds or detached garages. Any furniture or items you don’t take must also be removed.
One last recommendation is to have a professional cleaning service and take pictures of the clean property when finished. Having date-stamped pictures proving the condition you left the apartment in can help protect your security deposit.
Tackle this detailed move-out cleaning checklist and you’ll cover cleaning tasks in every area. Putting in a hard work room by the cleaning services room will help get the security deposit you deserve from your landlord before turning over the keys.
