How to Clean a Rental When Moving Out

Do Tenants Really Need To Do The Cleaning When They Move Out?

The answer depends on what's in your lease agreement. Some landlords may ask for a professional cleaning, while others expect tenants to handle it on their own. Further, checking your lease or asking your landlord for clear instructions is best.

●     Have a conversation with your landlord or agent.

●     Ask them about their expectations.

●     Also, understand what would satisfy them, what might upset them, and what to clean when moving out.

Talking to them is the key so you can address all their cleaning preferences before moving out. It's important not to overdo it! You only need to meet the necessary standards to get your security deposit back.

Cleaning a House before Moving Out

1. The Walls, Doors, and Ceilings

In preparing your old place for a move-out, one of the most significant chores is cleaning and repairing the walls. Since walls are all around, getting them in top condition requires a few measures.

●     Start by removing visible marks or stains using mild soap and water or an appropriate wall cleaner.

●     Further, pay close attention to areas around light switches and door handles.

●     If there are paint chips or damage, touch them up to restore the walls to their original state.

Here are some additional tips on cleaning walls when moving out to improve your chances of getting your deposit back:

Dust and clean: Give a thorough wipe-down to the following:

●     Walls

●     Doors

●     Door frames

●     Light switches

●     Baseboards

●     Ceilings

Moreover, use a damp cloth to remove accumulated dust and dirt. Do you see any spots or stains? Use an all-purpose cleaner to eliminate them.

Remove nails: Decorating your space with pictures and wall hangings adds a personal touch. Well, that often leaves behind wall damage. Now is the time to remove all the nails used in your decorating efforts.

Patch up holes: A trip to your local home improvement store will provide you with a lightweight spackle and a putty knife. Besides, use these tools to fill in any holes you've created by spreading the spackle with the knife.

Repaint (if necessary): Most apartments will repaint all walls before new tenants move in, so repairing any damage you've caused should suffice. However, confirming this with your landlord is always a good idea.

2. Give Priority to the Kitchen

The kitchen often serves as the focal point of a home and calls for extra work during the cleaning process. Begin by emptying and cleaning all the kitchen cabinets and drawers. Remove any leftover food particles or sticky residue from the shelves. You better clean them in full detail using a mild product. Additionally, tackle any grease buildup so all surfaces are effectively degreased and sanitized.

To perform a deep clean in the kitchen before your final inspection, complete the following tasks:

●     Clean appliances: Scrub all of your appliances, including the refrigerator, dishwasher, stovetop, and kitchen range.

●     Wipe down all surfaces: Utilize an all-purpose cleaning solution and a cloth to clean countertops, as well as the doors and shelves of your cabinets.

●     Sanitize the sink: To sanitize the sink, combine two parts baking soda with one part vinegar. Now, begin with adding baking soda to the container, then pour in the vinegar.

3. Scrub the Bathroom

Bathrooms also demand your full attention, maybe more than any other area!

●     Use suitable cleaning products to scrub the shower, bathtub, and toilet.

●     Further, remove any soap scum or mold, and make the fixtures shine.

●     Wipe clean the vanity, mirror, and countertops so they're free of any residue.

●     Remember the grout lines, too. They tend to collect a lot of dirt and mildew over time.

4. Give the Floors a Deep Clean

Do you need to clean the carpets when moving out of the house? The carpet cleaning requirements can vary based on your lease agreement. Some might demand professional carpet cleaning, while others may expect basic vacuuming. The only way to know is to consult the contents of your lease agreement. However, regardless of the carpet, it's a good practice to not ignore the floor that needs cleaning before leaving.

Once you've removed all furniture from the living room and bedroom, thoroughly vacuum, sweep, and mop the entire property. Also, work a little extra on the corners, edges, and areas with high foot traffic. If professional cleaning is necessary, consider steam cleaning or hiring experts to restore the floors to their original condition.

Moreover, it doesn’t hurt to dedicate a little time to doing this. For all you know, the old tenant of the new place you are moving into might also be online searching “how to deep clean an apartment before leaving.”

5. Dispose of the Trash

Make sure not to overlook this essential step while moving. Leave a few trash bags in your old place to facilitate the process. These bags will come in handy for emptying all the garbage cans, including those in the kitchen, bathrooms, and any other spaces. Moreover, take an extra moment to inspect closets or storage areas for any overlooked trash.

Additionally, guarantee that you dispose of all waste properly, following local regulations, before returning the keys. After this, put your time and effort into creating a “furnishing a rental property checklist.” This way, moving into a new place will also be a little easier.

DIY or a Professional Cleaning Company?

Well, the decision boils down to your budget, schedule, stress levels, and your general attitude toward cleaning. Opting for professional help can be a lifesaver, particularly if you're pressed for time. Also, it can feel like a valuable investment after an exhausting move. Yet, it's crucial to pick a reliable company, as a subpar one might leave you dealing with missed cleaning tasks.

But if you’re not on a tight budget, professional help is an amazing option. In reality, the expense of hiring a move-out cleaner can contrast greatly. It takes everything into account, factors such as your:

●     Location

●     Rental size

●     The extent of cleaning needed

As a general guideline, you can expect an average hourly rate ranging from $50 to $75. Here's a rough estimate of move-out cleaning service prices, categorized by home size and excluding additional services. Moreover, it's worth noting that services often quote higher averages for houses than apartments.

●     For homes spanning 1,000 to 1,500 square feet, the average cost typically falls between $120 and $260.

●     While homes ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet can go up to $300.

●     Larger homes with 2,000 to 3,500 square feet might have a price tag of up to $420.

Final Thoughts

Whether you enlist a move-out cleaning service or take matters into your own hands, adhering to this checklist will undoubtedly bring your apartment up to prime move-out condition. Additionally, it's important to keep in mind that even a thorough cleaning won't guarantee a 100% refund of your security deposit (as various factors influence the final amount). It can certainly make things smoother with your landlord.

The more diligently you handle your move-out cleaning, the less effort and expense it will entail for them—and the more you'll retain! But lock it in with DLL Cleaning Services’ proficient cleaning. Backed by a broad network of satisfied clients, we're confident in our ability to meet your needs and those of anyone else requiring our services.