This post explores the importance of move-out cleaning and shares useful tips and a comprehensive checklist to facilitate the process. By following our advice, you can ensure that you don't miss any important steps in the process!
Last edited May 22, 2024
Doing a move-out cleaning means that you clean and tidy up the home you are moving from so that it is left in a condition that meets the requirements of the lease agreement or to impress the buyer if you are selling the home. It's a big job and doing it yourself requires a good guide and checklist. There is a lot to remember and it must be done thoroughly. Expect it to take time.
A cleaning company estimates that a move-out cleaning of a studio apartment takes about 10 hours. Kitchen and bathroom take the longest. Try to work systematically and empty the home before you start. Doing a move-out cleaning with all the things left in the home is not a good idea, it will take much longer then.
If you don't want to hire a cleaning company to do the job. You can get a tax deduction for move-out cleaning, a serious company explains and solves all that for you. If the company wants to be paid in cash or cannot provide a tax deduction, you should check them carefully, then there is a high risk that everything is not quite right and that the tax authorities may not be informed. You don't want to contribute to anything like that!
But if you are going to clean yourself, you can try to think positively and a little outside the box. Here are some suggestions for what you can do. Invite your friends to a cleaning party. Arrange cleaning products and a list of what needs to be done in each room.
Assign the guests a room to start in and set a clear time, we're done at 1 PM for example. Then offer a more luxurious catering dinner outdoors as thanks for the help. Or get the family to help and agree to take one room per day, that also makes it easier. Or think of it as a few good workouts, a home gym of giant format. Set the clock or start your training app and see what effect a move-out cleaning has.
Finally, here is a general checklist for performing an effective move-out cleaning
- Clean the oven both inside and out.
- Clean stove, even behind and stove hood.
- Wipe the inside and outside of refrigerator and freezer.
- Clean sink and drain / water trap.
- Wipe all surfaces, including kitchen counters and cabinets.
- Wipe baseboards
- Clean windows.
- Defrost the freezer / clean behind it.
- Wipe radiators.
- Mop the floors.
- Clean fixed lighting
Bathroom
- Clean the toilet, including behind and around the cistern.
- Wipe radiators.
- Wash bathtub or shower and wipe shower walls. Also underneath. Shower curtains are usually not considered to belong to the home but are the tenant's own.
- Clean sink including water trap and mirror.
- Wipe baseboards.
- Wipe all surfaces and clean bathroom cabinets.
- Clean and disinfect the floor.
- Remove cobwebs from ceiling and corners.
- Wipe baseboards.
- Vacuum or sweep the floor.
- Wipe surfaces, including bedside tables and lamps.
- Clean closets both inside and out.
- Clean windows and windowsills.
- Wipe radiators.
Living room
- Vacuum or sweep the floor.
- Wipe all surfaces.
- Clean windows and windowsills.
- Remove cobwebs from ceiling and corners, wipe baseboards.
- Check and clean any fireplaces or stoves.
- Wipe radiators.
General areas
- Vacuum or sweep all floors.
- Wipe all surfaces, including doors and windows.
- Clean windows both inside and out if possible.
- Wipe radiators.
- Clean and vacuum any curtains or blinds.
Before you finish the move-out cleaning, double-check with the landlord or real estate agent to ensure that you have met all requirements and expectations. Having a well-organized checklist helps you keep track of what needs to be done and ensures that you don't miss anything important.
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1. How long does it usually take to do a move-out cleaning of a studio apartment?
A move-out cleaning of a studio apartment takes about 10 hours, with the kitchen and bathroom taking the longest.
2. What is a good strategy for effective move-out cleaning?
Empty the home before you start cleaning, work systematically and use a checklist to ensure that nothing is missed.
3. How can you make move-out cleaning more fun and effective?
Invite friends to a cleaning party, arrange cleaning products and tasks, or see the cleaning as a workout.