Leave your apartment spotless — and get your rental sedimentation back in full — with our ultimate apartment cleaning checklist .
The last of your belongings are packed , but there ’s one box you ca n’t record up just yet : clean supplies . A dirty flat or condominium can be a deal - breaker for start out your depositary money back , but you do n’t have to hire a cleanup service to get the job done . Our complete apartment move - out cleaning checklist has everything you postulate todeep - clean your spacebefore you head out and turn in your winder . Now seize your cleaning putz , turn on your favorite playlist , and get cleaning !
Apartment Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
When clean an flat , always make from the top ( roof devotee , window , rampart ) to the bottom ( base , baseboards , carpet ) . This allows dust and soil to fall to the priming as you clean , so you do n’t have to sweep or hoover multiple times throughout .
1. Clear Cobwebs from Ceiling
You might have desolate this step throughout your entire lease , but remember to scavenge the ceiling before move out . practice a broom or vacuum to help pull down cobwebs . Have a Zea mays everta ceiling ? wrap a damp high - nap pigment tumbler over the cap to peck up dust and cobwebs . It wo n’t knock down piece of the popcorn finish as a Calluna vulgaris might .
2. Dust Blinds
Grab an older brace of socks and put one on like a glove . ( Trust us , this cleaning hackseriously works ! ) Dip it in body of water until it ’s dampish , then run away your hand across each rung to rid the blind of rubble . This method work outstanding to cleanse heaters , too !
3. Wash Windows
apply awindow or crank cleanertowash your windows . Simply spray the root onto the window and wipe quickly with a lint - free cloth to avoid run . ensure to dust off the handles , lock , and between the sliding track if your windows have them .
4. Remove Any Nails and Patch Walls
Thegallery wall looked greatwhile it hold out , but now it ’s time topatch up your walls . apply commercial putty and paint in the same people of color as your wall ( sometimes your landlord will provide this ) to reinstate it to its original Department of State . Be certain to apply a putty tongue to properly utilise the product .
5. Check Lights
confirm whether any electric light have go out , and substitute them as necessary . sprinkle the fastness , and apply a cleanup wipe tosanitize lite switches . A sirocco with an extendible arm will help you reach tall cap lights .
6. Check Smoke Detector
If your fume detector is beeping , the battery likely needs to be replaced . But even if it ’s not , you should ensure all bullet alert have workings batteries , especially if they came that way when you go in . Most come with a test button you’re able to urge to indicate shelling life ; a fallible or nonexistent signal signify it ’s time for young batteries .
7. Clean Walls and Baseboards
utilise the thicket attachment on your emptiness to remove any detritus lingering on your baseboard or trim . If you have discoloration on your walls , grab a microfiber material andwash the walls using an appropriate cleanerfor the paint finish .
8. Clean Carpet
Carpet stain are jump to happen . murder them by applying commercial-grade carpeting cleaner and permit it seat for a few minutes . apply a microfiber fabric to blot the stain aside . Somecommon carpet grease ask a specific solutionfor remotion , so be trusted to utilise the right product for your flat carpet cleanup .
9. Vacuum and Mop Floors
Last but not least on yourapartment move - outcleaning checklist : Vacuum andmop the floors . Save this one for last as rubble and chemicals have likely fallen while clean elsewhere . Let crime syndicate members know not to take the air on the story until completely dry , and keep favorite in another way .
Room-by-Room Apartment Cleaning: Kitchen
Your kitchen is one of the hard working rooms in your home , but it ’s also a attracter for grease , crumbs , and filth . Make certain to give your apartmentkitchen a deep cleanbefore your move - out inspection .
1. Clear Out Cabinets and Pantries
Start by removing everything from your storage locker and pantries ( this is a smashing time to slash expired nutrient , too ! ) . absent any ledge liners and wipe down the shelves with a damp textile . you may also make unnecessary clip by using the brushing affixation on your vacuum to suck up any crumbs in a snap .
2. Wipe Down Fridge
First , dispatch all fridge subject and drop away any expired point . Pack food for thought into a cooler until you ’re cease cleaning . A nebuliser nursing bottle with one part bake pop and seven part weewee will work marvel forcleaning your refrigerator interiorand exterior . Be indisputable to wipe the drawers , doors , and hold using theDIY cleaning root , too .
3. Clean the Oven
Look to the auto - clean setting on your oven to do the filthy work while you criticise other items off your flat cleanup checklist . Prefer toclean the oven yourself ? Combine pee andbaking soda to form a spread , then sweep the mixture onto the inside of the oven , avoiding the coils . Once dry , spray distilled white vinegaron any remaining residue and pass over clean . Make indisputable to wash the grating and rack , too .
4. Sanitize the Sink, Drain, and Disposal
earn out a slow drain with the help of one part baking soda and two parts clean distilled acetum . First , add the baking soda to your disposal , then tardily decant in the vinegar . Let the bubbly premix sit for at least 15 minutes , then rinse it out with hot piss . Next , strip the kitchen sinkbasin with a little dish soap and hot water . ironical with a microfiber cloth .
5. Clean the Dishwasher
Use a sanitizing rub to disembarrass your dish washer ’s door of any Georgia home boy trash and backbreaking water spots . Then follow our handydishwasher cleaning guideto see how to scrub the accoutrement and tubful .
6. Sanitize Countertops
A simplesanitizing rub or all - intent cleanerwill make prosperous work ofcleaning countertop . If you havestains or discolored grout , make a library paste of broil soda pop and acetum and apply it to the field . Let it sit around for a few minutes before using a cancel brush to aid restore countertops to their original state of matter . Wipe clean with a fond , damp fabric or paper towel .
Room-by-Room Apartment Cleaning: Bathroom
Beforecleaning your bath , box up all cosmetics , toiletries , and towels that you do n’t use on a veritable basis . Keep only the detail you ’ll need for your final days before moving out .
1. Polish Mirrors
Yes , your landlord will find if you leave your mirror covered in streak and fingerprints . To polish a bathroom mirror , spray an ammonia water - based trash cleaner directly on the mirror , then use a dry lint - devoid material to wipe the surface from top to bottom . Wiping in a orbitual motion will ensure your mirror is streak - spare !
2. Sanitize the Vanity
Use an all - intent atomizer towipe down the Earth’s surface of your bathroom vanity . If the faucet has water supply stains , spray distil whitened vinegar directly on it and pass over dry using a microfiber cloth to smooth . If applicable , wipe out any drawers or cabinet within your vanity .
3. Disinfect the Toilet
seeable toilet ring are a definite no - no when it comes meter to move out . Get rid of them using an all - role bowl cleaner , or essay one of oursurprising commode cleaning hacks . Once you ’ve finishedcleaning the commode bowl , wipe down both sides of the seat and the tank with a bleach - establish cleansing nebulizer . Be sure to give a windowpane or turn on your bathroom fan when pick with whitener .
4. Scrub the Shower or Bath
5. Dust the Vent
recall the bathroom buff ! If you do n’t have admission to the circuit breaker , use a stepladder and a can of breeze to dust off your exhaust fan . For a more thorough sportsmanlike , move out the back and dot the interior follow oursteps for cleaning a bath fan .
6. Mop the Floor
Once you ’ve end up cleaning all toilet surfaces in your flat , focus on the floor . First , pick up any open items , and clean up rubble using a vacuum or ling . Then , mop bathroom floorswith soapy body of water .
Optional:Balcony and Outdoor Space
If your apartment or condo has approach to a secret outdoor patio or balcony , make trusted to remove all personal furnishings before you commence clean .
1. Clean Sliding Door
foliage and dirt have likely made their way into thetracks of your slither door . Use a vacancy to cursorily pick them up or a Calluna vulgaris to help sweep them away . get rid of any dirt or debris will help slither doors easily undecided and faithful .
2. Clean Balcony
flat and condominium balconycleaning is a simple but necessary move - out labor . First , drag off the infinite using a stiff - abound broom . Then , spot - cleanse your balcony with an all - intention cleaner as need until the Earth’s surface is sporty of stain or balance . Wipe down any railings .
Optional:Laundry Room
Clean Washer and Dryer
If you have a washer and dryer in your unit , you ’ll want to make certain any lint or detergent tumble are remove . scouring laundry messes awayusing a dampish microfiber textile dipped in warm water supply .
Once you ’re conversant with all the necessary flat cleaning tasks , persist through this move - out cleaning checklist before you leave . After these task are done , you ’ll be officially ready to move out !
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Credit: Dane Tashima
Credit: Werner Straube
