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How to Clean an Apartment Before Moving Out
Are you ready to move out of your apartment? After you've packed up all of your belongings, there's one final step you'll need to tackle before you can settle into your new space: cleaning!
Not only does tidying up help prepare the apartment for the next tenant, but it may even be required to get your security deposit back. Plus, you may find a few long-lost items as you sweep under the bed and clean out those cabinets!
Not sure where to start? Today, we're sharing how to clean an apartment before moving out in this simple step-by-step guide!
1. Fix Minor Wall Damage
Chances are, you've already stashed your artwork, diplomas, and family portraits away in boxes. Yet, when you do so, you leave behind tiny holes in the wall. The same goes for anything else you hang up, such as decorative shelves, towel hooks, or light fixtures.
Repairing these small crevices is relatively simple. All you need to do is carefully fill in the holes with a small amount of commercial putty and touch up the paint. Here's a quick guide to help you get started!
2. Dust and Sweep
Now's the time to clean away those dust bunnies and cobwebs that might have been collecting in the corners of your apartment. As you move from room to room with your broom and vacuum, don't forget to check the ceiling, too! It's easy for dust to accumulate up there, and it usually goes unnoticed.
If you have a popcorn ceiling, swap the dry broom for a damp paint roller with a high nap. This will be a little gentler on the textured surface, but it will still get the job done.
3. Wipe Down Doors
It's easy to forget about your doorframes, knobs, and actual doors when you're living in your apartment from day to day. Yet, these are the surfaces that get touched the most often. That means they carry the most grime!
Dampen a microfiber cloth in a little detergent and warm water, and wipe all of these spaces down. In addition to the primary doors, remember to also wipe the cabinets in your kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room!
4. Dust the Blinds
Blinds are a great staple in any apartment, affording you privacy and shading your furniture from the sun. However, they can also get pretty dusty over time. As you go through your cleaning checklist, remember to vacuum them down!
If you want to save a little time, you can also put an old, clean sock over your hand and dust each rung manually. Dampen the sock just a little and run your hand gently over the surface, rinsing and cleaning as required.
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5. Clean Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are also easy to miss, especially if you don't use yours too often. If you have an extendable duster, you can use it to wipe down the top of each slat. If yours is a handheld model, you can tape it to a longer handle, such as your broom pole, to give you the height you need.
6. Wash Windows and Mirrors
From toothpaste splatters to hairspray, our mirrors can see plenty of messes over time. Before you move into a new apartment, take the time to thoroughly clean yours. While you have your glass cleaning products out, go ahead and wash your windows, too!
Once you spray the solution onto the surface, wipe it quickly with a lint-free cloth. While washing the windows, don't forget to also clean around the window frame, as well as any hardware used to open and close them.
6. Wash Windows and Mirrors
From toothpaste splatters to hairspray, our mirrors can see plenty of messes over time. Before you move into a new apartment, take the time to thoroughly clean yours. While you have your glass cleaning products out, go ahead and wash your windows, too!
Once you spray the solution onto the surface, wipe it quickly with a lint-free cloth. While washing the windows, don't forget to also clean around the window frame, as well as any hardware used to open and close them.
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7. Deep Clean Cabinets
You might have taken out your food and paper products, but have you truly scrubbed down your kitchen cabinets? What about the ones in your bathroom or utility room?
In addition to removing loose debris, it's also important to wipe these surfaces clean. Start by using a handheld vacuum to remove small crumbs or particles. Then, wipe them down with a microfiber cloth and a little dish soap.
8. Clean the Lights
In addition to dusting all of the light fixtures in your apartment, another one of our cleaning tips is to sanitize your light switches! A simple swipe with a sanitizing wipe is all you need to keep them clean.
9. Deep Clean the Bathroom
Before you turn in your keys, remember to give the bathroom a thorough clean. In addition to wiping down all of the surfaces, don't forget the smaller details, such as scrubbing the grout in the shower and shining up the faucets at the sink.
This includes lifting up the toilet lid and cleaning underneath and all around it, as well as around the base. This definitely isn't the most glamorous step, but it's the one that will make the biggest impression -- and the one that the next tenant will appreciate the most!
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10. Vacuum, Sweep, and Mop the Floors
As you clean your apartment, you're bound to dislodge some debris. You'll also spray chemicals that could fall downward. That's why we recommend saving your floors until last.
If you have carpet, vacuum those areas carefully, using a commercial carpet cleaning solution to lift away any stains. Then, sweep and mop your tile or hardwood floors to remove loose particles and stuck-on grime. Keep pets and small children away during this time, and remind everyone not to walk on the floors until they're completely dry.
LEARN HOW TO CLEAN AN APARTMENT BEFORE MOVING OUT
Your apartment move-out cleaning day doesn't have to be a major chore. As long as you know the steps to follow, you'll find that this process flows relatively smoothly! It can help to prepare a few days ahead of time, cleaning out cabinets, packing up your closet, and paring down your pantry so there's less to clean around. What cleaning is wanted during move-out can change from one apartment community to the next, so be sure to check with your property manager to see what is required for your apartment.
Now that you know how to clean an apartment before moving out, are you ready to start looking for a new rental? Schedule a tour today to check out our community at Hearth Hollow Apartments!