A Comprehensive Move-Out Cleaning Guide for Homeowners

Clean Queen: 8/21/2023

Are you moving into a brand new home? Does the thought of performing a thorough move-out cleaning of your old house stress you out? Don’t fret; we’ve got you covered.

This guide covers everything you need to know about move-out cleaning, from creating a checklist to keep track of all the tasks to hiring a professional move-out cleaning company to do the hard work for you.

Call us nowand get a quote for your eco-friendly house cleaning service in less than a minute!

What Is Move-Out Cleaning and Why Is It Important?

Move-out cleaning is a meticulous cleaning process performed before vacating a home or property.

It involves a complete top-to-bottom cleaning approach that has regular cleaning tasks as well as more time-consuming ones that are often overlooked, such as cleaning fixtures and hard-to-reach spots.

The primary purpose of doing this deep clean is to ensure that the property is clean and well-maintained for the new house owners.

Move-out cleaning is important for other reasons as well, namely:

Security Deposit: You might have given your landlord a security deposit, which the landlord is supposed to return when you leave. A move-out cleaning can ensure you get your security deposit back, as landlords expect a spotless property.
Property Appeal: Having a clean and well-presented home can help you attract potential buyers and help you sell your house faster.
Hygiene: Ensuring a clean and sanitary living environment for the new tenants is essential, especially in areas like the kitchen and bathroom, where dirt and grime can build up over time if not cleaned.
Stress Reduction: Moving can be a stressful experience, and having a clean and organized property can help you reduce stress and make the transition smoother.

Move Out Cleaning Checklist

Cleaning the whole house can be an overwhelming task. With so many different areas needing attention, missing the important ones is easy.

Fortunately, we’ve compiled a move-out cleaning checklist so you can keep track of everything that needs cleaning.

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most important areas in any house. Cleaning the kitchen and ensuring it’s spotless is essential.

Start by cleaning the countertops and backsplash.
Clean the sink and fixtures.
Dust inside the cabinets.
Clean the stove and surrounding area.

Bathrooms

No one likes a dirty bathroom, which is why it’s important to pay utmost attention to them while performing a move-out clean.

Clean the mirror and countertops.
Disinfect the toilet.
Scrub the shower or bathtub.
Sweep and mop the floor with disinfectant.

Bedrooms and Living Areas

Ensuring the bedrooms and living areas are ready for the next occupants is vital.

Be sure to dust all surfaces.
Clean the closets.
Wipe the walls and windows.
Empty any trash bins.
Vacuum and mop the floor.

Additional Areas

If your house has areas such as hallways and entryways, you may want to clean those as well.

Dust thoroughly.
Wipe the mirrors.
Clean any switches and outlets present.
Vacuum and mop the floors with disinfectant.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Since move-out cleaning is a significant task, it’s easy to make mistakes. To help you avoid common errors and save yourself the hassle, we’ve compiled a list of cleaning tips and pitfalls to watch out for.

Cleaning Before Packing: This can consume your valuable time and contribute to your stress. Pack your belongings before starting the cleaning process.
Leaving Trash Behind: Leaving trash or food behind can attract pests and create unpleasant odors.
Not Properly Cleaning Carpets: Neglecting carpets can lead to odor build-up and deductions from your security deposit. Consider hiring a carpet cleaning service for the best results.
Cleaning Too Late: Cleaning too close to the move-out date can result in a rushed job and potential issues with landlords or new tenants.
Neglecting Hard-to-Reach Areas: Ignoring hard-to-reach areas, such as window frames, cabinets, and cupboards, can leave the property looking unclean.

Hiring Professional Cleaning Services

If you dislike cleaning or find yourself short on time, you can hire a professional cleaning team to do the dirty work for you. Hiring these professional cleaners who provide move-out cleaning services can have several benefits, including:

Time-Saving: A professional move-out cleaning crew can complete the cleaning process more efficiently, saving you time and allowing you to focus on the more important aspects of your move.
Expertise: These teams have the experience and knowledge to clean your home correctly, ensuring that everything is left neat and sanitized. No more neglected areas!
Equipment and Supplies: Aside from doing basic move-out cleaning, these professionals have specialized tools and cleaning supplies, which can result in a more thorough cleaning.
Reduced Stress: Hiring a cleaning company can help you reduce the stress that comes with moving out. You can leave all the hard work to them.

Costs of Move-Out Cleaning

Move-out cleaning in the United States costs around $1,300 on average and can go up to $6,000. However, you should note that the cost depends on several factors, such as:

Size of the Property: Larger properties, such as houses, are generally more expensive to clean as compared to apartments due to the increased square footage and the number of rooms.
Level of Cleaning Required: The cost will be higher if deep cleaning is required or there are other specific cleaning needs, such as carpet cleaning or mold removal.
Location: Prices may be higher in areas with a higher cost of living or with a higher demand for cleaning services.
Additional Services: If you require additional cleaning from your professional cleaning service, such as grout cleaning or hardwood floor polishing, they may charge extra.

Final Thoughts

Move-out cleaning is a crucial aspect of the moving process, as it ensures that the property is prepared for the new tenant.

By maintaining a checklist, you can cover all essential areas of the home while avoiding common mistakes that homeowners often make.

However, homes can be large, and not everyone has the time or energy to tackle the cleaning aspect of moving out. Fortunately, we have a solution! Let us handle the cleaning for you.

At Clean Queen, we provide move-out cleaning services using only the finest natural cleaning products. We can help spare you the hassle of move-out cleaning at an affordable price.