Cleaning Tips when Moving Out

Moving out can be a hard task on its own, but you should also keep in mind that without proper cleaning of your old home you will have difficulties getting your deposit back. You should make sure things look great so the inspection can go smoothly. The first thing that needs to be done is to remove the nails and staples you have stuck to the walls, doors and ceilings of your place. Go through each room and remove scuff marks everywhere you see them, as this will improve the overall looks of the place before you move out.Kitchens require a lot more work than most other places as they see a lot of food and other biodegradable waste that happens to be the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. You can start with the following:

• Cleaning the kitchen sink is the first and most important step as you begin, as it will contain food scraps and a thriving colony of bacteria in most cases. You will need to clean it, then sanitize it as best as you can until you’re sure things are working well.

• Next comes the refrigerator, starting by removing the drawers and shelves from it and the freezer, placing them in the dishwasher or washing them by hand. You can dip a sponge in a mix of water and bleach and wipe down the freezer and fridge once they thaw. This will help sanitize and clean the area, just remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

• The oven is another place that needs more care. You can use oven cleaner to get rid of the stuck-on food and other build-up, but remember to make sure you wear gloves and goggles as well as having strong ventilation in the area, as these are harsh chemicals. Moving out without making sure the oven is clean may lead the landlord to charge you extra for cleaning!

• Cabinets can also be cleaned with the usual multi-purpose cleaner, making it safe to do so without damaging anything.

• Light fixtures can also be cleaned with a damp cloth, as they tend to collect a lot of dust as time goes by. Make sure you act carefully around them, regardless of the material they’re made of, since they’ll be left behind while you’ll be moving on.

• The floors also need cleaning, so you should start by sweeping and mopping it. Pull out the fridge, stove and other appliances that get in the way, but be careful as they can scratch the floors if handled wrong. If you have a cat, then you are probably already aware of how much hoarding cats do and why you need to do this.

• Bathrooms also need more cleaning than usual, so make sure you are perfect in the deep cleaning of the toilet, shower, tub and sink. Remove any caulk build-up and wipe down all fixtures with pure white vinegar. You must also clean the medicine cabinet, vents, mirrors and anything else that needs it. Avoid using ammonia for cleaning or even worse, mixing it with bleach.

Following these tips will ensure that the process of moving out is the easiest possible! Let’s hope that you manage to get the house as clean as possible before you move out to avoid the wrath of the landlord!