Moving out is already a lot of work, and cleaning is usually the last thing anyone wants to do. But if you’re hoping to get your security deposit back, it’s worth taking the time to do one final walkthrough. Use this checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything before handing over the keys.
Move Out Cleaning Checklist
Patch Nail Holes and Touch Up the Walls
Go room by room and take advantage of the empty space. Without furniture in the way, it’s much easier to check for nail holes, picture hooks, or other small marks on the walls.
If you find a few nail holes, fill them with a little spackle using a putty knife or even your finger. Let it dry, sand it if you need to, and use matching paint to cover the spot.
Dust from Top to Bottom
Now it’s time to dust the whole house, same as before, go room by room. Don’t be surprised if you find more dust than you expected. Go from top to bottom so you don’t have to clean the same area twice. Start with the ceiling fans, shelves, and blinds, then finish with the baseboards.
Wipe Down Cabinets, Drawers, and Closets
Open every cabinet, drawer, and closet one last time. Wipe down the inside, the shelves, and the doors. Pay a little extra attention to the kitchen since it’s common to find a few crumbs or dust left behind after everything is packed.
Clean the Appliances
If any appliances are staying with the home, give them a good cleaning inside and out. Pay extra attention to the refrigerator, oven, microwave, and dishwasher. Make sure everything is completely dry before closing the doors to help prevent bad odors.
Clean the Kitchen
Clean the countertops, sink, backsplash, and the outside of the cabinets. Before moving on to the next room, check the pantry and under the sink one more time, just to make sure you didn’t leave anything behind.
Clean the Bathrooms
Bathrooms usually don’t take long. Once you’re done cleaning the sinks, mirrors, shower, tub, toilet, and countertops, check behind the toilet and around the base since it’s common to find a little dust or hair there.
Replace Burned-Out Light Bulbs
Walk through the house and turn on every light to make sure they’re all working. If you find a burned-out bulb, replace it before handing over the keys. Don’t forget to check closets, the garage, and any outdoor lights too.
Vacuum and Mop the Floors
Leave the floors for last. Vacuum all the carpets and rugs, then sweep and mop any hard floors. Chances are you’ll be walking through the house a few more times while you’re cleaning, so waiting until the end will save you from doing the job twice.
Carpet Cleaning
If your lease requires professional carpet cleaning, schedule it after everything has been moved out. Keep a copy of the receipt, just in case you need to show proof that the carpets were professionally cleaned.
Almost Done…
Before you call it a day, check for cobwebs in the corners, dust on the window sills and air vents, fingerprints on glass doors and light switches, and dust on the baseboards.
Moving can be chaotic, so don’t worry about making everything perfect. Just take one last look around to make sure you didn’t miss anything.
Need Help with Your Move?
By now you’ve probably realized that moving involves a lot more than just packing boxes. If you’d rather skip all the heavy work, Eco Movers can help.
If you need help packing, loading, transportation, storage, or the whole move from start to finish, remember that we’re here to make the process easier for you. Contact us for a free quote and let’s get you moving!
