Moving is stressful and exciting and tiring – we get it! As one of the major student housing management companies in the Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins area, we help people find apartments who are relocating.
Between the packing, cleaning, and organizing, things can start to feel a tad overwhelming. We’ve put together this comprehensive rental move-out cleaning checklist to lighten the load and ensure a smooth transition.
After all, a well-kept apartment means a refunded security deposit. Whether you’re moving out of a rental for the first time, or you simply need a reminder, this list is bound to help.
You’re going to want a good playlist and an outfit you don’t mind getting messy…
Let’s dive in:
Apartment Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Some of these specifics might vary, but most of this information will be relevant to your move, regardless of where you live.
General Cleaning
As a general rule of thumb, it’s always better to clean the top of your apartment and work your way down. Dust tends to fall on surfaces and floors as you work, and this method prevents you from cleaning floors and counters twice.
Interior Apartment Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Most student housing management companies will expect your apartment to look the same, if not better, when you move out as the time you moved in. These apartment move-out cleaning tips will help you get there!
When it comes to interior cleaning, focus on the following items:
- Wipe down the ceiling, removing any spots, stains, & spider webs.
- Dust all fans & fixtures.
- Clean any dead bugs out of the lights & replace dead bulbs, inside and out.
- Wipe down your heating/air conditioning vents.
- Windex all windows on both sides & clean the windowsills.
- Dust your blinds.
- Make sure all smoke detectors are in-tact with functional batteries.
- Run a damp washcloth over your walls, shelves, & floorboards.
- Clean doors & door handles.
- Dust all closets.
- Mop & vacuum – don’t forget to clean behind your laundry machines!
- Remove all your personal belongings from the apartment.
- Wipe down the interior and exterior of your laundry machines, clearing the dryer lint trap as well.
Depending on the state of your apartment, you may need to invest in some additional cleaning supplies. For the time being, however, a damp washcloth and a little soap will do wonders for most (if not all) of these tasks!
Exterior Apartment Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Most apartment communities will take care of communal exterior cleaning, but there are a few checklist items you’ll want to look over if you have a deck or patio at your apartment or live in a house.
For example, you should…
- Clear your garage/carport of paper, cigarette butts, & trash.
- Sweep patio/deck, entryway, & stairs.
- Mow and trim grass, weeds, & bushes if you’re responsible for grounds maintenance.
- Make sure final trash pickup is complete (including yard waste).
- Dust cobwebs from your entranceway and porch/balcony.
Completing these basic items will probably take the bulk of your time, but there are a few (more particular) cleaning jobs that will also need attention.
Kitchen Cleaning
Because the kitchen is used so often, it’s probably going to need the most TLC in your apartment moving process. Tackle the food, grime, and stains one at a time with this room-specific apartment move-out cleaning checklist:
- Scrub down the inside of your drawers and cupboards with soap and water.
- Wipe the range hood & exhaust covers clean.
- Sanitize the sink & dishwasher, emptying them of personal belongings.
- Double check the garbage disposal for clogs & run hot water through it.
- Clean the oven grill, microwave, & stovetop.
- Sweep & wet-mop the floor.
- Replace burner drip pans.
- Thoroughly wipe down all surfaces, backdrops, walls, & counters.
- Disinfect any appliances that will be left behind (refrigerator, microwave, etc.).
- Clear out all food & ice cubes from the refrigerator.
- Empty dishwasher & clean it, inside and out.
When you’ve got a kitchen even Gordon Ramsey would be proud of, you can move onto the most daunting task: cleaning the bathrooms.
If it’s any consolation, bathrooms are usually lower maintenance than kitchens when it comes to apartment cleaning.
Bathroom Prep
If you can see it, you should probably clean it. After all, you want your bathroom to be sparkling when you finish up!
For some reference, you’ll need to…
- Empty & wipe down all drawers and cupboards, inside and out.
- Clean the mirrors with a glass cleaner & lint-free cloth.
- Sanitize all surfaces, cleaning the toilet bowl, shower, tub, & floors.
- Focus the majority of your cleaning on your toilet, sink(s), tiles, & drains.
- Dust off your fan while you’re at it!
Once your bathroom is in tip-top shape, you can complete the final steps of this apartment move-out cleaning checklist.
Final Steps of Moving Out
After all the cleaning you’ve done, your place should be spotless. But just in case, you’ll want to do a once-over to ensure everything is cleaned and prepared for the next resident. Many student housing management companies can be particular about their checkouts, and you don’t want to miss any important details.
Keep in mind, you CAN hire a cleaning service to prep your apartment, but you are still fully responsible for the results – good or bad.
While this list might seem intimidating, it’s really not so bad! The process goes a lot quicker than you realize. And when you’re done, you can say goodbye to your old home and look forward to an exciting start somewhere else!
Here’s to a quick, simple, and efficient move.
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