Everything is packed and on its way to your new home. What is there left to do? If you want to get your security deposit back, you’ll need to do a thorough deep clean of the apartment before closing the door behind you for good.

Start with our official moving out cleaning checklist. Follow this, and you’re sure to please even the nit-pickiest of landlords.

Bathroom 

The bathroom is one of the most unpleasant places in the house to clean. That’s why you want to leave it spotless for your landlord when you move out. When cleaning the bathroom, focus on:

  • Dust and clean the exhaust vent cover and fan 
  • Scrubbing grout and tiles with a vinegar and water solution 
  • Wiping down and sanitizing all surfaces 
  • Scrubbing away soap scum or limescale around drains and faucets 
  • Clean the mirror and vanity off any smudges or water spots

If you cleaned your bathroom regularly, once a week as recommended, then this list shouldn’t be too hard to tackle. Remember to keep your bathroom cleaning supplies, like rags and sponges, separate from equipment for other rooms, so you don’t spread germs. 

Kitchen 

If your appliances are coming with you on your move, you’ll get a good look at how dirty small gaps the space behind the wall truly gets if you haven’t cleaned there before.

Areas such as underneath big appliances, between the stove and counters, and behind the fridge accumulate dust, food crumbs, and gunk. Use a vacuum for large debris, scrub with hot soapy water, and wipe with a microfiber cloth. 

Pay attention to high traffic areas and places you may not clean often, such as cabinet faces and handles, walls, garbage disposal, and inside cupboards and drawers. 

Bedrooms and Living Room 

Particular areas to pay attention to in bedrooms and the living room are areas previously hidden by furniture. Dust and clean the walls and other structures before vacuuming, so you don’t brush dirt onto a clean carpet. Take care to treat any stains on the carpet and wipe down baseboards. 

You don’t need to use heavy-duty cleaner or strongly smelling chemicals, either. White vinegar is incredibly versatile. Use it to make a simple glass cleaner solution for spotless windows. 

For Pet Owners 

Pet owners especially should take special care with rental apartment cleaning. Floors, especially carpet, tend to hold in pet odors, even if you can’t smell them. Pets constantly shed dander, fur and track dirt from outside or from litter boxes. 

Using a high-quality vacuum made to tackle pet hair, do a preliminary sweep over the floors. Next, sprinkle baking soda or a pet deodorizer solution over the carpet and let it sit overnight. Vacuum the carpet again and repeat, if necessary.

Scrub areas your pets frequent or near litter boxes. Cleaning after pets is no easy task, but a professional cleaning company can eliminate pet odor and leave your home looking (and smelling) pristine. 

Follow Our Official Moving Out Cleaning Checklist

Before you leave your old apartment for good, don’t forget to follow our moving out cleaning list to ensure you get your security deposit back. If cleaning your apartment when moving isn’t something you have time for, the Home Keepers can help.

Click here to see our cleaning packages and get a quote for apartment move out cleaning today.