All your belongings are packed, but there’s one box you can’t seal yet: your cleaning supplies. Leaving your apartment or condo dirty can jeopardize getting your deposit back, but you don’t need to hire a cleaning service to ensure it’s spotless. Our comprehensive move-out cleaning checklist provides everything you need to deep-clean your space before you hand over the keys. So, grab your cleaning gear, put on your favorite playlist, and start scrubbing!
Apartment Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
When cleaning your apartment, start from the top (ceiling fan, windows, walls) and make your way down to the bottom (floors, baseboards, carpet). This approach ensures that dust and dirt fall to the floor as you clean, eliminating the need for multiple rounds of sweeping or vacuuming.
1. Remove Cobwebs from the Ceiling
Even if you’ve neglected this task during your lease, be sure to clean the ceiling before moving out. Use a broom or vacuum to eliminate cobwebs. For popcorn ceilings, use a damp, high-nap paint roller to pick up dust and cobwebs without damaging the textured finish like a broom might.
2. Clean Blinds
Put on an old sock like a glove for an effective cleaning hack. Dampen it with water and then wipe down each slat of the blinds to remove dust. This technique also works well for cleaning heaters!
3. Clean Windows
Spray a window cleaner on the glass and wipe it off swiftly with a lint-free cloth to prevent streaks. Don’t forget to dust the handles, locks, and any sliding tracks if your windows have them.
4. Take Down Nails and Repair Walls
It’s time to dismantle that gallery wall and fix up your walls. Apply commercial putty and paint that matches your wall color (your landlord might supply this). Use a putty knife to ensure a smooth application and restore the wall to its original condition.
5. Inspect Lighting
Ensure all lightbulbs are functioning and replace any that have burned out. Dust off the light fixtures and sanitize the light switches with a cleaning wipe. An extendable arm duster can be handy for reaching high ceiling lights.
6. Clean Walls and Baseboards
Attach the brush tool to your vacuum and sweep away any dust from the baseboards and trim. For wall stains, take a microfiber cloth and clean the walls with a cleaner suitable for the paint finish.
7. Vacuum and Mop Floors
Save floor cleaning for the end. Vacuum and mop all the floors to pick up any dust and debris that settled during your cleaning. Inform everyone not to walk on the floors until they are fully dry, and keep pets in a different area.
Kitchen Cleaning
The kitchen, a hub of activity in your home, tends to attract grease, crumbs, and stains. Ensure it gets a thorough clean before your move-out inspection.
1. Empty Cabinets and Pantries
Begin by clearing out your cabinets and pantries, discarding any expired food items. Remove any shelf liners and clean the shelves with a damp cloth. For a quicker clean, use the brush attachment on your vacuum to suck up crumbs.
2. Clean the Refrigerator
Take everything out of your fridge, disposing of expired items, and pack the remaining food in a cooler. Use a solution of one part baking soda to seven parts water in a spray bottle to clean the interior and exterior of your fridge. Don’t forget to wipe down the drawers, doors, and handles with this homemade cleaner.
3. Tackle the Oven
Utilize your oven’s self-cleaning function if available, allowing you to focus on other tasks. If cleaning manually, make a paste from water and baking soda, spread it inside the oven (avoiding the coils), let it dry, and then spray with distilled white vinegar. Wipe away the residue, and make sure to clean the grates and racks as well.
4. Sanitize the Sink, Drain, and Disposal
To clear a slow drain, use a mix of one part baking soda to two parts white distilled vinegar. Add baking soda to the disposal, then pour in the vinegar slowly. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water. Clean the sink basin with dish soap and hot water, then dry with a microfiber cloth.
5. Clean the Dishwasher
Wipe the dishwasher door with a sanitizing wipe to remove soap scum and hard water spots. Follow a dishwasher cleaning guide to thoroughly clean the accessories and tub.
6. Sanitize Countertops
Use a sanitizing wipe or all-purpose cleaner to clean the countertops. For stained or discolored grout, apply a paste of baking soda and vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub. Wipe clean with a warm, damp cloth or paper towel.
Bathroom Cleaning
Prepare your bathroom for cleaning by boxing up cosmetics, toiletries, and towels that aren’t part of your regular use, keeping only essentials for your final days before moving out.
1. Mirror Polishing
Ensure your mirror is spotless before you leave; any streaks or fingerprints will catch your landlord’s eye. Spray an ammonia-based glass cleaner ($3, Walmart) directly onto the mirror, then use a dry lint-free cloth to wipe in vertical motions for a streak-free shine.
2. Vanity Sanitization
Clean your bathroom vanity thoroughly with an all-purpose spray. For stubborn water stains on the faucet, apply distilled white vinegar and polish dry with a microfiber cloth. Don’t forget to wipe down drawers or cabinets inside the vanity if needed.
3. Toilet Disinfection
Avoid leaving visible toilet rings when you move out. Use an all-purpose bowl cleaner or try effective toilet cleaning hacks to remove stains. After scrubbing the bowl, wipe the seat and tank with a bleach-based cleaner, ensuring good ventilation during use.
4. Shower or Tub Scrubbing
For a sparkling clean bathroom, tackle grimy tubs or showers with vinegar and dish soap. Follow our bathtub cleaning guide to eliminate mold and buildup, paying attention to spots under shampoo bottles where soap scum collects. After shower use, squeegee the walls to prevent residue buildup.
5. Vent Dusting
Don’t overlook the bathroom fan! Use a stepladder and air canister if you can’t access the circuit breaker to clean the exhaust fan. For a thorough job, remove the cover and follow our steps to clean the interior properly.
6. Floor Mopping
Finish by cleaning the bathroom floor. Remove loose items and use a vacuum or broom to clear debris. Mop the floor with soapy water for a fresh and clean finish.
Balcony and Outdoor Space
If your apartment or condo features a private outdoor patio or balcony, start by clearing out all personal furnishings before commencing the cleaning process.
1. Refresh the Sliding Door
Ensure smooth operation of your sliding door by clearing out leaves and dirt that may have accumulated in its tracks. Use a vacuum to swiftly remove debris or employ a broom to sweep it away, facilitating easy opening and closing.
2. Revitalize the Balcony
Cleaning your apartment or condo balcony is essential for a tidy move-out. Begin by sweeping thoroughly with a stiff-bristled broom. Next, use an all-purpose cleaner to spot-treat any stains until the surface is free of residue. Don’t forget to wipe down the railings for a complete refresh.
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