April 30, 2023
Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Moving can be incredibly stressful, even if you’re excited about it. But before you can enjoy your new home, you have to take care of the old one. When you move out of your NYC house or apartment, you’ll need to handle some final cleaning tasks to get your space ready for the next resident. We’ve created a convenient guide to make sure you don’t miss anything.
General Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Regardless of whether you live in a home or apartment, there are certain cleaning tasks that you don’t want to miss. These steps can apply to any room in your home and give you a great place to start when cleaning your space before you move out.
Tend to all floors and sweep, mop, or vacuum where needed. If you notice any stubborn stains on your carpet, now is the time to tend to them.
Next, remove nails from the walls and patch any holes. If you’ve hung up any pictures, shelves, or other wall décor, you’ll want to remove them and fill in the holes that were left behind. You may or may not need to repaint those sections of the wall; if you’re moving out of a rental space, contact your landlord to find out what you’re responsible for.
Clean all doors and door frames. These areas tend to be forgotten during regular cleanings, but when you’re moving out, it’s particularly important to pay attention to these spots. Not only will a deep clean make your doors and door frames more presentable, but it will also ensure that the next tenants have a clean slate as soon as they walk in.
Clean all windows and mirrors. You might be surprised at how big of a difference this small step can make! While you’re at it, take a few extra minutes to dust the blinds and clean the windowsills. This process doesn’t take long, but it can completely transform how the space looks for the next tenants or your potential buyers.
Bathroom Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Now we can discuss more room-specific steps to cleaning your space. First: the bathrooms. Cleaning the bathroom is a chore that few people enjoy, but it’s one of the most important things to tackle before you move out.
To start, empty your cabinets and wipe them down with an all-purpose cleaner. While you’re going through your things, take the time to declutter any products that are empty, expired, or simply don’t get used. Using an all-purpose cleaner will get rid of any dirt and dust that’s left behind.
Deep clean your shower and tub, toilet, sink, and countertops. This step might go without saying, but it’s a critical part of getting your space ready for a new resident. Take the time to get the corners and grout that may have been neglected before. Scrub the sinks and faucets as well as the toilet bowl, lid, and outside. If your shower has glass doors, be sure to give them some extra attention.
Bedroom Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
When it’s time to move on to cleaning the bedrooms, there are a few more unique steps to take.
Start by emptying your dresser and/or nightstand drawers and wiping down the interior. Just like you did in the bathroom, you should take this time to declutter. Consider getting rid of clothing that doesn’t fit or appeal to you anymore.
Clean under the bed and sweep or vacuum any dust or dirt left behind. We’ve already talked about cleaning your floors in general, but the space under the bed tends to be forgotten. With so much foot traffic in the bedroom, it only makes sense that dirt and dust easily accumulate under the bed.
Finally, clear out your closet and sweep or vacuum its floor. Simply emptying out your closet isn’t enough when you’re moving out. Particularly if you have a walk-in closet or you use the space to get ready in the mornings, there’s a good chance that the space is dirtier than you think. Luckily, it shouldn’t take long to clean the floor and wipe down any shelving.
Kitchen Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
One of the most important areas to clean before moving out is the kitchen. Not only is it one of the most high-traffic rooms in any home or apartment, but it’s also one of the spots that potential buyers or tenants are most concerned with. Having a spotless clean kitchen could make it easier to sell your property or, at the very least, get your security deposit back!
As with most of the other rooms, your first step will be decluttering. Empty out your cabinets and pantry, then wipe them down to remove any dirt or crumbs. It may go without saying, but now is the time to throw out any expired food you find along the way.
Clean the inside and outside of all your major appliances, including your oven, stove, microwave, and fridge. The insides of appliances tend to get neglected, so don’t be afraid to use a little elbow grease. If you’re worried about using chemicals in your appliances, try a homemade cleaner.
Wash your sink and backsplash to eliminate loose crumbs or food that may have gotten stuck while washing dishes. Wipe your counters down, too, since they’re likely to get dirty during this process.
Living Area Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Finally, it’s time to tackle the main living space in your home or apartment.
Pay particular attention to the walls in your common area when cleaning the living room. Remove scuffs with a Magic Eraser if needed. Make sure all nail holes are patched, and take time to get rid of any dust or cobwebs that may have accumulated on the ceiling or ceiling fan.
In addition to cleaning your floors, you’ll want to dust and wipe the baseboards. Since the living space gets so much foot traffic, the baseboards are probably dirtier than you’d expect! If you have an entry closet, clear it out and wipe down all flat surfaces before vacuuming or sweeping its floor.
Hiring Move-Out Cleaners in NYC
If you don’t have the time or ability to clean your entire home or apartment before moving out, consider hiring a professional in New York like White Glove Cleaner. Our team will ensure your space is as spotless as the day you moved in, and you can save lots of time and money compared to handling the task yourself. Contact White Glove Cleaner today to learn more about our move-out cleaning services in New York City.