The Ultimate Move Out Cleaning Check-list

Do you plan to move out? No matter the reason for moving to a new place, there’s always one last and really important thing you have to take care of, before you end your tenancy. You need to take care of the move out cleaning. But if you have decided to get your own hands dirty and not hiring professional move out cleaners , you will still need some help. Daunted by many, this enormous cleaning check list includes deep cleaning of pretty much every surface in your home. Do not fool yourself into thinking that this task is the same as the usual cleaning you perform each weekend.

Today landlords, letting and real estate agents insist that the properties are cleaned thoroughly and to the highest of standards. To give you a closer look at what chores you have to tackle before moving out, here’s a detailed list:

Kitchen

 

Photo by designbuildinhabit | CC BY-ND 2.0

• Clean and wipe all kitchen surfaces using a chemical spray
• Wall tiles
• All kitchen appliances inside and out – oven, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, dish washer
• Defrost the refrigerator and freezer.
• Clean and polish the oven and hob
• Clean and wipe woodwork and extractor
• Cupboards and drawers
• Sink, taps and make sure to remove lime scale where possible
• Nearby windows with glass cleaner
• Vacuum and mop the floors

Oven

 

Photo by Ryan | CC BY-SA 2.0
One of the places that is usually forgotten or simply not cleaned on purpose during the move out cleaning is the oven. Typically, most tenants think that their landlords won’t notice that it’s dirty or if they do, they won’t make a big thing out of it.

In reality, landlords always check if their tenants have cleaned everything included in the cleaning checklist. If something is skipped they have the right to withhold a part of the tenant’s deposit. To prevent such issues, here are a few extra oven cleaning tips:

• The best time to clean an oven is while it’s still warm. Switch it on and let it heat for a bit – the grease, food stains and baked-on debris will loosen up, making it easier to clean.

• If you want to save some money, consider using home made cleaning solutions rather than expensive commercial cleaners. You’ll get similar if not better results with inexpensive products you can find around the house.

• DIY enthusiasts can prepare a paste of a quarter cup white vinegar, one cup baking soda and two tablespoons salt. Spread the paste into the warm oven and make sure to use protective gloves so that you don’t burn yourself. Leave the solution to dry for 30 minutes, then remove it and wipe the oven.

• Another homemade cleaner you can use is a mixture of equal parts salt and baking soda. Dip two lemon halves into the solution and rub the inside of the oven with them. The lemon will effectively remove any food stains from the oven. Once ready, wipe the oven with a damp cloth.

• It’s also recommend that you use a solution of one cup rubbing alcohol and one cup white vinegar to clean the glass surfaces of the oven. You can use this DIY cleanser to clean the exterior of other kitchen appliances as well.

Bathroom

 

Photo by Kate Ter Haar | CC BY 2.0

• Clean the shower, shower screen and wall tiles
• Sink, shower tray and make sure to remove as much limescale as possible
• Toilet and toilet seat
• Inside windows, mirrors
• Clean and disinfect bathroom floors

Bedrooms and Living Rooms

 

Photo by jinkazamah | CC BY 2.0

• Clean all bedroom furniture and storage units inside and out
• Declutter and remove all items that were not originally in the property when you moved in
• Wipe down and clean door frames and woodwork
• Vacuum and deep clean all carpets and upholstery
• Wipe and clean all skirting boards and radiators

General Cleaning Tips

 

• Dust, wipe and polish all surfaces thoroughly
• Vacuum floors, carpets, upholstery and mattresses
• Clean all glass surfaces with multi-surface cleaning products
• Clean windows, window frames and sill inside and out
• Clean doors and door handles
• Declutter and dust drawers and shelves
• Wipe down and clean all wooden furniture

As you can see the end of tenancy cleaning can be an extremely tedious, difficult and time-consuming task. To minimise the risk of not completing all the jobs expected from your landlord or letting agent, make sure to consult with them prior to the clean. Ensure that you use the proper cleaning products and equipment to guarantee no wear and tear during the process.

Keep in mind that you may need more than one day to tackle all the above-mentioned cleaning tasks, so if you lack the availability to clean on your own, consider using professional help.