The Ultimate Apartment Move Out Cleaning Checklist

You're all ready to hit the road. Your bags are packed and the moving van loaded - it's time to move on to the next life adventure, but wait you still need to carry out apartment move out cleaning! 

Yep, that’s right, it's time for the big cleanup. It’s the grand finale of apartment living: move-out cleaning!

Let's face it, giving your place one last scrub-down can feel like climbing Mount Everest without the right gear. It’s going to be exhausting but well worth the elbow grease to ensure you get your deposits back and leave with a good reference from your landlord. 

So, what's it gonna be? If you're leaning towards letting the pros handle it, Happy Home Helpers is the dream team for the job. 

However, if you feel confident then you can tackle all aspects of apartment move-out cleaning with our handy checklist. 

Cleaning Solutions:

• Multipurpose cleaner
• Window cleaner
• Disinfectant
• Toilet cleaner
• Specific floor cleaner
• Oven degreaser
• Stainless steel polish (if needed)
• Baking soda & white vinegar

Cleaning Gear:

• Microfiber cloths for dust and spills
• Sponges and brushes for tough spots
• Rubber gloves
• Mop & bucket for floors
• Broom & dustpan
• Vacuum (with attachments for every nook and cranny)
• Squeegee or window tool
• Extendable duster for those out-of-reach places
• Trash bags for cleanup

Apartment Move-Out Cleaning Tips

Pro-tip Before You Start: 

Wait until your apartment is empty before starting the apartment move out cleaning process. You want all the nooks and crannies of the spay easily accessible. 

Clean from the ceiling down to the floor - because gravity loves to mess with us, ensuring you'll only have to tackle those floors once. 

Clean the Dust Bunnies in High Places

Chances are, you've been giving your ceiling the cold shoulder on cleaning day. Now's the time to buddy up with a broom or an extendable duster to evict those dust bunnies and spider roommates from the ceiling corners.

Do you have a popcorn ceiling in your apartment? Cleaning a popcorn ceiling is a bit tricky. 

Grab a damp paint roller and gently roll away. It's like magic - minus the popcorn texture rain shower. 

Clean the Windows for a Clear View 

Arm yourself with window cleaner and a trusty cloth. Aim, spray, and wipe those windows down using circular motions to avoid streaks. 

Don’t forget to clean the windowsills and the window locks. Wipe down the slide-through tracks with a damp cloth to remove grime accumulation. 

Wall Wipe-Down 

You might not even realize your walls have been discolored until you remove any pictures and paintings. 

Eye those walls for any scandalous stains and show them who's boss with a microfiber cloth dipped in a wall-friendly cleanser. 

For the stubborn spots, enlist a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to whiten the areas so your walls look like they are a consistent color. 

Carpet Rescue Mission

Staring down carpet stains? Call in the heavy-duty carpet cleaner pros if the apartment carpet is too dirty.

If you don’t want to spend money on professional carpet cleaning then you can opt to tackle the task using a rental cleaning machine or with a simple spot clean formula. 

If your carpet looks good and hasn’t sustained any serious staining then a quick vacuum might do the trick. 

Baseboards & Floors

Time to tackle the baseboards and floors. Give those baseboards a good scrub, then move on to mopping and vacuuming. 

Do you share your home with furry friends? Keep them in a safe spot away from damp floors, and make sure your housemates know it’s a no-go zone until dry - no paw prints allowed! 

Kitchen Clean-Up

Ah, the kitchen: the battleground of grime and leftovers. 

This hotspot for messes won't stand a chance when you focus on move-out apartment cleaning. 

Fridge Refresh

Make sure the fridge is empty. Use a vinegar-water mixture (one part vinegar and seven parts water) to wipe down the inside of the fridge.

Remove any shelves or drawers to scrub in the sink or shower. 

Oven Overhaul

Whether you’re letting the oven’s self-clean feature do its thing or opting for a hands-on approach with a baking soda-water paste, make it shine. 

Apply the DIY baking soda/water paste or use an oven cleaner. Avoid getting the solution on the coils, let it all dry, and then wipe it down with vinegar to lift away debris and dirt. 

Dishwasher Detox

Run a regular cycle with your trusty dishwashing detergent. For any lingering residue, a quick scrub should do the trick, and don’t overlook the door—wipe it down for a spotless finish.

Sink & Disposal Sanitization

Clear those drains with some baking soda, follow up with white vinegar, and after a 15-minute wait, flush with hot water. 

Scrub the sink with dish soap and hot water, then dry it off for a gleaming look.

Countertops & Cabinets

An all-purpose cleaner or sanitary wipes will make those countertops look pristine. 

For stubborn residue, a vinegar-baking soda paste is your best friend. 

And for the cabinets? Empty, vacuum, wipe, and you’re done.

Bathroom Scrub Down 

Now, for the bathroom: it’s not as bad as you think! A thorough cleaning here is crucial. 

Shower Scrub

Vinegar and bathroom cleaner are your allies against grime on the countertops, bathtub, shower, flooring, and other surfaces. Let the solution sit before wiping.

To clean bathroom tiles use a dry brush. 

Mineral deposits on the showerhead? Vinegar soak to the rescue.

Sparkling Sink & Faucet

Clean the sink and tackle water stains on the faucet with white vinegar, spraying and wiping down with a microfiber cloth for that gleam.

Toilet Cleanup 

Focus on the bowl, making it spotless and ring-free. Then, wipe down every part of the toilet with a bleach-based cleaner, ensuring good ventilation.

Cleaning the Bathroom’s Cabinets 

Simple yet crucial. Empty, wipe, and admire your work.

And there you have it! Your apartment move-out cleaning checklist is complete! Now it's time to hand over the keys to the landlord and move on.

Why Bother with Apartment Move-Out Cleaning?

As chaotic as moving day already is, factoring in a final clean might seem like the last thing you want to deal with. However, if you want your deposit back and a good reference then you shouldn’t skip the apartment move out cleaning process. 

A sparkling past apartment can lead to glowing references from previous landlords, making your next move a breeze! 

Apartment Move-Out Cleaning Professionals - Happy Home Helpers

If the thought of scrubbing and cleaning while you're trying to pack up your life sounds overwhelming, it's probably because it is. 

So, how can you make your apartment spotless without lifting a finger? Simple: Call in a team of cleaning pros to work their magic and leave your apartment looking amazing. 

At Happy Home Helpers, we specialize in turnkey apartment move-out cleans, guaranteeing a hassle-free handover. Our cleaning professionals show up armed and ready with all the necessary gear to make your place look like it’s waiting for its very first tenant—all in just a few hours.

Ready to leave your apartment spotless without the stress? Request a free quote from Happy Home Helpers and move on to your next adventure with one less thing to worry about.