What to Clean for an Apartment Move-Out

Moving is a pain. So much to do in so little time! Here is a checklist to help with the move-out cleaning part of it. These are the apartment cleaning tasks that are usually done. Some landlords will give you a checklist and it will probably have many more items on it but, if you haven’t received one, this is a good guide.

Kitchen

This is the most intensive part of a move-out cleaning. Be sure you have a decent stepstool or ladder to help you get to those high, hard-to-reach areas. Here is the breakdown:

(standard cleaning tasks)
> dusting
> wiping countertops
> stovetop (a soap pad goes a long way to getting those baked on spots—and usually won’t scratch, but > test it)
> sink
> microwave inside and out
> spot cleaning fronts of cabinets
> vacuuming
> mopping

(special tasks)
> dusting or wiping down on top of cabinets (be sure to have a big enough stepstool)
> damp wipe inside cabinets
> cleaning the oven (you may want to use a commercial cleaner like Easy Off to save time)
> wipe out the fridge (don’t forget the outside)

Bathroom

This is the next most intensive area.

(standard tasks)
> dust
> sink
> toilet
>tub and tile
> mirrors
> vacuum
> mop

(special tasks)
> inside medicine cabinet
> tub stains (Bartender’s Friend, while not nontoxic, is a good stain remover)

Other areas

(standard tasks)
> dust
> vacuum
> mop

(special tasks)
> clean out the drawers in built-ins, shelves in closets
> (optional) clean inside-facing window surfaces/surface between window and screen
> damp wipe baseboards
> look over the ceilings and corners for cobwebs
> smudges on door jambs and doors

That’s the checklist! It should get your apartment good and clean. If your unit is 500 square feet or less, plan on half a day, if larger, a full day. Of course, a move-out is also something my service will do for you. I’d be glad to save you that extra step and do a solid apartment cleaning to please your landlord!