Moving can be a stressful experience, and ensuring your rental property is thoroughly cleaned before moving in or out is essential. A clean home can help you get your security deposit back and make a great impression on new tenants. Use this comprehensive move-in/move-out cleaning checklist to make sure no detail is overlooked.
Entryway
- Dust and Wipe Down: Clean all surfaces, including doors, door frames, and light fixtures.
- Floors: Sweep and mop hard floors; vacuum carpets and rugs.
Living Room
- Dust and Wipe: Clean all surfaces, including shelves, furniture, baseboards, and light fixtures.
- Windows: Clean the inside of windows, sills, and tracks; wipe down blinds and curtains.
- Floors: Vacuum carpets and rugs; sweep and mop hard floors.
- Walls: Remove any cobwebs and spot-clean walls for marks and fingerprints.
Kitchen
- Countertops and Cabinets: Wipe down all surfaces, inside and out.
- Appliances:
- Refrigerator: Empty and clean inside and out, including shelves and drawers.
- Oven and Stove: Clean the oven, stovetop, and range hood.
- Microwave: Clean inside and out.
- Dishwasher: Wipe down the interior and exterior.
- Sink and Faucet: Clean and polish the sink and faucet.
- Floors: Sweep and mop the floor, paying attention to corners and under appliances.
- Trash: Empty trash cans and replace liners.
Bathroom
- Shower and Bathtub: Scrub and sanitize tiles, grout, and fixtures.
- Toilet: Clean and disinfect inside and out.
- Sink and Countertop: Clean and polish sink, faucet, and countertop.
- Mirrors: Clean mirrors to a streak-free shine.
- Cabinets and Drawers: Wipe down inside and out.
- Floors: Sweep and mop the floor.
- Walls: Wipe down tiles and remove any mold or mildew.
Bedrooms
- Dust and Wipe Down: Clean all surfaces, including furniture, shelves, baseboards, and light fixtures.
- Windows: Clean the inside of windows, sills, and tracks; wipe down blinds and curtains.
- Closets: Wipe down shelves and rods, vacuum or sweep the floor.
- Floors: Vacuum carpets and rugs; sweep and mop hard floors.
- Walls: Remove any cobwebs and spot-clean walls for marks and fingerprints.
Laundry Room
- Washer and Dryer: Clean the exterior of both appliances; wipe down the interior if necessary.
- Shelves and Cabinets: Dust and wipe down surfaces.
- Floors: Sweep and mop the floor.
- Lint Trap: Clean the lint trap in the dryer.
General Areas
- Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans: Dust and clean all fixtures and fans throughout the home.
- Switch Plates and Doorknobs: Wipe down all light switch plates and doorknobs.
- Air Vents: Dust and clean air vents and replace filters if necessary.
- Trash and Recycling: Ensure all trash and recycling bins are empty and liners replaced.
Final Touches
- Odor Control: Use air fresheners or natural odor absorbers to ensure the home smells fresh.
- Inspection: Conduct a final walk-through to ensure all areas are clean and nothing has been overlooked.
- Repair: Patch any holes in walls and touch up paint if necessary.
By following this detailed checklist, you can ensure that your rental property is left in pristine condition, whether you’re moving in or out. A thorough cleaning will not only help you get your security deposit back but also make your new space feel welcoming and ready for a fresh start. Happy moving!