You finally packed all the furniture and household inventory, and you feel like you can breathe again, but then you realize you forgot about the move-out cleaning. What a nightmare. But don’t worry – this part of the process doesn’t have to be that hard if you follow our advice. Vacuuming and mopping are much easier once your home is completely empty. Play your favorite playlist, and let’s get down to work!
How to Have a Successful House Move-Out Cleaning?
Having a stress-free relocation experience seems like a mission impossible to many. With so many things you have to accomplish and new responsibilities rising around every corner, it’s easy to lose hope that you’ll ever get through this. Sure, every process has its oscillations, and you’ll feel ups and downs all the time, but there is no reason to lose hope now.
Take a piece of paper, a pen, and write down a good relocation to-do list for starters. This will help you feel like you’re in control of your actions. The key to a successful move-out house cleaning is that you feel energized and focused enough to be able to do it after all the other steps you had to take before, such as packing. You’ll also have to gather some quality disinfectants and other supplies that will make this process more efficient.
It Is for the Best That You Sell or Donate Unwanted Pieces Before You Start Deep Cleaning Your Home
If you have enough time, you can even organize a garage sale and make some extra money. The sooner you get rid of these items, the better because then you’ll have more time for cleaning without unnecessary clutter. If you can’t find any buyers but still want to get rid of particular items, taking them to furniture donation and other specialized centers is always a good idea.
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Free QuoteWhat’s Included in a Move Out Clean?
As we already mentioned, for a thorough apartment move-out cleaning, you need a substantial plan. Start by going through the number of rooms and tasks – for example, if you have large windows covering half of the living room, this might take most of your time. You’ll also have to be realistic while doing this – if you think that your kitchen is in bad condition and your counters require lots of scrubbing, you have to prepare that this process might take you more than one or two hours.
Hire Professionals to Take Care of It
If you feel like going through everything on your own is too challenging for you, or you’re relocating in a hurry and simply don’t have enough time for every task, hiring pro cleaners is always a smart option. Another option is to call your family and friends. Your friends can help you pack fragile belongings or polish the windows while you’re vacuuming and mopping.
Get Cleaning Supplies Before You Start Polishing Your Soon-to-be Former Home
One of the first things you’ll need to do if you want to clean and move efficiently is to get good disinfectants and other supplies that will help you clean your home like a pro. If you already have a good vacuum cleaner and a mop, you have all the essential tools. If you have several carpets in the place, but your vacuum is not the best one, this could be a major problem and a reason for calling professionals. Some other things you can get at the local supermarket and use during the process are:
- All-purpose and oven cleaner,
- Stainless steel cleaner,
- Scrubbing sponges,
- Microfiber cloths,
- Bucket,
- Chemicals suitable for surfaces made of different materials (wood, glass, etc.).
Make Sure You Always Clean Top to Bottom
If you wonder how to begin this process, our advice is always to start from ceilings – light fixtures, curtain rails, and fans are something you should not skip. One of the essential tips is to wear a face mask while doing this because dust and dirt can easily get in your mouth and nostrils. Even if you’re not prone to allergies, try wearing a mask. If your ceiling is high, you’ll have to use a ladder, but if you don’t have it and need to climb a chair, ensure there is someone around to hold it, so you don’t fall. A damp piece of cloth can be used for removing pesky wall stains.
Polish Windows and Door Frames Carefully
Make sure to use appropriate window cleaner when polishing glass surfaces because they won’t leave any stains or marks. For frames and other door parts – apart from glass – you can use a piece of damped cloth. Door frames can also be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner as a first step and then go over them with a damp cloth. If some glass surfaces got broken during your wild moving away party, consider replacing them on time.
Kitchen Cabinets and Counters Might Require More Attention
If you don’t have a habit of regularly deep cleaning your kitchenette, this part might take more time. It is also one of the most challenging parts because you’re not only dealing with dust but also have to take care of some greasy stains and bread crumbs around the cooking area. Start by packing glasses and other dishes and take everything out of the cabinets.
Once everything is packed, and out of the kitchen, all surfaces are easily approachable, so you will be able to clean them much easier. Landlords will pay special attention when checking the kitchen area, so ensure you sanitize everything at the end and leave the whole place smelling good so you can get your deposit back. If you’re leaving some appliances such as the fridge, oven, and microwave, don’t forget to polish them inside out too.
Continue With Vacuuming and Mopping Your Entire Place
Once you take care of particular areas that require additional effort, you can continue with a more general cleanse through all the rooms. This usually requires dusting, vacuuming, and mopping all the floors – in that exact order of actions. Firstly you should vacuum the dust and then go over with a mop for the final touch and extra shine. In case you have carpets, you might have to vacuum a bit harder or even wash them.
You can always make a homemade solution to wash your carpets instead of wasting money on new ones, or take them to a carpet deep cleaning service nearby. If you use some special solutions for mopping floors, ensure they are suitable for the surface you have because wooden surfaces, for example, might be more delicate. Don’t forget to change the water from the bucket frequently when mopping.
Once Everything Else Is Cleaned, It Is Time for the Bathroom
It is very obvious why bathrooms should be the last to clean – you’ll visit them frequently till the very last minute in your old home. You will use them not only for daily routines, but you’ll also have to wash your mop, bucket, and cloths there while cleaning the rest of your apartment, so there is no need to clean it in the middle of the whole process. You can use a sponge for washing most surfaces and a piece of cloth for polishing mirrors and faucets. Check out this video with some cool tips and tricks and clean this area like a pro.
How Much Does It Cost to Have Your Whole House Cleaned by Professionals?
If you’re relocating under budget and want to save some money during this process, you should definitely consider collecting your security deposit. One of the main reasons people don’t get their deposit money back after relocating out of a home is because the owner thinks they left a mess behind. If you want to prevent this and get your money back, you’ll have to ensure everything is sparkling clean before you leave.
One life-saving option is hiring professionals for sanitizing services and adding these costs to your expenses checklist. Depending on your needs and the size of your apartment, you can hire more than one cleaner, and their services around the Bay area will usually cost you about $30 to $50 per hour. The cost will vary depending on the company’s policy, but this is considered the average pricing range. Popular companies that offer these kinds of services in the Bay Area are:
- Adriana’s House Cleaning,
- Bay Area Pro Cleaning,
- Sparkling Clean Pro,
- Cleaning Glow.
Golden Bay Relocation Can Offer You Amazing Relocation Services
Hiring professional movers in Bay Area for local moving services might be a great way to save yourself enough energy for this final cleanse. Once you find enough reasons to move and choose a good place to live, you should contact our customer service and decide which services will work for you the best. Apart from offering you outstanding relocation services, local Bay Area movers can show you amazing relocation hacks that will turn your relocation process into a much more enjoyable experience. They can also show you how to pack books and other household belongings such as fragile dishes, so you’ll have more time for polishing counters and cabinets. Residential relocation service is ideal for relocating your household belongings and heavy furniture, while our commercial relocation service can be more suitable for business-related moves.
We Can Also Offer You Assistance With Other Relocation Needs
Labor-only service is also available and our in- and-out-of-storage relocation service is always a good option if you want to transport your storage belongings. As one of the finest Bay Area moving companies, we can even offer you suitable storage units to rent. We are a trustworthy company that’s been in the business for years, so you won’t become a victim of a moving scam under any circumstances. Feel free to contact us today if you have additional questions and pick a date for your relocation right away. If you want to know the potential price of the required service, all you have to do is ask for a free quote.