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DIY move-out cleaning vs. professional move-out cleaners

As long as your apartment is deep cleaned before moving out, you should get your deposit back. However, you still need to decide who is going to actually clean it. Think about the following points when choosing whether to do it yourself or hire a professional cleaning service:

Pros of DIY cleaning

• Avoid the expenses of hiring professional cleaners
• Ensure everything is cleaned to your standards
• Likely pay less for cleaning supplies than a cleaning service
• Spread out the cleaning over time so it’s not as strenuous

Pros of professional cleaning services

• Professional cleaners will save you a significant amount of time
• Cleaning can be accomplished in just a few hours
• Your house will be cleaned after in-and-out traffic has stopped
• You will not have to make the effort to clean yourself

Choosing do-it-yourself move-out cleaning

If you choose to clean your apartment yourself, you need to stay organized. Your checklist will depend on the size of your property and additional rooms, but you can use the lists below to get started.

Kitchen cleaning checklist

• Clean out the refrigerator
• Defrost the freezer
• Clean and wipe down the countertops and kitchen cabinets (inside and out)
• Degrease the oven, stove and microwave (inside and out)
• Remove debris and wipe down the sink
• Sweep and mop kitchen floors
• Wash the walls and baseboards

Bathroom cleaning checklist

• Remove all soap and toiletries from the area
• Deep clean and disinfect the shower and/or bathtub from top to bottom
• Remove the shower curtain if it was not installed when you moved in
• Wash the shower curtain if it was included at move-in
• Scrub the toilet
• Sweep and mop bathroom floors
• Wash the counters, rails, faucets, walls and baseboards

Bedrooms, hallways and living areas checklist

• Use glass cleaners to clean windows and wipe down window sills
• Wipe blinds
• Clean outlets, switches and light fixtures, turning the electricity off while using liquid
• Wipe shelves prior to cleaning floors
• Sweep and mop floors or vacuum and steam clean carpets
• Wash the walls and baseboards

Hiring professional cleaners

Hiring professional cleaners is physically easier for you, but you also need to prepare. Before they come, make sure you remove your belongings and gather your personal documents, so they’re not accidentally thrown away. If you still have items in the house that haven’t been moved, make a no-touch zone so they can clean most of the apartment.

Be clear about what tasks you want the cleaners to accomplish and their price. It’s likely to be cheaper and easier for them if you remove any clutter before they arrive. The more of your personal belongings and appliances that are removed, the faster they’re going to be able to clean.

The choice to clean your apartment yourself or hire a professional is up to you. Consider the information above and make the best choice based on your budget, schedule and lifestyle. Whatever option you choose, you’ll still need to make sure all areas of the unit are covered. Use this downloadable checklist for a more comprehensive list of everything that needs to be done for move-out day.

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