Even if you have the best long-distance movers Guelph can provide, you’ll still be responsible for cleaning up your old apartment before moving out. It’s part of the process, and the sooner you embrace it, the better, especially if you want to leave with your dignity (and your deposit) intact.
Apartment Cleaning Checklist for Move-Out
Cleaning up your current residence is just as important as finding a reliable Guelph moving company for moving out of province, so be sure not to leave your apartment in poor condition when you leave. Just follow this apartment cleaning checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything.
1. Remove or Box Up Your Belongings
Cleaning up your current residence is just as important as finding a reliable Guelph moving company for moving out of province, so be sure not to leave your apartment in poor condition when you leave. Just follow this apartment cleaning checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything.
2. Cleaning Your Kitchen
Only tackle the kitchen once you’re sure that you won’t be using it for any more meal preparation. By cleaning things up in the right order, you can be as efficient as possible.
- Clear out all food from the fridge and wipe it down with hot, soapy water (once clean, remember to leave it off and open to prevent mould growth)
- Sweep and vacuum the floor to eliminate all dust and food remnants
- Wipe down all surfaces (counters, cabinets, tables) until they shine
- Mop the floor until it’s spotless
- Make sure the oven has been thoroughly cleaned
Cleaning large appliances such as the refrigerator, freezer, and oven is a task that can be done ahead of time. Save yourself the rush and do these tasks in advance.
3. Cleaning Your Bathroom
If you’ve lived in your current residence for a while, cleaning your bathroom might be a time-consuming task. If possible, do some of the deep-cleaning tasks in advance, so you don’t add stress during the week of your move.
- Scrub the tub, tiles, and sink heavily to remove build-up and soap scum
- Be sure to scrub the toilet and leave it shining
- Sweep or vacuum, and then mop the floor thoroughly
4. Cleaning Your Living Room and Bedroom
Cleaning the living room is a straightforward task if you do it in an organized manner. Be sure to declutter everything beforehand so that you have more room to work.
- Vacuum and make sure that any dust, hair, and crumbs have been removed from the floor
- Dust or wipe down any major surfaces, such as light switches, the mantle, and the ceiling fan
- Make sure you’ve vacuumed or wiped away cobwebs in the ceiling corners
- Wipe down all the vents so that they’re dust-free when you leave
5. Double-Check Everything
It can be easy to overlook the less-conspicuous places. From kitchen cabinets to bedroom drawers, it’s important to give every nook and cranny a final look before moving across Canada. A double-check helps reduce the risk of leaving anything behind or forgetting to clean anything.
6. Don’t Forget the Garage and Patio Area
If this tip applies to where you live, pay attention to it. These areas aren’t part of an apartment’s standard living space, so it is easy to forget about them or shrug them off. Make sure you’ve removed belongings, swept, and done anything else necessary to leave these areas in pristine condition.
7. Check if Your Apartment Owner Has a Cleaning Checklist for You
Failing to leave your apartment in excellent condition can sometimes cost you a portion of your security deposit. The best way to avoid this is to directly ask your apartment owner or landlord about their specific expectations so that you can check all the boxes on their list.
Ask if they have an official cleaning list and take the guesswork out of cleaning your apartment before moving.
