Checklist for House Move Out Cleaning
Most people consider moving house as one of the top lists of nerve-racking experiences they have to endure in their lives, and of course, cleaning the house is also at the top of their list as one of the abhorrent chores they have to face every day. Then I must say that cleaning can be a very hideous affair, but it can be fun too! It all depends on you on how you are going to make cleaning the whole house enjoyable for you.
The simple idea of scrubbing floors and washing windows after weeks of strenuous preparations and exhausting moving labor can wear oneself to a frazzle. Basically, you just had finished categorizing shed-loads of details of the relocation process - from tons of paper works and packing all your stuff. But the work is still not done yet; you still need to clean the entire place which can be very stressful for you. If budget is not a big deal for you, you can always consider hiring cleaning professionals to do the work for you and it will definitely save you time and energy. Nevertheless, you are free to do the cleaning on your own and you can save money from there.
No matter how tiring and exhausting this move out cleaning could be you need to take the time and effort to clean your property. You do want to leave your old home in an excellent condition to be able to make your home more appealing for potential buyers, right?
There are certain cleaning supplies which you cannot do without before you start cleaning your home. These include: Baking soda, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaners, disinfecting cleaners, mop, cleaning cloth, broom, rubber gloves and vacuum cleaner.
One more thing, before we proceed to the checklist here are some few tips from the experts:
· A wide open space makes the cleaning more comfortable and helps you avoid tripping over things.
· Make sure you have loaded all your boxes and stuff onto the moving truck before you give your old home a final, thorough cleaning.
· Make sure that all your cleaning supplies are readily on-hand.
· Try to make cleaning fun as possible. Find a great playlist for you to listen while you clean. It will keep your mood up-beat and might even forget that you are cleaning at all!
For an efficient cleaning process, you just simply follow these cleaning checklists for your move out.
GENERAL MOVE OUT CLEANING:
· Always start cleaning from top to bottom; back and front – or else, there’s a possibility that you may soil the already cleaned up exterior and you have to wipe it again.
· Do the dry cleaning first – Dusting, sweeping, vacuuming -- You simply cannot wash, mop or wipe surfaces in a moist cloth efficiently when dust and dirt are still present.
· Touch up the walls and ceilings -- Remove all the hardware from walls and ceilings such as nails, screws, and hooks. And conceal the remaining holes, dents, and scratches with putty and for the final touch, repaint them.
· Repair damaged clothing racks, lighting or other permanent wall furniture.
· Vacuum and dust every room and focus on the corners, doors, windows, baseboards, blinds, light fixtures, and ceiling fans.
· Mop the floor of the rooms with wood or tile.
· Clean the fireplaces – dust off the ashes and debris
· Take out all the trash of your home and empty the wastebaskets.
See here for money saving home cleaning tips.
MOVE-OUT CLEANING CHECKLIST
Kitchen
· Drain and remove any liner from all of the cabinets and drawers. You can clean the cabinets and drawers with a soft sponge and a mild cleaner, or you can also use baking soda and water for grease stains. Clean them with hot, soapy water and a cloth, to remove any stains or residues from the counter-tops. Next, scrub down the sink and faucet with a suitable cleaning product or a chlorine-free bleach to make it look sparkly new. All appliances should be spotlessly clean and empty.
· If you are going to leave some appliances, make sure that they are empty and spot-free.
o Drain the refrigerator and wash it with warm soapy water both inside and outside.
o Remove all grills, oven racks and drying panes to clean your stove thoroughly. Make sure to remove the grease and grime with a degreasing agent from the entire surface of the stove.
o In a dishwasher-safe container place a cup of white vinegar on the top of the machine's rack. Run the dishwasher in a cycle of warm water. It removes grease and grime and also removes mouthful smells.
o In cleaning microwave; simply place a microwavable bowl with 1-cup of water and a slice of lemon (you can use orange too), or a few tablespoons of vinegar in the oven. Set the machine on high temp for several minutes, let it sit and wait until the solution boils and the window is steamy.
· Once done cleaning everything, make sure to sweep and mop the kitchen floor.
Bathroom
· Scrub the tile and grout with bleach and rinse thoroughly.
· Use a suitable disinfectant to remove all the scums of soap from the bathroom, bath fittings, bathroom, shower rod, head, and shower enclosure.
· Use an old toothbrush to remove any flecks found in small nooks and crannies when cleaning sinks and faucets.
· Use disinfectant wipes or a wet sponge with soapy water to clean the counter-tops, sinks, faucets, handles and chromed surfaces.
· Wipe down all the towel racks, soap dishes, toothbrush holders, and light fixtures.
· Dust and wash the vents in your bathroom; take down and clean the exhaust fans.
· Sanitize the bowl, tank, and seat of the toilet and mop the ground.
Bedrooms & Living Rooms
· First remove all curtain windows, frames, tracks and blinds properly for cleaning.
· To remove any pollution that may have accumulated, wash or dry-clean curtains.
· Empty and clean all the closets, dressers and drawers inside and outside.
· Clean the furniture – polish the wood exteriors and steam clean the upholsters.
· Do not forget to clean and replace the filter if you have a fireplace.
· Make sure to clean and wipe down air conditioners and vents.
See here for more smart ideas on bedroom and living room cleaning.
Outside Areas & Garage
· Make sure to sweep the verandas, patios, and driveway
· Clean out your yard, garage, and storage area – make sure all your tools are kept in a safe storage
· Get rid of the dust and cobwebs from the walls and fences.
· Ensure that the gutters are free from debris
· Trim the grass, mow the lawn, sweep garden paths, and remove all the rubbish in your garden.
See here for more tips on cleaning your garage and outdoors.
Does this sound extremely tiring to you? As I have mentioned earlier, this whole process requires a great deal of time, effort and patience. That being the case, again you may want to consider using professional cleaning services that can do the job for you in an expeditious and energy-saving way.