Moving is stressful enough without worrying about your security deposit. Whether you're leaving an apartment in St. Louis or a rental house in Granite City or Edwardsville, most landlords expect the unit to be returned in the same clean condition you received it (minus normal wear and tear). Here's the checklist I use for move-out cleanings. Always read your lease too — some landlords list specific cleaning requirements.
Before you start. Clean after the furniture and boxes are out. It's much faster to clean empty rooms, and you won't miss the dust and crumbs hiding under the couch or bed. Take photos of each room when you're finished so you have a record of the condition you left it in.
Kitchen. Clean inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers. Clean the inside of the oven, the stovetop, drip pans, and range hood. Empty, defrost if needed, and wipe out the refrigerator and freezer, including shelves and drawers. Clean the microwave inside and out, the dishwasher door and edges, the sink and faucet, backsplash, and countertops. Sweep and mop the floor, including along the edges.
Bathrooms. Scrub the toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it. Remove soap scum and hard-water stains from the tub, shower, and glass doors. Clean the sink, faucet, mirror, and vanity, inside the drawers and cabinet, and the exhaust fan cover. Mop the floor and wipe the baseboards.
Bedrooms and living areas. Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures. Wipe baseboards, door frames, doors, light switches, and outlet covers. Clean closet shelves and rods. Clean window sills and tracks and the inside of the windows. Vacuum carpets thoroughly and mop hard floors.
Don't forget. Check the laundry area (behind and under the washer and dryer if they stay), the entryway, patio or balcony, blinds, and any marks on the walls. Remove all trash and leave nothing behind — even a forgotten box in a closet can lead to a charge.
Let a professional handle it. A move-out cleaning is one of the most time-consuming jobs in the whole moving process, and it usually lands on the busiest day. Home Sweet Clean offers Move-Out Cleaning and Move-In Cleaning across St. Louis and the Metro East, so your old place is ready for inspection and your new place is fresh before you unpack. New clients receive 20% off Commercial Cleaning — call (618) 250-9789 for a free quote.