How to Clean an Apartment Before Moving Out

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Moving out of your apartment is a stressful situation. Most apartment managers will not give you back your security deposit if the space is not thoroughly cleaned to the manager's satisfaction. To be ready for that final manager walk-through, follow these steps.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

vacuum
mop and bucket
broom and dust pan
tub and tile cleanser
window cleanser
clean rags, sponges and paper towels
garbage bags

Step1

Clean the bathrooms. Wipe down all sinks, tubs, shower doors, toilet, faucets and floors with a good tub and tile cleanser and hot water. Make sure the medicine cabinets, drawers and closets are cleaned out and wiped down, too.

Step2

Repair and clean all apartment walls. Remove any nails, staples or tape that is still on the walls. Fill all holes with drywall or wood filler.

Step3

Clean the bedrooms. Make sure nothing is left in closets and wipe down closet shelves. Mop the floor, or vacuum if you have carpets. Remove any stains you made on the carpet with a stain remover.

Step4

Clean hallways, living and dining rooms. Vacuum or mop floors. Clean windows with a glass cleaner and wipe down window blinds in each room with warm water.

Step5

Clean the kitchen. Remove all refrigerator shelves and wipe them down with warm water. Dry and replace in refrigerator. Wipe down the outside and top of the refrigerator, too. Use an oven cleaner product to clean the inside of the oven. Wipe down the outside of the oven and clean all the burners and burner covers. Empty out all cabinets and wipe down each shelf. Clean out the sink and wipe down all cabinets and counters. Sweep floors, including behind the stove and refrigerator. Mop floors.

Tips & Warnings

Get a copy from your apartment manager of your move-in walk through, if you did one. If not, get a list of what needs to be done before you move out.
It is best to clean out the apartment once all of your belongings are moved out.
Some apartments require you to steam clean the carpets too. Check with you apartment manager.
Make sure you have plenty of garbage bags to throw away all the trash and things you have left behind.