It can be both exciting and stressful when you have to leave a rental home in Centennial. You might overlook cleaning, the most crucial part of moving, between packing, handling logistics, and coordinating your next move. If you have to move and get your full security deposit back, you have to check how spotless you can leave your place. Know about the step-by-step tasks involved with move in and move out cleaning in Centennial, whether you decide to do it yourself or hire professionals for the same.
Essential Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Your landlord or property manager will expect his rental unit to look exactly how it did when you first moved in, apart from any signs of normal wear and tear. Try to follow this checklist to ensure that no detail is missed:
General Cleaning
You should dust all surfaces, ceiling fans, vents, and light fixtures. Do not forget to wash baseboards, window sills, and switch plates.
After all is done, vacuum and mop all floors, including behind and under furniture. You have to remove pet hair, stains, and lingering odors.
Kitchen cleaning
You should clean inside and outside of all appliances, including refrigerator, oven, microwave, dishwasher, and stove. Professional help can be better for this.
Scrub countertops, backsplash, and sink until you find them to be spotless. You have to wipe down cabinet doors and empty all shelves. Get rid of food residue, grease, and debris from vents and exhaust fans.
Bathroom cleaning
Here, you need to clean and disinfect toilet bowls, sinks, showers, and tubs. Try to remove soap scum, mildew, and any rust stains that you can see.
Also, wipe mirrors and polish fixtures until they shine. If needed, you have to wash or replace shower curtains and mats.
Cleaning bedroom and living spaces
Try to wash windows – inside and out, if they are accessible. Do not forget to remove nails and patch small holes in walls.
Make sure that you vacuum carpets thoroughly or have them steam cleaned. The closets, drawers, and built-ins should be completely empty when you leave the unit.
When you follow this checklist, you can easily cover the items that most landlords use during inspection. You might lose at least a portion of your deposit if you overlook even a single stain or any dirty appliance.
DIY vs Professional Cleaning: Which Saves You More?
When you go DIY cleaning, it costs less upfront. You use basic supplies like vinegar, baking soda, and an all-purpose cleaner. However, the cleaning takes several hours—sometimes an entire weekend. Even then, you might fall short of meeting your landlord’s inspection standards. This can be especially true for deep cleaning tasks like oven scrubbing or carpet shampooing.
With professional move-out cleaning, you can expect professionals to come equipped with industrial-grade tools and experience. They will ensure better results in less time. If you choose an affordable service provider, you can get the entire cleaning done impeccably, without incurring huge expenses.
A professional cleaning company can also reduce disputes and delays by showing proof of the work done to your landlord, through receipts and checklists.
With a thorough move-out cleaning, you can leave happily, save your energy and will not have anyone complaining behind your back. It will be an excellent investment on your part.
