Blog / Types of Moves / Apartment Moving / Apartment Cleaning Checklist

Apartment Cleaning Checklist

Posted: August 16, 2023
A mover wipes down the countertop to complete the apartment cleaning checklist.

You’re getting ready to move out of your apartment. You’ve got your boxes packed and Moving Help® will come to help load and unload for you. The final step in the moving process is an important step, which is completing your apartment cleaning checklist. 

Most landlords will expect you to clean your living space, and if you do a good job cleaning your area, you’re more likely to receive your security deposit back. 

Cleaning can be a daunting task, but if you use Moving Help’s apartment cleaning checklist, your move out cleaning process will go much smoother. Additionally, Moving Help has some Service Providers on the Marketplace who offer cleaning services. 

Getting Started

It’s recommended to move every item out of your apartment first, and then you can clean it properly afterward. This is good to keep in mind because moving can get dirty. It’ll be easier to clean your apartment if everything is gone, and you don’t have to move furniture or rugs around just to do some apartment cleaning. 

Another helpful tip is always to start at the top and clean down. This way, all the dust falls to the ground, and you only have to vacuum and mop once in a room. Otherwise, your apartment cleaning will consist of vacuuming and mopping multiple times. 

Apartment Cleaning Checklists by Room

Overall Cleaning

  • Dust ceilings 
  • Wipe down outlets and light switches 
  • Wipe down windows and windowsills 
  • Wipe down fixtures 
  • Wipe down trimming 
  • Vacuum floors 
  • Mop floors (if hardwood, tile or etc.) 

Bedroom

  • Dust fans 
  • Wipe down blinds 
  • Remove any nails and patch holes 
  • Paint (if needed) 

Bathroom

  • Clean all mirrors 
  • Clean sinks and countertops 
  • Clean bathtub 
  • Clean inside and outside of the toilet 
  • Vacuum or wipe the outside and inside of cabinets and drawers 
  • Wipe down shelves 

Living Room 

  • Dust fans 
  • Wipe down blinds 
  • Remove any nails and patch holes 
  • Paint (if needed)
  • Clean doors and door handles 

Dining Room 

  • Wipe down blinds 
  • Remove any nails and patch holes 

Kitchen 

  • Wipe inside and outside of cabinets 
  • Clean the kitchen pantry’s shelves and floor 
  • Clean stove top and grate 
  • Clean inside and outside of oven 
  • Clean inside and outside of microwave 
  • Remove any perishable food from fridge and freezer 
  • Clean the outside and inside of the fridge and freezer 
  • Clean kitchen sink 

Balcony

  • Sweep balcony 
  • Clean railings 
  • Clean any stains on the ground 

Laundry Room 

  • Wipe down washing machine 
  • Wipe down dryer 
  • Vacuum floors 
  • Mop floors 

Let Moving Help Complete Your Apartment Cleaning Checklist

Do all those tasks seem difficult to accomplish in a timely manner? Depending on your living space size, it can take from 1 ½ hours to 4 ½ hours to complete your apartment cleaning, according to Rescue My Time Cleaning Service

Instead of stressing about getting your move out cleaning done, you can hire a Service Provider from Moving Help’s Marketplace that’ll do the apartment cleaning and loading for you all in one trip.

Then, it’ll be one less step you have to worry about when trying to receive your entire cleaning deposit.