Maximize your chances of getting your deposit back with our detailed Move-Out Cleaning Checklist. Ensure every corner is spotless before you leave.
When it’s finally time to move out of your rental property, it can be a stressful experience. But if you’ve got your move-out checking list in order, at least the actual clean can go much more smoothly. So, to make sure all bases are covered, and every nook and cranny is scrubbed, use our comprehensive move-out cleaning checklist to make sure you make a great impression and say goodbye with ease.
It fulfils your obligations as a tenant, though it also leaves a good impression for a new tenant and a property management team. It’s the polite thing to do to give back a ready-to-live-in space. Moreover, it helps us practise mindfulness.
The vast majority of leases stipulate that the property should be returned in the condition it was received, less normal wear and tear. Getting the place properly cleaned can be the difference between getting your deposit or not, which can run hundreds or even thousands of dollars, while looking good to future landlords with a nice rental history that says you left your place in good, clean order.
Many tenants lose part or all of their deposit because the apartment isn’t cleaned to the landlord’s satisfaction (check here Landlord and tenant relations from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada). The landlord will be sure to point out any easy-to-miss sections, so a thorough checklist means you’re less likely to have to pay for the privilege of being handed your full deposit back. Areas likely to result in deposit deductions include:
And, as well as ensuring that you get your deposit back, leaving the property in good shape means you can maintain good relationships with your landlords anywhere in Canada. They may write you a reference for use with your next landlord, and if those references are good, you will have an easier time renting next time.
If you want to leave a positive impression, here are some key things to consider:
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If your schedule is tight and you need to get the job done quickly, it is critical that you have all of your supplies and equipment at hand before you begin cleaning. Knowing in advance that you have all of your cleaning supplies on hand will save you a lot of time and eliminate the problem of having to go back to the store multiple times to get what you forgot or didn’t know you needed. You’ll want to have your basic all-purpose cleaning products that you know will work on most surfaces in your home. This includes:
You will also need some specialised equipment to deal with more challenging tasks. For example, scrubbing sponges, brushes and the like will be necessary for banishing scum in bathrooms and kitchens. Microfibre cloths are great for removing dust and wiping off dust- and streak-free surfaces. A powerful vacuum is a must for carpets, along with a mop for floors. Recommended equipment includes:
Don’t forget to add other items that can make it easier to clean. Also include:
If you have the proper supplies and equipment at hand, you will be able to clean each room thoroughly and at your own pace. Proper preparation will allow you to clean your home without having to stop along the way to find products, equipment or items.
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To create a productive and efficient approach to cleaning your space, break it down room by room.
Begin with living rooms and other common areas. Important tasks for living rooms include:
In the kitchen, you will have to go beyond wiping out the countertops.
The bathroom is definitely the one room that needs to be scrubbed from top to bottom. Common tasks in the bathroom include:
Wipe down every surface that you can reach – the toilet, sink, tub and shower. Make sure there are no build ups on any of the fixtures.
Wipe the mirrors and polish the faucets to remove the water spots. Wipe down tiles and grout and get rid of any soap scum or mildew.
Make sure your trash bins and any other containers you’ve used are empty and have been sanitised.
Tenants who move out often neglect certain areas when it’s time for move-out cleaning. Light fixtures and ceiling fans are no exception. They’re easy to forget because they collect a large amount of dust and require some effort to clean. Dust and wipe each one down to prevent buildup.
It’s easy to turn a blind eye to air vents and filters that gather dust and debris over time. Also it’s easy to overlook the floors and walls behind big appliances like your refrigerator, stove and other large appliances, but they are typical dust-traps. It’s important to pull them out at least once a year so that you can clean the walls and floors in that area. These “hidden” areas accumulate a lot of dirt and dust.
Other easily overlooked places: door handles, light switches, cabinet tops. These little surfaces are often touched daily and can get dirty over time. Attending these details will not only ensure a good clean but it might also impress your landlord who might do a detailed check on the property.
Some commonly overlooked areas are:
When cleaning, use eco-friendly cleaners to reduce environmental impact while still obtaining a great result. There are many green cleaning solutions on the market that are efficient and harmless. You also can make your own cleaning products using kitchen items as vinegar, baking soda and lemon are great substitutes. These natural solutions are soft and powerful for cleaning most of your furniture. Benefits of natural cleaning products:
To help the environment and create a healthier place to live by using eco-friendly techniques is helpful.
Eco-friendly cleaning also helps Lumina Life’s core value of offering healthy-conscious and environmental-friendly services catered to our community.
1. Cleaning with green products helps the health of our environment.
2. Having trained staff in green techniques helps the environment and the workplace.
3. Having green products also helps workers by using cleaner and more effective materials.
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Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to clean out a property on your own, you just don’t have enough time, or maybe the property is too big to do alone. That’s when you should consider bringing in professional cleaning services. You may also want to consider bringing in professionals if you’re under a time crunch, have a large property that would take forever to clean or feel confident in delegating the work to professionals, which allows you to focus on more important tasks like packing up your personal belongings and settling into your new home. The top reasons to hire a professional cleaning service are:
For the price, professional cleaners can get the job done much faster than you could. They’ll know what landlords want, and can make sure everything is clean, even the very last spot. The investment may be worth it if you’re guaranteed your deposit back. If nothing else, it will remove a big item from your to-do list. Hiring professionals will:
With Lumina Life’s move-out cleaning services, you can rest assured that your property will be left clean after your departure. Our cleaners pay attention to all the little details and follow a detailed checklist to make sure everything is covered so you don’t have to worry about it. Let Lumina Life handle the cleaning while you focus on getting settled in your new home.
Advantages of choosing Lumina Life:
A good move-out clean ensures that your deposit will be returned to you, your rental history remains clean, and your exit from the property is a smooth one for both you and the next tenant. It will also help to create confidence that you have left the property as clean as possible. So, while not strictly mandatory, a proper move-out clean is a smart investment that will really pay off in the end. By working through a well-structured room-by-room checklist and paying attention to the finer details, you’ll be able to rest assured that you’ve given your rental a respectable goodbye. A thorough cleaning also shows the next tenant and the landlord that you respect their space and their investment.
But aside from the money, having a great move-out cleaning sends a clear message to landlords and property managers that you are a good tenant who treats rental properties with respect and care. It’s an asset when folks are called for references. It can be the difference between getting accepted or rejected in rental markets where demand outpaces supply. In that sense, you’re investing in your rental future now.
Cleaning the property requires time, knowledge and genuine effort – or else, it’s not going to get done with the right level of care and detail. You might find yourself running out of time to clean or simply feel overwhelmed by the prospect of dealing with the entire place, in which case, hiring a professional cleaning service is the optimal choice. This is especially true if you need to showcase your property to a landlord for inspection before moving out.
At Lumina Life, we possess the necessary knowledge and experience to handle cleaning for any aspect of move-out, from scrubbing down every last mouldy area to cleaning out those often-missed nooks and crannies – in fact, our service is a perfect example of that. When you’re moving, there’s already so much to do: let us take care of the moving-out cleaning for you while you focus on settling into your new home. If you’re moving out soon, search no further than Lumina Life for a top-quality and reliable cleaning service!
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