Move-Out Cleaning List Everyone Relocating Across the Country Needs

October 24, 2022Moving Tips
Hannah Michaelson

Hannah is a freelance relocation writer from NYC that has become an expert on packing and unpacking.

Are you in the process of relocating across the country? If so, congratulations! While this is certainly an exciting time in your life, there are some tasks to take care of before you can start enjoying your new home. One of those is move-out cleaning. This article provides a detailed list of what needs to be done to get your old place ready for new tenants. Follow these tips, and you’re sure to leave the old home in perfect condition.

First Things First – What Supplies Should You Put on Your House Move-Out Cleaning List?

When you start organizing your move, you’ll see that there are countless tasks on the moving to-do list. It can be overwhelming and cause plenty of anxiety about the relocation, but with good planning, it can all be done. However, it’s easy to overlook something – one of the common things people forget to do when they move is to have an apartment move-out cleaning. This is one of the relocation essentials.

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Move-out cleaning can be a daunting task, but it is important to be prepared and know all the relocation tips for this task. There are a few things to keep in mind when collecting supplies for move-out cleaning. First, it is important to have the right supplies on hand. This includes everything from trash bags to sponges to mops – here are the most important supplies you will need:

Several spray types and additional chemicals

You’ll need toilet bleach (this will help you get rid of all the mold), a spray for all surfaces, a spray you’ll use as a disinfectant, limescale remover, glass spray, and polish for furniture. Don’t forget to get a chemical for cleaning your oven as well.

Gloves

You need something that will protect your skin while you clean – remember that these chemicals can be quite strong and easily damage your hands.

A couple of cloths

If you can choose, be sure to get those made of microfiber. This material is easy to wash when you’re done cleaning. Plus, it can work well on all surfaces.

Feather duster

You need a duster for feathers if you’re going to reach all the corners and angles. It will also be useful for all those areas near the ceiling.

Broom and dustpan

Use these two to sweep the floors – after that, you can use a vacuum cleaner to get the rest.

Vacuum cleaner

Obviously, you can’t get everything cleaned without a vacuum cleaner. If you want to take it to another level, you can use a steam cleaner. It comes closest to a professional service.

A mop and a bucket

The last step is polishing the floor. Once you finish this, your work is done, and you are ready to leave the old place and begin your new life.

To Get the Best Results, Use Only the Supplies That Are in Decent Condition

Of course, it is important to make sure that all of the supplies are clean and in good condition before using them. This means that they should be free of any dirt, dust, or debris. Finally, it is important to label all the cleaning chemicals so that you know what each one is for and how to use it properly. Proper organization will surely help you move efficiently.

Cleaning Supplies Can’t Be Transported Across the Country – After the Clean Is Done, Dispose of the Chemicals

Let us mention one more long-distance moving tip. One of the worst things you can do when moving cross country is to pack cleaning chemicals to be moved with your belongings. These supplies aren’t allowed to be transported – this isn’t something your moving and USA auto transport company made up, it’s the law.

You must wonder what to do with dusters and vacuum cleaners, then. Even though they aren’t on the list of items movers won’t move, they are heavy and take up a lot of space. They are also difficult to clean properly. If you must bring them, be sure to clean them before you pack them. This will ensure that they are free of dirt, dust, and debris.

A woman cleaning the kitchen surface after an auto transport company provided all services
You need to be thorough with your house cleaning before moving out

Make a List of General Tasks You’ll Perform in Each Room

You should examine the house you will be departing to see if there are any lingering personal items before you start your work, which is likely one of the last items in your moving-to-another-state checklist. It’s tedious, but skipping this step is definitely one of the relocation mistakes.

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After the long-distance movers from the moving and car shipping company have finished with moving services, or you packed everything, search through each closet and cabinet to check whether anything of yours is still there. It’s time to keep the determination mindset once you’ve searched every nook and cranny of the space and packed any last-minute goods – this is when the cleaning process starts. Here’s how to approach this – these are general tasks you will need to do in every room.

  • Start by cleaning the ceiling fans.
  • Eliminate any screws or nails from the walls.
  • Take down any hardware that was used to hang shelves or artwork and seal the holes with putty.
  • Wash the molding and the walls.
  • Wipe the windows and all the window ledges.
  • Clean the doors with a moist microfiber cloth.
  • Vacuum and sweep the floor, then mop it.
  • Dust all the vents and exhaust fans.

Move-Out House Cleaning Should Be Done Room By Room

When it comes to move-out house cleaning, it is important to do it room by room. This ensures that all the rooms are cleaned properly and that no area is missed. It also allows you to focus on one task at a time so that you do not get overwhelmed. Start by cleaning the kitchen – this is a great relocation hack that will help you tackle this process properly. The kitchen is typically the dirtiest room in the house and will take the most time to clean. Be sure to wash all the surfaces, scrub the counters, and clean the stovetop.

Next, move on to the bathroom. This room can be tricky because there are so many different surfaces to clean. Be sure to scrub the toilet, sink, and bathtub. Also, be sure to mop the floor. If there is a shower, be sure to clean that as well. After the kitchen and bathroom are done, move on to the bedrooms. These rooms are typically not as dirty as the other rooms, but they still need to be cleaned. Be sure to dust all the surfaces and vacuum the floors.

Finally, move on to the living room. This is typically the most used room in the house and will need to be vacuumed and dusted. Be sure to reach all of the surfaces. By following these tips, you can be sure that your move-out house cleaning is done properly. Room-by-room cleaning will ensure that all areas are clean and that no task is missed. This will make the process a lot easier and less time-consuming, which in turn makes your relocation stress-free.

A wwoman ready to clean her apartment
Cleaning might seem overwhelming, but if you take it room by room, it will be easier

Should You Hire a Professional Team of Cleaners to Help You?

Is it advisable to use a cleaning service? You have two options for cleaning the house – you can either do it yourself or pay a cleaning service to handle everything for you. It might be worthwhile to employ a cleaning service if the return of your deposit depends on it – if you were renting a home.

On the other hand, cleaning the property yourself is usually the most sensible choice if you’re trying to save money for the move as much as possible. Still, we must keep in mind that a large property may be difficult to clean, especially for those who are moving with children, have a demanding profession, or both. They should most likely prepare to employ a cleaning service.

Don’t Forget That You’ll Need to Take Care of the Move-in Cleaning as Well

Pros and cons of hiring a cleaning service are something that should be considered a few weeks before the move to a new city. But you must also think about the move-in cleaning – will you be able to pay for a cleaning service twice? Does this fit your moving budget? If not, remember that you’ll need to learn how to handle the move-in cleaning by yourself. You can check out the video below for some excellent tips on this topic.

YouTube video

When Should You Clean – Before or After Movers Pick up Your Stuff?

Are you unsure of when to perform a deep clean? We advise cleaning the house begins after all of your belongings have been packed. This will not only make sure you can clean every single corner of your old home, but it’ll also make the process less difficult. You won’t have to bother about vacuuming under carpets and moving individual home items to clean certain areas, after all.

Furthermore, organizing packing, and relocating can be a messy operation, particularly if you or the movers track dirt into the residence when carrying all those labeled boxes. The sensible move is to scrub the floors and surfaces once the movers have left and your possessions have been removed from the home. Make sure to plan your move at least two days prior to the deadline for moving out. This way, you’ll have plenty of time before the new tenants get in to tidy the house.

Packed and labeled boxes
When to clean? Only after boxes and furniture have been moved out of the rooms

After the House Is Cleaned, You Can Start the New Adventure

After you have finished move-out cleaning, the hard part of the move is over. You have accomplished a lot and should be proud of yourself. Now, it is time to start your new life. This can be an exciting and daunting time. There are so many things to do and so many changes to make. But, with a little planning and preparation, you can make the transition a lot smoother.

Of course, your new adventure in a different part of the country can’t start unless you have someone to help you move – you have to find a reputable company that specializes in moving belongings and shipping cars in the USA. It can be difficult to find the right company that provides excellent moving service and proper enclosed auto transport (both door-to-door auto transport and terminal-to-terminal car shipping). That’s why you need to start your search on time!

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