Move Out Cleaning Checklist and Essentials To Pack For a Move
It’a common to overlook one important step when moving: cleaning. Reason being, it’s one of the last tasks in the moving process.
Between packing, hiring movers or a moving truck, changing over utility bills, changing your address, shopping for new organization solutions, selling old furniture, buying new furniture…it can be overwhelming. Often, cleaning is the lowest priority on the moving totem pole. And let’s face it…it’s the less sexy task.
Who Is This Move Out Cleaning Checklist For?
Renters: If you need to make your space ‘broom clean’ upon moving out to get your deposit back, then this checklist is for you.
Home Owners: If you’re in the process of staging and listing your home for sale, of if you just sold your home and are handing keys over, then this checklist is for you.
Landlords or Property Managers: If you or a housekeeper are turning over a space to make it ‘renter ready’ for the next tenants, then this checklist is for you.
Cleaning Businesses or Housekeepers: If you’re new to house cleaning and are looking for a resource to learn what areas need attention when performing a move out cleaning for a client, then this checklist is for you.
What Are Some Cleaning Tasks That I Can Do In Advance, Before Moving Out?
There are some cleaning tasks that you can do well before moving out, depending on how much you’ve packed.
Areas that can be done in advance: fridge, oven, kitchen cupboards, bathroom cupboards, closets, blinds, window sills, windows, ceiling fans and fixtures.
This can significantly reduce the amount of time spent cleaning ON moving day if you do these tasks before move out day. Instead of cleaning everything on the eleventh hour, you’ll create a little more ease for yourself by spreading these tasks out.
How Far in Advance Should I Hire a Cleaning Service For a Move Out Cleaning?
If you choose to hire a service for your move out cleaning, prepare to book this at least a month in advance to secure a spot. Cleaning services do have last minute openings, but most operate with clients on a recurring basis and get fairly booked out.
Once you know your move out date, schedule your move out cleaning ASAP to secure your spot.
Ensure that you schedule your moving day to be prior to your move out cleaning. This will not only slow down the cleaning crew, but it can become costly to have movers and cleaners bumping into each other. It will simply take more time for both parties to do their job and you will be billed more for it. Additionally, your cleaners might not be able to clean every surface until everything is moved out.
Should I Provide This Move Out Cleaning Checklist to My Cleaners?
Even if your professional cleaning service has a standard protocol for a move out cleaning, this checklist will help set expectations and ensure that all parties are in communication with each other.
You can customize the checklist by crossing out any tasks that don’t pertain to you or your specific needs.
This $7 guide includes a list of products needed and a 46 point checklist. Snag your copy now to prepare for your move out cleaning in advance!
Additionally, we’ve included a list of moving essentials to help you get packed and organized.
Color Coded Moving Labels
This brilliant label system makes settling into a space SO MUCH EASIER. It’s less effort to place a label on a box AND it’s easier to identify what room each box goes into.
Smart Labels
These high tech labels allow you to clearly list the contents of each box, making the sifting and sorting process SO MUCH EASIER when settling into a new home.
Mattress Moving Bag
This mattress moving bag is a GAME CHANGER! No more trying to handle a floppy mattress or damaging your mattress during the moving process.
Pack of 20 Moving Boxes
These medium sized moving boxes with handles are ridiculously good-priced and will help you get a head start on your packing (if you haven’t started already).
Packing Tape Gun
If you don’t have a tape gun already, invest in THIS one. It sure beats the disposable plastic ones. It lasts, making this more eco friendly.
Box Dividers for Fragile Items
These dividers are great for fragile kitchen items in the moving process such as glassware, mugs, wine bottles, knick knacks, and more.
Packing Paper
50 sheets of packing paper to ensure your keepsakes are safe during the moving process.
Eco Cushion Wrap
This is a great alternative to bubble cushion wrap and reduces single use plastics from going into landfills. ALSO: super satisfying to activate the cushion lock feature on this “bubble” wrap.
Moving Bags
This is great option for packing clothes and bedding. These moving bags can also be repurposed well after the move is done to store bedding or other bulky items. They’re also recyclable, making the end of life cycle of this bag eco friendly.
Forearm Forklift
This ‘forearm forklift’ makes moving appliances safer and easier. It’s small and compact, making this easy to store when not in use after the move is done.