How to Have a Successful House Move Out Cleaning

Why You Need a Good House Move Out Cleaning

Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter in the Houston area, before you move out of your house/home/property, it’s imperative that you get a thorough, professional clean.

There are very few scenarios where a house move out cleaning isn’t needed. In cases where the property owners know the new tenants, you might not need to bother with a house cleaning for the move out. If the property is going to be demolished (which tends to happen with all of Houston’s new development) you also don’t need to bother with a move out cleaning.

But for the most part, if you’re leaving a residence, there will likely be someone moving in – so it’s best to be prepared to have a professional cleaning done.

For Renters, The State of Your House Often Determines How Much of Your Deposit You’ll Get Back

As most renters are aware, there’s often a situation that happens when you’re moving out where you (as the renter) are responsible for cleaning up the house and property, and getting it ready for the next tenants to move in. 

Landlords will often hold your initial deposit as collateral to cover damage and wear and tear that you might put on the property. 

So a professional, thorough house move out cleaning will not only keep you in good standing with your current landlord; it will also help you get the max amount of your deposit back.

Before you attempt to clean your house on your own, we recommend considering a professional cleaning service to assist in the move out process.

A typical move out cleaning costs in the range of $250 – $400 depending on the square footage of your house. If your deposit was $1000 or more, there is a solid financial case to be made that investing in a professional cleaning can help you retain more of that cash. If you’re more likely to get your full deposit back after a professional cleaning, it may be worth taking the cleaning fee out of your return deposit.

The Best Way to Tackle a House Move Out Cleaning

The process of cleaning your house prior to moving out should be straightforward – don’t overthink it. The first thing you need to make sure you’ve got in place are the right supplies. Here’s a list of house move out cleaning supplies you should have on hand. 

  • Duster
  • All-purpose spray cleaner
  • Toilet bowl cleaner & brush
  • Floor cleaner solution
  • Glass cleaner spray
  • Plenty of microfiber cloths
  • Paper towels
  • Trash bags

Establish Your House Move Out Cleaning Process

In general, it’s best to approach a cleaning project strategically and methodically. For a specific cleaning list, you can check out the house move out cleaning checklist below. But in general, you’ll want to tackle the following tasks in every room in this order.

  • Dusting top to bottom
  • Wiping down the interior of cabinets and closets.
  • Scrubbing the toilets, sinks, tubs, and showers
  • Scouring the tiles and grout lines
  • Getting rid of any dirt and grime outside and inside major appliances
  • Cleaning the wall switches, door knobs, and other commonly touched areas
  • Mopping floors and vacuuming rugs from baseboard to baseboard

Doing a professional, deep clean of a house after you’ve been living in it can take a while. There are a lot of areas and spots that are neglected in our daily lives that you might not be aware of until you attempt to do a proper clean. We recommend setting aside a whole day, or breaking up your cleaning across several days to give you a break. 

House Move Out Cleaning Checklist

So you’re ready to clean your house. Here’s a helpful checklist to follow:

KITCHENS

  • Wipe down countertops and kitchen backsplash
  • Tops and outsides of large appliances (ovens, fridge, dishwasher, microwave)
  • Wipe down inside and outside of cabinets and drawers
  • Inside microwave
  • Pull out your stove and clean down the sides and around, sweep floor underneath
  • Pull out your fridges and clean the sides, sweep floor underneath
  • Baseboards
  • Vacuum and mop floors

BATHROOM

  • Spray and wipe down shower area, being sure to take care of the grout and any soap scum
  • Clean shower drains and spray out the shower basin
  • Spray cleaner on the inside of toilet bowl and let it sit while you wipe down the sinks and toilet
  • Spray toilets and sinks, wipe down
  • Spray glass cleaner on the mirror and wipe down
  • Clean inside and outside bathroom shelves and cabinets
  • Vacuum and mop floors

BEDROOMS

  • Wipe down door jams, corners, window sills, etc – any surface where dust and debris might collect
  • Spray down and clean inside of the windows in the room
  • Wipe down baseboards
  • Trimwork and Molding.
  • Vacuum carpet and mop if you have hardwood floors

COMMON AREAS

  • Wipe down door jams, corners, window sills, etc – any surface where dust and debris might collect
  • Spray down and clean inside of the windows in the room
  • Wipe down baseboards
  • Trimwork and Molding.
  • Wipe down countertops or shelves and fixtures
  • Vacuum carpet and mop if you have hardwood floors

House Move Out Cleaning FAQs

Is it worth it to pay for professional cleaning services before I move out of my house?

Yes, when you work with a professional cleaning services company to handle your move out cleaning, you can rest assured that your house or property will be super clean and you have the best chance at getting your deposit back when you move out.

Depending on your deposit amount, it might make sense to hire a pro cleaning service and take that amount out of the deposit reimbursement. 

Should I ask my landlord to pay for professional cleaning services?

There are some scenarios where it is appropriate to ask your landlord to include professional cleaning services in your rental agreement. If you’d like to learn more about whether your landlord should be paying for professional cleaning services, you can visit this blog post. 

How much does a professional house move out cleaning cost?

Depending on your square footage, a move out cleaning service for a typical home in the Houston area can cost anywhere from $250 – $400. Get in touch with Maid Zen today to get a free quote on your next cleaning.

Move Out Cleaning Services Cost

A professional cleaning service for a move-out can typically take two to three hours for a standard-sized home and an hour for an apartment.

The cost of the service will depend on factors such as the size of the home, the number of rooms, location, and any special requests. On average, the cost for a move-out cleaning service in Houston ranges from $4 to $6 per square foot and includes cleaning all bedrooms, bathrooms, the kitchen, hallways, and entryways.

Alternatively, the cost can be estimated at around $75 per bedroom. The final cost will depend on the specific cleaning service and the initial cleanliness of the home. Homes that have regular cleaning services may have a more affordable move-in/move-out cleaning compared to a first-time or one-time cleaning.

To get an accurate estimate, it is recommended to contact a professional cleaning service to ask questions and provide details.

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