How Do You Deep Clean a House When Moving Out: Key Areas to Focus On
Hiring a trusted home cleaning company can help you tackle the big job of deep cleaning your house before moving out effectively. This guide walks you through the main areas that need attention when preparing your home for new residents. You'll learn about cleaning kitchens, bathrooms, floors, windows, appliances, and other important spaces. Each section provides simple steps to get your house spotless. These tips help you leave your home in perfect condition and get your security deposit back.
Kitchen Cleaning
Empty all cabinets and drawers completely, then wipe them inside and out with soapy water. Remove oven racks and let them soak while you spray oven cleaner inside. Let the cleaner sit for a while, then scrub away the built-up grease and food.
Remove all refrigerator shelves and drawers to wash them separately. Clean inside the fridge, removing sticky spills and odors to keep it fresh and odor-free. Wipe the outside, handles, and top where dust tends to collect.
Clean countertops, backsplash, and walls around the stove with degreaser. These areas get greasy from cooking. Sweep and mop floors, getting into corners where crumbs hide.
Bathroom Sanitization
Scrub the toilet inside and out, including around the base and under the seat, where grime tends to accumulate. Use disinfectant that kills germs and removes stains.
Clean the sink, faucet, and handles until they shine. Remove mineral deposits and soap buildup. Scrub shower or tub tiles and grout where mildew grows. Use mildew remover if needed and clean glass doors.
Wipe down all fixtures, such as light switches, towel bars, and cabinet handles. Sweep and mop the floors, paying special attention to the area around the toilet base where dirt often hides.
Carpet and Floor Care
Vacuum all carpets twice, once in each direction, to pull up dirt pressed into the fibers. Move furniture to vacuum underneath and along baseboards.
Steam clean or shampoo stained carpets to remove deep dirt and odors that vacuuming can't reach. Rent equipment or hire professionals for the best results.
Sweep or vacuum hard floors first to remove loose dirt. Mop with the right cleaner for your floor type. Use gentle cleaners on wood floors to avoid damage.
Window and Mirror Washing
Remove dust and dirt from window frames before cleaning the glass. Mix water and white vinegar for a cheap, streak-free cleaner.
Spray windows and wipe with a microfiber cloth in overlapping strokes. Work from top to bottom so drips don't mess up clean areas.
For mirrors, spray the cleaner onto a cloth instead of directly onto the mirror. This prevents damage to the backing. Buff dry with a clean cloth.
Appliance Degreasing
Remove stove grates and drip pans to soak in hot soapy water. Scrub the stovetop with degreaser, focusing on burner areas where spills burn on.
Clean your microwave inside and out. Heat a bowl of water and lemon juice for two minutes, then wipe away loosened grime.
Pull out the refrigerator to clean the coils and wipe the outside. Run an empty dishwasher cycle with white vinegar to remove soap buildup and smells.
Dusting and Baseboard Cleaning
Dust from ceiling fans down to floor level. Hit light fixtures, shelves, picture frames, and electronics that collect dust.
Clean baseboards with a damp cloth and mild cleaner. These areas get dirty from foot traffic but are rarely cleaned. Work around each room to ensure you don't miss any spots.
Check outlets, light switches, and door frames—these areas are often touched and show fingerprints and dirt.
