Let’s face it - for all the joy that moving house brings, the 'moving out clean' is one of those more challenging moments. But it's the final hurdle to be jumped before crossing the relocation finish line! So, roll up those sleeves and follow this complete moving-out cleaning checklist for the ultimate farewell to your home.
Moving out cleaning checklist
Step 1: Preparation
First and foremost, you must ensure all furniture is out of the way.
Organising furniture collection can be tricky. Online buyers can be particularly flaky, but if you leave furniture in your home during the cleaning process, you will only slow yourself down.
So, make sure you've moved all the large furniture out of your home before you start.
While clearing out, it’s also a good time to check that you have all your supplies necessary for moving.
What you will need for your moving out clean:
- A dustpan and brush
- Antibacterial spray
- Oven degreaser
- Glass Cleaner
- Microfibre Cloths / Sponges/ Towels
- Gloves
- Mop + Bucket
- Floor Cleaner
- Sugar Soap
- Step ladder
- Mould spray
To save money and reduce waste these are the main products that you will need before committing to a full clean.
Step 2: The kitchen
With everything prepped, it’s time to start the cleaning. Start with biggest job of all: the kitchen. Due to its frequent use and stubborn spots, the kitchen tends to be the biggest job in the house.
Here's how to clean your kitchen before a move:
- Wipe down all external surfaces with antibacterial
- Degrease and clean the oven to its original state when moved in
- Clean dust from inside drawers and cupboards
- Degrease range hood
- Scrub grease and grime from the stovetop
- Clean sink including the drain, tap and backsplash
- Clean out fridge where required
- Wipe down walls
- Vacuum and mop floors
Step 3: The bathroom
The second toughest job of all is cleaning the bathroom. There are many hard to reach areas and even tougher marks to get rid of before you restore your bathroom to its former glory. Look out for mould, soap scum, and those annoying watermarks.
You must crack open the windows and give yourself a breather between rounds (those heavy-duty cleaners pack a punch!).
What to clean in the bathroom before moving out:
- Bleach clean toilet and surface sanitised
- Remove mould from Bathtub/ shower
- Wipe down bath/ shower including shower head
- Sanitise drains
- Clean all glass
- Sanitise the sink + check for mould build-up
- Clean cupboards and shelves
- Vacuum and mop floors
- Wipe down walls
Step 4: Living spaces and bedrooms
You’ve saved the easiest till last, which means that the majority of your scrubbing should be done with. The toughest battle in living spaces is getting rid of dust.
To finish off your internal moving out clean, you must complete the following:
- Wipe down all surfaces
- Wipe switches and plug sockets (switch them off first!)
- Make sure cobwebs and dust are removed from air vents
- Clean all windows
- Clean carpets/ vacuum and mop wooden floors
- Ensure cupboards and shelves are dust-free
- Clean light fixtures
- Dust skirting boards
- Wipe/ dust/ vacuum blinds or curtains
- Wash walls and doors (Do this throughout the house)
Step 5: Balcony/ Garden
Last but not least, make sure that your garden or balcony area is well-presented and clean. Depending on how your outdoor space is kept generally, this shouldn’t be too much of a mammoth task and is more like simple maintenance.
To tidy up your garden or balcony you should do the following:
- Cut grass and remove weeds
- Wipe down external windows
- Sweep and mop floors
- Remove cobwebs or insects like cockroaches etc.
- Wipe down balcony railings
Final thoughts
By following this moving-out cleaning checklist your old home is set to be sparkling even brighter than when you first got the keys! Better yet, that security deposit should also find its way back to your wallet as a sweet reward for all your hard work!
If you want some assistance in making your move as smooth as possible, trust Holloway Removals and Storage to create a stress-free relocation for you. Expert local removalists in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Holloway have the knowledge and equipment to handle your move with care and ease which means you can focus on cleaning whilst they take care of the rest.
