Get That Deposit Back With an Apartment Move out Cleaning Checklist
In the state of Maryland, renters are entitled to receive their security deposit back so long as the apartment is clean and undamaged. In fact, landlords must pay a tenant interest on any security deposit that was higher than $50. In other words, you should get more money back than you initially gave. Getting that deposit back can make or break your ability to move comfortably into a new place. Without it, will you be able to afford your new apartment’s security deposit and first month’s rent? If not, you’ll need to perform a thorough cleaning and make sure everything is up to your lease’s standards. Read on for our apartment move out cleaning checklist!Clean the Floors and Windows
No one wants to inherit stains, ground-in dirt, or smudges from a previous tenant! Spot clean your carpet for any stains. It’s best to tackle stains not long after they happen but with the right cleaner, you should be able to get rid of even year-old stains. After the carpet is dry, hit it with a high-power vacuum and use attachments to get into nooks and crannies. Break out the glass cleaner and sponges or rags to clean the windows. Double-check them after they’ve dried to make sure you haven’t created new smudges with your cleaner!Clean All Appliances and Fixtures
Anything that isn’t coming with you needs to look as close to “new” as possible. That means kitchen appliances like the fridge, stove, and sink. It also means everything in the bathroom from the toilet to the tub.Fill Holes and Repaint
Depending on your lease, you may need to fill any holes in the walls made by nails or thumbtacks and cover everything with a fresh coat of paint. Filling holes is simple work but make sure that you’re using the right paint color or your landlord can knock you for it.Dust Everything
Your floors are not the only things that have accumulated grime over the past year or two. Just about every surface in your apartment is a great landing zone for dust. Pay special attention to moldings along the walls and around doorframes as they provide tons of dust-trapping nooks and crannies. If you want to go above and beyond, consider getting a telescopic cleaning tool to dust your ceiling and ceiling fan.Hire Professionals
Make sure you pay close attention to your lease as you make your way through the apartment move out cleaning checklist. Some companies require that you bring in a professional cleaning company to ensure that the carpets and other areas have been properly cleaned. Even if it isn’t required by your landlord or property manager, it may be worth considering. If you’ve lived in your apartment for over a year and haven’t kept up with a regular cleaning schedule, you’ve probably accumulated an extraordinary amount of dirt and grime.Let Us Help You Complete Your Apartment Move Out Cleaning Checklist
If you’re worried about your security deposit or struggling to meet the requirements of your apartment move out cleaning checklist, let us help you! We provide top-notch cleaning services at affordable rates. To take off some of the financial burdens, we also provide free estimates so that you can make an informed decision at no cost to you. Request a free estimate today!Why Hire Professional Cleaners When You Move?
Moving can be a difficult and very stressful time. You need to pack everything up, hire a moving company, update your address, along with many other arrangements and coordination. You’ll also need to clean everything up, but this is one thing that you can take off your plate by contacting a professional cleaning company in Eldersburg. There are many reasons why you should have your home professionally cleaned, we wanted to discuss several today.
Take Away the Stress
Moving should be an exciting new change but the overall process can be overwhelming. Cleaning your previous home before the new buyers take ownership will be the one thing you think you’ll have time to accomplish. Unfortunately, cleaning usually ends up being the only thing you won’t have time or energy for. Cleaning an empty home can be more time consuming than cleaning a fully furnished home. Plan ahead to eliminate unnecessary stress by working with a professional Eldersburg, MD cleaning company. Do yourself a favor and eliminate as much stress as you can during the moving process.
Make Your Fresh Start a Clean One
You’ve finally moved everything and want nothing more than to just unpack and relax. You walk in to your new home only to discover that the previous homeowner did not have their home serviced by a professional cleaning company. Make sure to contact your local Eldersburg cleaning company.
When you hire a professional Eldersburg cleaning company you’re truly getting a fresh start, and without the hassle. Sure you could probably clean the house yourself, but you’re probably already tired, stressed and with very limited time or no time at all. You will be so glad you arranged for a professional move in/move out clean, you may even consider a recurring maintenance plan.
Work With an Experienced Eldersburg Cleaner
When you hire any service into your home, be sure to check references and reviews. Ask the home service company if they are insured and how long they have been in business. Hire integrity! Immaculate Clean prides themselves with the highest standards for integrity and for service excellence. You’ll be able to rest easy in your new home knowing it’s been serviced by professionals. If you’re in need of cleaning services in the Eldersburg, MD area, don’t delay, call us today. Our Team of cleaning professionals are standing by and are ready to help make your busy life easier!
“Selling a Home is So Much Fun,” said No One Ever
My parents are selling their home. It’s not exactly my childhood home. In fact, it’s more than that. I moved a lot as a child. From Ohio to Poughkeepsie, Miami to Buffalo, and a longer stay in NJ. That’s what we did with a Dad in sales. I didn’t mind, really. It helped me to be adaptable or, at least, that’s what I tell myself. It may have just made me antsy and always looking for a change. Either way, I survived all of the moving, but one place always stayed the same. We spent summers at the lake. Back then, we owned a cabin. I called it my “summer house” to friends, but with no HVAC, phone (yes, that was before cell phones), television or washer and dryer, it really wasn’t more than a glorified cabin. And, I loved it. When my father retired, he and mom moved to the lake. It was shocking, to say the least. Mom was never a fan of it up there. Then again, what mother of three children would be without a phone or a TV? And, don’t get her started on the lack of a washer and dryer. I’m sure she spent at least a full day each week at the local laundromat. Somehow, however, Dad convinced Mom to buy an actual house at the lake, and there they have lived for the past 20+ years. The lake has continued to be the place we go. The kids, the grandkids…we all gather there for the 4th of July and any other occasion we can coordinate. Aunts, uncles, cousins, friends…they’ve all been there with us. It’s our happy place. Our home. And, now, they’re selling it. Lakes are beautiful, calm, and serene. They’re also a lot of work. The docks, the boat, the beach…it’s all hard to take care of. So, mom and dad are looking for a simpler life in an “active adult” community. Now, the fun begins.The Nitty Gritty
“Selling a home is so much fun,” said no one ever. On the contrary, it’s work. A lot of work. And, stressful. And, let’s not forget, emotional. Most people focus on the work, and the stress. Those are the parts that wear us down, or so we think. But, the reality is, the logistics of selling a home are manageable. All we need to do is find the right people to help us.Realtor
It starts with the realtor. A realtor is someone we have to trust. We have to believe they are working for us. Of course, every penny matters to them. It’s how they make a living. But, if they’re good at their job, each house is one of many. A realtor’s goal should be to make their clients happy. Happy clients refer realtors to friends. Smart realtors understand this. So, look for a smart, good realtor and that part should go rather smoothly.Repair Person
Of course, no home is sale ready from the get go. A realtor can help to identify the things that obviously need repair. We also know all of the hidden issues like the loose faucet, receptacles that don’t work, and floor boards that are exceptionally squeaky. Our teenagers helped us to discover the latter one when they came in after curfew. A good handyman, or contractor if the problems are really big, can help us make the repairs. Some of us lucky people may have a handyman in the house. (Note: this is not the time to build your spouse’s ego by reassuring him he’s handy. Make sure he actually knows how to fix things.) Many of us may actually be the handymen, or should I say, handywomen. When preparing to sell a home, we shouldn’t go crazy fixing everything. We should focus on the things that may pop up as potential buyers are walking through the house. The inspection will come later. That’s when they’ll decide what needs to be fixed. If it doesn’t come up, don’t worry about it. They’ll discover it eventually, but that will likely be after they’ve signed on the dotted line. It’s their problem then.Cleaning Service
The really fun part comes when the showings begin. That’s when we have to figure out how to clean up all of the kids’ toys, get the dirty dishes out of the sink, and get the sleeping baby out of her crib all in a matter of minutes because a realtor is down the street and his clients just noticed your home. The mad dashes out of the house are bad enough, but keeping the house clean day after day is enough to drive any parent of young children absolutely mad. This is a good time to let go of the ego, and remember there are people to help with this too. It might be impractical, and far too expensive, to have a daily cleaning service. But, if there was ever a time to splurge on it weekly, now’s that time. And, don’t forget, most cleaning companies offer deep cleaning and moving cleaning services, too. These can absolutely take the pressure off as we deal with all of the other details of selling a home.Other Services
Other services to look for when listing a home might be: decluttering companies, storage units, moving trucks, and lawn services. Don’t forget a good massage therapist for when things get too stressful. In general, it’s important to remember that we sometimes have to spend money to make money. And, when it’s a matter of our sanity, the services are absolutely worth it.The Emotional Factor
The only service we really can’t hire, is the one that removes the emotional factor from selling a home. That’s the truly hard part. Saying good-bye to our happy place is like saying farewell to a best friend. It’s letting go of the ties that bind us, the comfort, and the familiarity. It’s letting go of a part of us. Despite the frequent moves, nothing prepared me for letting go of the one constant in my life. I know it’s the right thing for mom and dad. I know new adventures await us and we will find a new happy place. Hopefully, anyway. But, saying good-bye will be the hardest part for sure. Fortunately, we have one last 4th of July. I think we may need to stock up on tissues.Tips for Cleaning Your Home Before You Move Out
Whether you are selling your home or moving out of your rental, there will be some cleaning that has to be done. How well you clean is important, because you could be one cobweb away from getting back your security deposit or receiving an offer on your house. As a Maryland cleaning company, we frequently do move-out cleanings for our local Eldersburg customers, both residential and commercial. Here are a few tips on which areas to address when scrubbing your home or apartment that one last time.
Throughout the House
- If you are not repainting, remove scuff marks from walls and baseboards.
- Take down cobwebs and wipe dust from lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, ledges, crown molding, baseboards and the tops of cabinets.
- Clean the windows, including window sills and curtain rods/blinds.
- Clean door knobs, light switch plates and outlet covers.
- Vacuum or hire a steam-cleaner if needed.
- Mop hardwood and tile to make sure they are free from stains.
- Move everything that is movable and clean underneath.
In the Bathroom
- Remove soap scum off the shower/tub surround.
- Remove all traces of hair from the sink, drain, floor and bath/shower area.
- Clean all faucets and other plumbing fixtures; scrub the toilet.
- Wipe the mirror clean.
- If there is mold, remove it with bleach.
- Clean the vanity from top to bottom.
- Wipe the dust from the fan cover.
In the Kitchen
- Clean all cabinet doors and door pulls.
- Clean/disinfect countertops and the kitchen table.
- Clean the sink, faucet and drain as needed.
- Clean the refrigerator inside and out.
- Make sure the dishwasher is free of scum or food debris, clean as needed.
- Clean the vent hood.
- Clean the stove top and the oven, as well as other appliances that will remain in the house.