Moving house is a chance for a fresh start for you, and it should be a fresh start for the people who move into your new place too, right? The last thing anyone wants is to move into a new home and find it a bit…grimy, right? That’s why it’s always a good idea, and a nice thing to do (and if you’re renting, probably a requirement) to give your old place a decent clean before you leave it for the last time and hand your keys over.
That being the case, let’s take a look at a few things you can do to clean your old place, and do so in a way that is as simple and stress-free as possible.
Don’t Leave It to the Last Minute
One of the biggest mistakes people make when moving out is underestimating how long the final clean will take. After packing boxes, coordinating the move, and hauling furniture, the last thing you’ll want to do is scrub your old bathtub at midnight.
Plan ahead. Try to leave a full day after moving your belongings to handle cleaning, or better yet, schedule the clean-up before the movers arrive if possible. A little breathing room makes a big difference.
Focus on the Spots Everyone Forgets
You’ve probably vacuumed the carpet and wiped down the counters, but have you looked up? Ceiling fans, light fixtures, and the tops of cabinets collect a surprising amount of dust. Same goes for baseboards, window tracks, and behind appliances. These overlooked areas are exactly where landlords or buyers are likely to check.
Bathrooms and kitchens deserve extra attention. Think inside the oven, under the sink, and behind the toilet. Yes, it’s as fun as it sounds.
Use It as an Opportunity to Downsize
Cleaning and decluttering go hand in hand. As you prep for your move, keep a box or two for things you don’t want to take with you. If something hasn’t seen the light of day in a year, ask yourself if it really needs to make the trip. Less stuff equals less to clean, less to move, and a cleaner slate in your new space.
Consider the Professional Route
If the idea of scrubbing floors and scrubbing walls while balancing a hundred other moving tasks feels like too much (understandably so), this is where hiring help comes in.
Companies like Sparkly Maid offer moving out cleaning services, which means you can hand over the mop and focus on more important things. A professional team will know exactly what needs to be done, how to do it quickly, and which areas to target to make sure the property is truly move-out ready. For renters, it could be the difference between getting that deposit back or losing it to a mysterious “deep cleaning fee.”
Final Thoughts
Leaving a clean home behind isn’t just about courtesy. It’s about finishing one chapter well before starting the next. Whether you tackle it yourself or bring in the pros, don’t let cleaning become an afterthought. You’ll thank yourself when you walk out the door for the last time and don’t have to look back, except maybe to check if you left your phone charger.