Areas To Clean Before Leaving A Rental Apartment

You're all packed and ready to move into your new apartment. But are you really? Could there be something that you are forgetting? How about cleaning your previous home? Oh, that's right. There's that whole ordeal to go through! After all, a pre-move cleaning is essential. Otherwise, you could potentially say goodbye to your security deposit. However, while many people dread tidying up, especially deep-cleaning after months, possibly years, of having not done so, the whole process doesn't have to be as complicated. This article aims to introduce you to the areas that need to be cleaned before leaving a rental apartment. It's also meant to make the process seem less frightening. And who knows? You might even enjoy getting the work done by the end of it!

Cleaning Before Leaving a Rental Apartment: What to Clean and How to Do It

Get the cleaning tools ready and prepare your favorite playlist as we are just about to discuss how you can make the entire apartment spotless before you vacate it! Of course, before you've gone ahead and started the process, get the furniture out of the way. As far as furniture removal is concerned, let professionals handle it since they'll be able to do it promptly and problem-free. 

Room Number #1 – Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the rooms that receive the highest traffic. As it's also a place designed with preparing food in mind, it's only natural that it would be prone to accumulating grease, crumbs, and dirt. That's why it's imperative to deep-clean the kitchen areas before you've officially moved out.
 

Clear the Cabinets

In order to get to cleaning, you would, first, need to remove everything from the cabinets. Chances are they're packing with food that's long expired! Toss everything out and gently wipe down the cabinets using a dampened cloth. A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment can also be used as an alternative. Not to mention that it will make getting rid of crumbs easier.

Clean the Fridge

You'll need to sanitize the refrigerator inside-out. Begin by unplugging it from the power source. Then, get yourself a cloth and make a solution of one part baking soda and seven parts distilled water. Put the solution into a spray bottle and spray the inside and the outside of the fridge with it. Use the cloth to thoroughly clean the areas.

Deep-Clean the Oven

While you could certainly succumb to the commercial oven cleaning agents, it's also possible to take a DIY approach when it comes to degreasing it. First, remove the racks and wash them separately. Then, use water and baking soda to create a thick paste that you will spread over the oven's interior, all while staying clear from the coils. Leave it to dry before using the white distilled vinegar to clean the area.

Wipe the Countertops

Before leaving a rental apartment, you'll need to disinfect the countertops. For this task, use an all-purpose cleaner. For tougher stains, resort to making a baking soda-vinegar paste. Apply it onto the affected area and let it sit for a couple of minutes before scrubbing it with a brush. Once scrubbed, use a damp cloth to wipe the countertops clean.

Unclog the Drain and Clean the Sink

A solution of one part baking soda and two parts white vinegar can help unclog the drain. Let the mixture sit for approximately 15 minutes. Once the time has passed, rinse it out using warm water. Regarding cleaning the sink, use a bit of dishwashing liquid in combination with the hot water. Dry everything using a soft cloth.

Room Number #2 - Bathroom

Avoid cleaning the bathroom with your things still in it. Instead, pack up everything while only leaving the essentials.

Wipe the Mirror(s)

While streaky mirrors probably won't affect your security deposit, to keep the tenant-landlord relationship intact, it's advisable that you wipe the mirrors, as well. It's a basic task that won't last more than a couple of minutes. Get a glass cleaning agent from the nearest store and a lint-free cloth. Spray the cleaner onto the mirror and wipe it in a circular motion to achieve that spotless look!

Disinfect the Toilet

As the toilet is a breeding ground for all sorts of germs, in order to sanitize it, you'll need to use harsher chemicals. For instance, a bleach-based cleaner could do the trick. As far as tough stains go, you might have a bit of scrubbing to do. Equip yourself with a scrubbing brush and gloves, as you'll be getting your hands dirty. Quite literally!

Clean the Shower

It's not uncommon for mold to build inside the shower. To reduce the mold successfully, you may want to combine one part bleach with two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the areas affected by decay with the said solution and leave it be for 10 minutes. Mold should, soon enough, start fading away. However, if it happens to be particularly resilient, use a scrubbing brush to scrub the remainder away. The rest of the shower you can clean with vinegar and dish soap.

Remove Dust From the Bathroom Fan

From time to time, it pays to call a professional to clear the bathroom fan. However, a basic pre-move cleaning you can do yourself, as well. First, you'll want to remove the bathroom fan cover and wash it under warm water. For the inside, use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool, as it should suck in the majority of dust.

...and more areas to clean

Considering that the kitchen and the bathroom are rooms that are hardest to clean, it's worth paying special attention to cleaning them before leaving a rental apartment. However, that doesn't mean that other parts of the apartment should be neglected. In fact, you should pay as much attention to cleaning the living room, bedroom, laundry room, and so forth. Make sure to clean the windows, wipe the door knobs, mop the floors, dust the shelves, and clear the cobwebs.

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