In a perfect world, your landlord or property manager should clean your apartment before moving in, but there may be some areas that are often overlooked or not up to your standards. Whether you’re renting an apartment in Palm Beach, FL, or renting a house in Los Angeles, CA, take advantage of your empty space and deep clean your new rental for a fresh start. We reached out to experts for their best advice on cleaning your apartment before moving in – here’s what they had to say.
How to clean your new apartment before moving in
Pre-planning your move-in deep clean
“Moving in can be extremely stressful, and oftentimes cleaning is the absolute last thing we want to think about. However, it is critical to plan a few steps before settling in. From double-checking for damages to cleaning, scheming where things should go, and finally unpacking. It’s easy to get sucked into your new apartment’s excitement, but proper planning and task organization prior to unpacking can save you weeks of additional work in the future” – Cobalt Clean
Deep clean areas that are often forgotten about
“Pull out your fridge and stove and clean behind. Most cleaning companies don’t get this, and, trust me, with over 10,000 move-out cleanings done, it can hold years of dirt, grime, and substances that might be mistaken for fossils. Also, when you pull out your stove, make sure to get the side panels. Before running the washing machine, run it with cold water and a cup of vinegar to kill bacteria and smells. You don’t want to wash your clothes with other people’s germs still lingering. Spray the lint catcher in the dryer with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to kill germs – bed bugs like to hide here.” – Move Out Seattle
Where to clean and how to clean it
“There are few things more hectic than packing, moving, and having to clean. But when moving, we all want a fresh, clean start. Before unpacking, clean all areas of your new home. Depending on the surfaces to be cleaned and the home’s condition, this means either just wiping or fully scrubbing. Areas often overlooked, are the insides of kitchen or bathroom cabinets, top of the refrigerator, doorknobs, and baseboards, and behind the toilet. Also, remember that toxic chemicals aren’t needed to sanitize. One of our cleaning products’ main ingredients is Thymol, the 100% natural essential oil of the thyme plant.
For surface cleaning (areas that do not have build-up), we recommend using 1/2 cupful of natural cleaning concentrate and 10 drops of thymol into a bucket of warm water. For areas with build-ups, such as soap scum in showers or tubs, we recommend diluting the cleaner with water at a ratio of 1:3 (1 part concentrate to 3 parts water), letting it soak for 5 minutes, then scrubbing with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad. Then wipe away the solution used for surface cleaning.” – Green Cleaning Seattle
Methods to ensure a thorough deep clean and fewer missteps
“Cleaning your apartment before moving in can be an enormous job. To clean effectively and optimize your energy, begin cleaning the most time-intensive areas: your kitchen and bathrooms. To be more efficient in your cleaning, use a methodical approach, cleaning around the room from left to right and from top to bottom.” – Mission Maids
“You want to focus on a top-to-bottom deep cleaning, from removing cobwebs to tackling old dusty bugs in corners you’ll never think of. Disinfect all bathroom tubs, sinks, and stand-up showers, and make sure you use your favorite product. Don’t forget to vacuum and wipe inside all drawers. If the kitchen has appliances, move them towards you to get to those hidden back greasy areas. And my favorite part is how dirty are those floors from all the showings. Vacuum all floors, mop, and invest in a floor steamer.” – Casa Fantastic Cleaning Services
Consider hiring a cleaning company
“Move-in cleaning is a step you don’t want to skip when you’re focused on things only you can deal with. While the place you’re moving into may look clean, you can never be sure if all the spots are really clean. The best time to clean your new house is while it is still empty. A professional cleaner can do a deep clean that will ensure that all the nooks and crannies of your new space are free of any dirt that may still be trapped.” – Koller Cleaning Services
Trained professionals will give you more than a standard cleaning
“When you call a cleaning company and request their service, expect them to ask you about the cleaning service that you need. A move-in cleaning includes attention to details like cleaning your ceiling fans, wiping your baseboards, and most importantly, door handles, light switches, inside cabinets, interior oven, inside your fridge, and even door frames. Trained professionals will do a more thorough job than standard cleaning. They’ll focus on the details and take more time to clean. They’ll clean areas usually not cleaned when you need a standard cleaning job.” – Green Pure and Clean
Ensure clean personal spaces
“We find with our clients that their biggest concerns moving into a new apartment are the more personal areas. Yes, they want the cobwebs gone from the corner of the ceilings. But the greatest concerns are always in the kitchen – things like the cabinets and drawers, and bathrooms like the shower, tub, and the toilet.” – All Clean by Anabelle
Deep clean your new apartment for a fresh start
Whether your apartment is new or had a previous tenant, deep cleaning your apartment before moving in will ensure your new apartment is spotless. Create a checklist for no missteps, decide on a cleaning method, and get to work or hire a cleaning company. You won’t regret this move-in deep clean.
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