The process of relocating can be as stressful as exciting. When you have decided to move to a new city or into a new house, there is one thing that stands between you and regaining the security deposit and that is the move out cleaning. In some states, it is actually a legal requirement to have a carpet washer clean done in a property. The cleaning should be perfect and you can do it yourself if you plan it well. Here are a few areas you need to keep in mind to ensure that your security deposit is safely returned to you
Windows
The first area that a landlord will look at is the space around the windows. You need to check the top and bottom of the frame for dirt and dust. Use a wet rag and clean the window well. You need to clean the space between the screen and the window glass. Make use of soapy water to rinse the rag because you will notice a lot of dirt in the window. Use a window cleaner to wipe the glass pane and then touch up the frame of the panes. Start from top-down in order to avoid streaks on the glass.
Vacant areas
An empty apartment will always have more surface area to clean. The space that was once occupied by furniture is now supposed to be cleaned. If you want to know what to look for in a move out cleaning, you need to start with all the vacant spaces. Use a strong vacuum cleaner and pull the layers of dirt which have settled at the base of the carpet. If you have a hardwood floor, you need to scrub it thoroughly with soapy water and a mop.
Floors
The entire floor space in your apartment should be clean. There will be severe dirt build-up where furniture was once placed. Scrub down the baseboards and the crown moldings as well. They are the opposite of baseboards and is basically the frame area between the ceiling and the floors. Use an extendable duster in order to reach the crown moldings.
Upper areas
The top of many common areas is often overlooked during cleaning. You need to clean the top of the door frames, cabinets, doors and fridge. Use an extendable duster for easy cleanup. You also need to clean the ceiling fans using the duster. There are dusters specially designed for cleaning fan blades which can make the task easier for you.
Air vents
If your home has a central heating or cooling system, then you will have to clean the vent cover in your apartment. Unattended vents can lead to growth of airborne contaminants and could make the place unhealthy to live in. Clean the vent caps in one go with a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. You can also use a rag to remove the top layer of the dust. Do not use water or any cleaning products because it will streak down the walls.
If you manage to clean these areas well, the landlord will write you a spot check for your deposit.
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