Moving is stressful enough without losing part of your deposit over a dusty baseboard. Most landlords and property managers in Austin walk through a unit with a checklist, and the things they flag are almost always the same.
Start with the kitchen. Empty the refrigerator completely, pull out the shelves and drawers, and wipe every surface inside — including the door seals, where crumbs and spills hide. Clean the inside of the oven and the microwave, wipe the stovetop and range hood, and wipe out every cabinet and drawer.
Bathrooms come next. Scrub the toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it. Clean the tub or shower, the tile and the grout lines, and remove soap scum from the glass. Wipe the mirror, the vanity and the inside of the cabinet under the sink.
Then work room by room from top to bottom. Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures first, then wipe light switches, door handles, windowsills and blinds. Finish with the baseboards before the floors, so any dust you knock down gets picked up.
Floors last. Vacuum carpets thoroughly — edges and corners included — and mop hard floors. Freshly vacuumed carpet with even lines is one of the first things people notice when they walk into an empty room.
Do not forget the small stuff: closet shelves, the inside of the washer and dryer area, the patio or balcony, and any nail holes or marks your lease asks you to address.
Short on time before your move? Ricos Cleaning Services does detailed move-in and move-out cleaning across Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville and San Marcos. Call (512) 968-7283 for a free quote, and ask about our 15% customer discount.