Move Out Cleaning | Cross Country Movers Group

How to Make Move-Out Cleaning Fun and Efficient?

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Move-out cleaning is an essential step when relocating to a new state, but most people avoid it. After preparing all the documents, hiring cross-country movers, and finding a new place to live, getting everything in your home spick and span before the move seems to be a waste of time. We are here to tell you that cleanup can be efficient and fun. Follow our tips to find out how.

How can a cleanup be efficient and fun? In all honesty, it is quite simple. First, you have to organize the cleanup by purchasing supplies and products. Then start with polishing, vacuuming, and scrubbing room by room. You can make it enjoyable by inviting friends over to join you. Organize a cleanup dance party, a cleanup game, or a workout. It will be exciting, and the place will be neat as a new pin after it.

Here Is Why You Shouldn’t Skip Move-Out Cleaning

When planning a move to another city, you have to ensure that the move gets executed properly. You can’t expect your move to go smoothly if you don’t put some effort into getting your place cleaned. It will be easier to organize your belongings, decide what to keep and what to throw away, and pack everything into cardboard boxes.

If you want to prepare your home for sale, you should know there is a better chance of finding buyers with a spotless home. The same goes for people who plan on renting out their homes – the full potential of the house or apartment can be only seen if the place is free from dust, dirt, and clutter.

In case you are a renter, you will be able to get your deposit back only if you leave the property in the condition it was when you first moved in. Also, by choosing to tidy up the place on your own, you will also be able to save money and cut down some of your relocation costs.

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Start by Making a Move Out Checklist

You might be asking yourself – should I have a move-out-cleaning checklist? Checklists and to-do lists will always be an important step when organizing a move. Truth be told, keeping track of all of the tasks that need to be completed is only possible with checklists. If you want to avoid forgetting to do anything, write down a cleanup to-do list. Here you will find tasks that should be featured on your list:

  • Purchase supplies and products,
  • Get rid of unnecessary items,
  • Clean out closets,
  • Mop floors,
  • Sanitize and cleanse the freezer and fridge,
  • Vacuum carpets,
  • Polish kitchen counters, door frames, and windows,
  • Scrub sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and showers.

What Products and Tools Do You Need for a Proper Move-Out House Cleaning?

If you want to make your place neat and tidy, you should purchase hardwood floor cleaner spray, kitchen foaming cleaner, dishwasher detergent, and laundry detergent. You will also require cleaners that can dissolve any sticky or stubborn stains from tape residue or candle wax.

Look for glass cleaners for your mirrors and windows. In case there are some stains and markings on your furniture, use cleaners that are great at removing water rings. For dirt and grime that can get stuck in the leather furniture, buy leather cleaners.

Before purchasing any cleanup tools, check your garage, basement, and attic for tools you already have and that can be used. For a successful cleanup, you must have a vacuum cleaner, a good sponge, a broom, a dustpan, a mop, a microfiber cloth, a squeegee, and a bucket of water.

First, Declutter and Get Rid Of Old Things

Before you begin to tidy up, it is important to declutter all of the rooms. Perhaps your closet is full of clothes you never wear, or your bathroom is cluttered with expired products. It will be impossible to pack, let alone clean, a space that has no longer useful or valuable items.

We recommend that you start with your attic or basement and get rid of furniture that you have not thrown out yet. You won’t move furniture that you don’t use anymore, so it should be the first thing to be discarded. Next, get rid of old toys, books, antique pieces, and equipment you no longer require.

It Would Be Best to Donate or Sell Items You Don’t Want to Move to the New Home

When you gather all of the things you want to get rid of, decide what can be sold and what would be best to donate. If you want to sell unwanted items, we recommend organizing a yard sale. Earning a bit of extra cash will greatly benefit your budget when moving cross country.

Clothing that no longer fits but is still in good condition, board games, toys, shoes, bags, kitchenware, and books you no longer need can be donated to local charities and non-profit organizations. You can always donate to your local Goodwill.

Tips on How to Properly Clean Your House Before Moving Out?

Have you already contacted your cross-country moving company and invested in moving services? It’s essential that you prepare for the movers by getting your place neat and tidy. Therefore, it’s time to get your place cleaned. Here are some tips on how to do it properly room-by-room.

How to Best Deep Clean Your Bedroom?

There are a lot of personal items and furniture in your bedroom; therefore, it would be ideal to declutter your bedroom, so it will be easier to reach everything. We recommend placing all of your clothing from the closet in cardboard boxes to move it out of the way.

Start the cleanup by wiping down bookcases and cupboards. You can do this efficiently by first using a dry cloth, then polishing with a damp cloth and a multisurface cleaner. Dust your lampshades, overhead fan, bed headboard, and baseboards.

Mop any hardwood floors, and vacuum the carpet. What is more, you can use a steam cleaner on curtains and carpets for better results. Also, ensure that you wash your bedding before moving to a new state.

Here is a video with all the tips and tricks on how to best tidy up your bedroom.

How to Get Your Kitchen Cleaned?

The first step to kitchen cleanup is getting rid of all the food. Relocation companies do not transport perishables, so you won’t be able to transport a defrosting fridge. Also, empty your cupboards and shelves as much as possible. When you empty the fridge, use hot soapy water and a cloth to cleanse the interior and the exterior.

Dust and polish kitchen appliances before packing everything away into cardboard boxes. Also, dust the space where they were placed. Disinfect all counter-tops with a damp microfiber cloth and cleaner spray. Wipe down faucets and taps and use an over-the-counter limescale product to remove any limescale deposits. But don’t use your limescale remover on a sensitive surface.

Your oven needs to be polished, too. Don’t forget to wipe down the switches, hob, air exterior, and racks. It would be wise to put some newspaper below the oven while polishing it because cleaners can stain and damage the floor beneath.

How to Perform a Deep Cleaning of Your Living Room?

Living rooms are the most used areas, and that is why a lot of dirt and grime can accumulate over time, especially in carpets and furniture. You will have to dust and polish everything as well as remove cobwebs behind electronic devices.

Take out your bucket with some warm water and use a cloth to polish all cupboards and bookcases. Move your TV and a stereo system and wipe them down. While cleansing your TV, take a photo of the wires and cables behind it so that when you unpack it after the move, you will know how to set it up easily.

Wipe down all the hard-to-reach surfaces and get rid of cobwebs with a long-handled duster. A steam cleaner will come in handy for killing any germs on your floors and furniture. The last step to a living room cleanup is to vacuum the carpet so that no speck of dust can be seen.

Leave the Bathroom For the End

A useful relocation tip is to leave your bathroom for the end because you and your family members will use it all the way until your relocation, and it can easily get dirty. When you finish cleansing every other room, take a soft sponge and polish the bathtub and the mirrors. Mop the floor tiles a couple of times since mud and grime accumulate on floor tiles very quickly.

Use an all-purpose cleaner for your toilet. If you determine that there is buildup, sprinkle some toilet-specific cleaner and brush the toilet. Don’t forget to spray and wipe the outside of the toilet, too.

Open all of the drawers and get rid of empty bottles or expired products. A damp cloth will be useful for removing dust from cabinet faces.

In case you determine there is some mold around your bath and shower, get a mold removal service to help you get rid of it.

How Can You Make a Cleanup Fun and Exciting?

Whether you are relocating for a job or intend to move because of love, there is no reason not to have fun while waiting to begin a life in a new city. Whatever your reasons to move are, use the opportunity to have your friends and family help with your cleanup. It can be a fun farewell party that will allow you to say goodbye and prepare for a stress-free move. Here are some tips on how this task can be fun as well.

Invite Friends For a Cleanup Dance Party

Performing a deep cleanup can be tedious, especially if you are attempting to tidy up by yourself. In case you lack motivation, invite your friends to make it more exciting. Tell them you are organizing a cleanup farewell party. Everyone can bring their own tools and products. Tell them your cleanup goals and assign a room to each person.

Play some music and order food. The task will be accomplished in record time, and you will also have an opportunity to hang out with all of your friends before relocating to a big city. Also, if you have some friends who have recently moved, you could ask them for some useful relocation hacks.

Create a Cleanup Game

Tackling this task and creating a game out of it is great if you are relocating to the suburbs with children. There are numerous games you can come up with while decluttering, vacuuming, and folding laundry. For instance, ask your family members to guess how long it will take to wipe the floors or take out the trash. Set a timer and see who guessed right. Another fun game is to organize a battle to see who can clean a particular room first. The winner can get a chance to choose a prize.

If You Think You Cannot Tidy Up Your Home Like a Professional – Invest in Cleaning Services

Doing everything yourself is a less costly option. But, if your goal is to quickly sell your apartment, or you fear that you might not get your deposit back, the best way is to invest in cleaning services. Contact professionals and get your place to be spotless. Professional cleanings include scrubbing, mopping, dusting, and vacuuming.

Choose between classic service or premium service. A classic cleanup is for clients who have kept their homes well maintained but require help getting their deposit back or selling. However, if your sofa has lost its original color or there are crayons all over your walls, it’s best to invest in a premium cleanup service. Deep cleanings will leave your place spick and span. You might even sell your home without an agent pretty quickly.

How Much Does a Move-Out Cleaning Cost?

The average move–out cleanup price for an apartment is somewhere between 120 and 340 dollars. However, if you need a house clean-up, the cost will be higher. For a home up to 3,500 square feet, expect to pay from 240 to 600 dollars. The cost depends on the size of the home as well as the amount of cleansing that is required.

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Make the Cleanup Fun and Efficient or Invest in a Professional Service

A cross-country movers group that will provide you with packing services will have a much easier time boxing up your household goods if every room is neat and tidy. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to perform a basic cleanup. If it seems like a tedious and time-consuming task, get your friends and family members to help. Prepare a checklist, get all the tools and products, and start getting rid of dirt and grime room-by-room. Trust us; you will move efficiently if you follow these tips.

Steven Rogers

Apart from sharing Captain America's name, our freelance writer Steven is also a big fan of moving, history, and geography.

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