Cleaning spots you can't skip when checking out

Cleaning your home well before moving out is important to get your deposit back and avoid any possible cleaning fees. Before you start scrubbing, make sure to check our list of the most overlooked cleaning spots.

Moving out of your home can be a stressful process, and the to-do list might seem to never end. Between juggling with rental trucks and sweet-talking your friends into helping you transport your stuff to the new place, it's easy to forget the little things that need cleaning in the home you're about to leave behind.

• Remove limescale 
  'Wherever there's water, there's going to be limescale' – is one of the unwritten rules in the cleaning book. Use a limescale remover to get rid of the stubborn limescale in your shower and sinks. You can find this at any supermarket or cleaning supplies store. Let the limescale remover soak all the dirt to make the scrubbing easier for yourself. Then proceed with the classic 'scrub, scrub, scrub' and rinse with a lot of water. Make sure to perform the same process with your sink to make everything clean and limescale-free.
  
  
• Clean inside your cupboards
  Even though the kitchen cupboards might seem an obvious place to clean, it's one of those 'hidden in plain sight' enemies. If your apartment is furnished, remove all the plates and other kitchen utensils from the cupboards and clean the inside. Don't forget about the handles and cupboards' exterior either. These are easily overlooked but bear a lot of greases, food splashes, and fingerprints that you want to clean before moving out.
  
  
• Clean the windows
  Windows are some of the most easily overlooked spots to clean. Before your check-out appointment, clean the inside of your windows and/or balcony doors with a glass cleaner. You can also use warm water with a splash of dish soap. Depending on the building in which you live, the exterior cleaning of the windows might be performed by specialized cleaners, in which case you will not have to clean the exterior of your windows. In other cases (for example, if you live in an unfurnished residence), you need to clean the exterior of your windows by yourself.
  
  
• Clean the refrigerator
  Though most people clean the shelves and drawers of their refrigerators regularly, cleaning under and behind them is a different story. Lots of food particles and dirt will gather in these places, so it’s important to get any drawers and shelves out of the fridge and clean them thoroughly inside and out. Also, make sure to clean the exterior of your refrigerator. Wipe down any unwanted food splatters and fingerprints.
  
  Do you have a refrigerator with a freezer compartment? Don't forget to clean that as well. Turn off the refrigerator so that the ice melts out of the freezer. Clean it and leave it turned off if you don't need to keep anything cold anymore.
  
  
• Deep clean the washing machine
  If your home has a washing machine, you must deep clean it before your check-out. To prolong the life of a washing machine, it's super important to clean it well regularly. Check this guide on why it's important to clean your washing machine extensively.
  
  
  • Remove the detergent dispenser tray and soak it in warm soapy water. Use a toothbrush to scrub away any residue or build-up. Rinse and dry thoroughly before reinserting it into the machine.
  • Get a microfiber cloth or sponge and clean the inside rubbers. Wipe down the inside of the drum and the door seal thoroughly to remove any remaining grime or mold.
  • If your machine has a filter, clean it. Most washing machines have a filter on the right bottom of the machine, behind a round lid. Before you check the filter, put a bucket or tray underneath to catch any excess water. To be sure, grab a towel and put it underneath. Turn the filter counterclockwise slowly. Drain the tube and clean the inside and the filter. Ready? Put it all back in place.
  • Set your washing machine to its hottest water setting and run a cycle with two dishwasher tablets. This will help loosen and dissolve any built-up detergent residues. Don't forget to leave the door wide open after the final washing to avoid any foul smells forming in the machine.
    
    
• Clean the vacuum cleaner
  Though vacuuming the floor is usually not something widely overlooked, many people forget to clean the vacuum itself and replace the vacuum bag with a new one. Make sure to add these to your check-out cleaning list. 
  
  
• Check the electronic appliances
  It’s no secret that appliances can get a bit grimy over time. Irons and especially kettles need to be cleaned thoroughly to get rid of any limescale build-up or other types of dirt. Make sure to wipe them clean on the exterior and when possible, clean their interior too. Clean your kettle by filling it with water and white vinegar or lemon juice. Bring it to a boil and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse it with water afterward to prevent your tea from having a strange taste.
  
  
• Remove any marks on the walls
  Make sure your walls look brand-new when you move out. Minor marks and scuffs on the walls can be removed by gently wiping them down with a wet cloth. 
  
  
• Clean the fabric of the upholstery
  Upholstery fabrics will also become dirty with time. Don’t forget to vacuum your upholstered furniture and wash it using a dry wash solution to ensure everything is clean, odorless, and hair-free.
  
  
• Don't forget the small things 
  With so much going on for your move-out day, it’s easy to forget to clean the small things like switches, door handles, and knobs, which tend to blend in with the walls and doors. There is usually a lot of dust that accumulates on and around them and they help germs spread quickly since they are used so often. Make sure to use an anti-bacterial cleaner to disinfect and polish them regularly. Do you also have an intercom handset, air vents, or heating radiators in your home? Then you should add these to your cleaning list as well.