The seemingly endless process of packing and moving is finally over, but you aren’t done. Back at your old place there are dust bunnies, kitchen grease and who knows what that might have been lurking underneath and behind your furniture. It’s time to do your move out cleanup.

Depending on your budget, doing your move out cleaning can be as quick as picking up the phone and ordering a cleaning service, but that can be costly. If you want to do it yourself, fortunately, there are quick tips.

Best ways to do a move out cleanup

While a move out cleanup might look daunting, it’s not that bad if you are organized. Arm yourself with sanitizing wipes, a good floor cleaner,

1. Wipe down doors, doorknobs and switch plates.

A sanitizing wipe or a paper towel with an all-purpose cleanser is all you need.

2. Clean light fixtures and make sure all bulbs work

A quick wipe with a window cleaner and a paper towel should be all you need. If there are insects in the light fixtures, throw them away then wipe down the covers.

3. Walls and baseboards

Run a wet rag along all baseboards. Dust the walls and if there are marks, wipe them with an all purpose cleaner, but test the paint in a tiny corner first. If a cleaner damages the paint, lightly scrub with a magic eraser.

Blinds

If your home has blinds, vacuum them first. If there is still dirt, clean them with a mixture of vinegar and water. Clean one side of each slat and then turn the slat over and clean the other. Make sure all slats line up before you finish.

Patch holes

If you have nail holes in the wall, patch them with putty and paint over it.

Ceiling fan

Ceiling fans gather a lot of dust. You should clean them weekly, but make sure that they are thoroughly wiped down with a damp cloth after the move.

Stove and oven

If you have an automatic oven cleaner, begin that cycle right after the movers leave. If you do not have an automatic oven cleaner, use a spray cleaner. Make sure you wipe out any residue from the oven after it soaks. Wipe down the top of the stove. If there is built on grease, a solution of vinegar and baking soda should do the trick. If you have an electric stove, you may need to replace the drip pans. They are inexpensive and can be found at any hardware store. You should also clean your stove hood and underneath the oven drawer.

Counters

Wipe them thoroughly. Again, if there’s grease, use the vinegar/baking soda solution.

Cupboards and drawers

Remove all lining paper, wipe them down and reline the shelves and drawers.

Refrigerator

Clean all glass shelves with a window cleaner. Clean drawers in the sink. Thoroughly dry before putting back in the refrigerator. Wipe down the door. Be sure to wipe down the top of your refrigerator.

Windows

Clean all windows with a window cleaner or vinegar and water. Wipe down the window sills.

Bathtub or shower

The bathtub can be one of the most difficult things to clean. Use a strong bathtub cleaner, a magic eraser and a little elbow grease. Use a squeegee to dry it and ensure there are no streaks. Shine the faucet with a window cleaner and a paper towel.

Toilet

Wipe all around the toilet, under the seat and under the lid.

Sink

If the sink has hard water buildup, clean it like you did the bathtub. Wipe it thoroughly and shine the faucet.

Floors

Vacuum all carpet. Spot clean or rent a cleaner if necessary. Use a hardwood floor cleaner on hardwoods and a tile cleaner on the rest.

Viola! You’re done!

Featured image via Pixabay.