Whether you’re turning in your keys after a lease is up, selling your home, or staging it for the next tenant, move-out cleaning is essential. It’s the last step before slamming one door and walking through another. Move-out cleaning is more than just a little bit of elbow grease it’s how you maintain a good relationship with a landlord, or increase the likelihood of getting your security deposit back. For Austin renters, busy tech professionals, UT students, and growing families, putting in a good cleaning effort before leaving your rental can ensure you’re leaving on the best possible terms.

In this thorough guide, we’ve compiled a detailed checklist with tasks and reminders that cover every nook and cranny of your move-out cleaning process: from pre-cleaning preparation, to cleaning room-by-room, to getting rid of the most stubborn stains, and knowing when to call professional help. For Austin tenants, this is your cleaning roadmap to a smooth exit. Landlords and realtors can also use this list to make sure their tenants have covered all the bases when leaving the property.

Before you grab the mop and start scrubbing away, we should make sure we set the stage for a thorough and successful moving-out cleaning.

To start, declutter. Go through your items, boxing up and labeling the personal items you plan on taking with you. The best time to do a move-out clean is after everything is out of the home. Otherwise, you risk missing hidden dirt, dust, and trash behind or underneath boxes that will not been seen until moved away.

Before you even start to unpack, make sure to grab all your cleaning tools and products. Here is a handy list of suggested cleaning supplies to keep handy as you work through your move-out cleaning:

• All-purpose cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Floor cleaner
• Microfiber cloths
• Baking soda
• Paper towels
• Rubber gloves
• Mop and bucket
• Broom and dustpan
• A vacuum cleaner and its attachments
• Sponges/cleaning brushes
• Trash bags

Eco-conscious cleaners, look for natural alternatives to harsh cleaners, such as lemon juice, essential oils, and biodegradable solutions. At Juany Cleaning Service, our non-toxic, EPA-approved cleaning products are safe for your Austin family and pets, but tough enough to take on Texas dirt and grime.

Move all large, heavy furniture out of the way. Stack chairs on counters, push sofas to one side, etc. This makes it easier to sweep and mop around them. Take a few moments to wipe and sweep along and underneath these items to remove accumulated dust, too. Pull down picture frames and other wall decor, to be packed.

Alright, at this point you should be fully prepared for the move-out cleaning process. Here are checklists for moving out by room.

Kitchen

The kitchen can be one of the most time consuming areas to clean, since it is a social hub and gathering place, which means dirt and grease tend to accumulate.

• Wipe down all countertops and surfaces
• Degrease and clean the stovetop
• Clear out the oven and wipe it inside and out
• Empty the refrigerator and clean the shelves and bins
• Wipe the microwave’s walls and turntable
• Wipe down the door and exterior of the dishwasher
• Scrub the sink and faucet
• Sanitize the garbage disposal
• Dust and wipe down cabinets
• Wash any removable fixtures like light covers and shades
• Sweep and mop floors
• Clean the backsplash
• Dust vents, and give a good wipe-down of AC vents for accumulated dust (especially important in Austin’s hot, humid summers)

Leave all appliances in working order, clean, and ready for the next resident to use.

Bathrooms

The bathroom is a high-traffic, germ-laden area that will require some elbow grease and extra time to clean. It’s also a place where Austin’s humid climate makes it especially important to combat mildew and moisture buildup:

• Clean and polish mirrors with glass cleaner
• Scrub sinks and counters
• Remove all soap scum and water stains from the bathtub
• Scrub tiles and grout around shower and check for any mildew buildup that is common in Texas humidity
• Wash and replace shower curtains
• Sanitize and clean behind and around the toilet
• Wipe down shelves and cabinets
• Dust the bathroom fan and vents
• Dust sideboards and mop the floor

Living Room

The living room also merits special attention:

• Remove all personal items
• Dust and wipe down all surfaces, including window sills and baseboards
• Remove stains from walls —Pro Tip: For common scuff marks or crayon on walls, use a magic eraser with gentle pressure to avoid paint damage
• Dust outlets
• Clean light fixtures
• Dust ceiling fans thoroughly—Austin’s cedar and oak pollen can accumulate heavily on fan blades, especially during cedar fever season
• Vacuum and clean under furniture
• Mop if necessary

Bedrooms

Bedrooms demand a decent level of cleaning effort too:

• Dust all ceilings, baseboards, and light fixtures
• Wipe down doors and door knobs
• Clean closet shelves
• Wipe down or clean windows, window frames, and sills
• Vacuum carpets or sweep and mop floors

Most Commonly Missed Areas in Austin Move-Out Cleans:

Pay particular attention to these frequently overlooked spots that could cost you your security deposit:

• Sanitizing the garbage disposal
• Dusting electrical outlets and switch plates
• Cleaning inside cabinet drawers
• Wiping down AC vents and returns (critical for allergen removal)
• Clearing away cobwebs from corners and ceiling edges
• Cleaning behind appliances that pull out (fridge, microwave, cabinets)

Remember to have a final walkthrough, when you are finished with your move-out cleaning. Grab a fresh set of eyes to double-check, if possible. That person may catch a stray cobweb in a corner, a small unnoticed stain, or something you otherwise might not have noticed in your own home. Patch up any holes, touch-up paint, and do your best to restore walls and surfaces as close to their original condition as possible. Replace any burned-out lightbulbs. Lastly, be sure the trash is removed and taken to the curb or outside bin.

Renters, there’s no shame in admitting when you need a little help. Sometimes, the smartest and most effective move-out cleaning strategy is to let a professional cleaning company do the heavy lifting for you. An Austin professional cleaning company like Juany Cleaning Service provides a tried and true strategy, a team of expert cleaning professionals, and usually a guarantee on the work they perform. It might just be the stress-free solution your move-out cleaning needs.

Why Austin Residents trust Juany Cleaning Service to move-out clean their home:

• Deposit Guarantee: 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our goal is to give you your full deposit back.
• Local Expertise: We understand the problems with Austin’s weather unique issues like cedar pollen and humidity related mildew
• Eco-Friendly Products: Only EPA approved products that are safe for Central Texas homes, families, and pets.
• Save Time: We’ll finish your cleaning in 3-5 hours that will take most other people an entire weekend to accomplish.
• Serving Greater Austin: Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, and more

Sometimes, the best way to ensure a thorough move-out clean is by enlisting the help of professionals. A cleaning service like Juany Cleaning Service can bring expertise and efficiency and often guarantee their work, making your move out a smooth process.

Cleaning a rental property upon move-out is a necessary step in the home-selling process. For both the tenant and the landlord, a move-out cleaning can be the difference between a fast closing and an entire renovation. This move-out cleaning checklist should serve as a helpful reference to make sure you’re properly equipped to tackle every room in the house. Whatever kind of Austin property you need to move-out clean (apartment in West Campus, townhome in Mueller, house in South Austin), the bottom line is a professional-quality clean. Our checklist is a great resource for most, but each property has its challenges, so modify it to your needs. Above all, consider the power of the expert cleaning company that knows Austin homes.