Moving into a new house or moving out of your old home can be stressful. That’s why cleaning service companies exist. But what IS the difference between move-in and move-out cleaning services? We will discuss each service below, what they are used for, and how they differ.

• Move-in/make ready cleaning services prepare your new place for you to move in.
• Move-out cleaning helps you deep clean your old place to get your deposit back.
• Save time and enjoy less stress by leaving it to the pros.

Move-in cleaning (also referred to as make-ready cleaning) helps your new place start off sparkling. Make-ready cleanings are typically furnished since either landlords rent their properties furnished or sellers are wanting to show “photo-ready” homes after staging. Occasionally, we will do make-ready cleanings that are unfurnished if the sole purpose is to just get your new place sparkling clean.

If you are one of the many techies moving to Austin’s “Silicon Hills,” then a make-ready cleaning is a great hands-off option for you. Starting a new job at Tesla, Apple, or Google, and have your hands full with your cross-country move? You don’t have time to scrub baseboards, so let us do it for you.

Move-in cleaning is done with the intention of making a place look clean and inviting for a new tenant. Move-in cleaning is a deeper clean than your standard cleaning. We will deep clean your home so that it doesn’t just look clean, but is germ-free.

• Cleaning bathrooms, including tiles, toilets, sinks, and bathtubs.
• Dusting all surfaces such as shelves, baseboards, and light fixtures.
• Vacuuming to aid in removal of dirt/allergens from carpet.
• Mopping all wood and tile flooring. 
• Cleaning inside and outside of appliances, including oven, refrigerator, and washing machine (optional).

Why hire a professional cleaner for move-in cleaning? Here’s why:

• Saves Time: Don’t spend your time cleaning. Spend your time relaxing after moving boxes, while the professionals do the cleaning.
• Thoroughness: Professional cleaners use specialized tools and techniques for a deep clean.
• Healthier Environment: Professional cleaning services have been shown to eliminate allergens/bacteria by up to 90% according to the American Cleaning Institute. That’s healthier air for new residents. Even more so in Central Texas where pollen doesn’t come just seasonally. It’s a lifestyle. Move-in cleaning removes the buildup of Ashe Juniper (Cedar) pollen that causes Austin’s famous “Cedar Fever”, oak pollen, and that wonderful Austin dust you can feel coating everything- so you don’t have to spend week one of living in your new place sneezing like crazy.

Schedule your cleaning prior to moving your belongings in. Cleaning prior to move-in allows us to get every square inch dust-free before your stuff gets in the way. We’ll ensure your home looks perfect for you or your tenant’s move-in day.

Timing Tip for Austin area rentals: If your move-in schedule is around late July or August “student turn”, schedule early. Every summer, our bookings around West Campus and Riverside fill up quickly due to the high volume of UT Austin students moving out and into new apartments. Booking your cleaning early is your best bet at securing the day you need.

Move-out cleaning provides a more thorough cleaning of your home for your next tenant. Its primary focus is to deep clean your home so it shines from top to bottom. Move-out cleaning covers every aspect of your home, including kitchens and bathrooms, to exceed landlord and property manager expectations. Move-out cleaning ensures that every nook and cranny is looked at. Move-out cleaning services range from washing floors to cleaning appliances to meet stringent cleanliness guidelines.

Move-out cleaning exists primarily to get a home ready for new occupants. For renters, move-out cleaning ensures you get your deposit back. After all, move-in to move-out landlords in Austin can be picky. 

If you rent in a competitive area like Downtown, East Austin, or South Lamar, the property management company will hold extra-high standards during your final walkthrough. Hire a professional move-out cleaning company to avoid forfeiting your deposit over dusty baseboards, a dirty oven, or filthy grout.

Research from the Real Estate Staging Association for Sellers shows homes that are professionally cleaned upon entering the market create a better first impression with buyers and are 20% more likely to sell faster and for 5-10% more than homes that are not professionally cleaned.” In today’s buyer’s markets in hot Austin suburbs, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, and West Lake Hills, just to name a few, buyers are seeing multiple listings, and a home that is sparkling clean and move-in ready is what will set yours apart from the rest and sell quickly.

• Cleaning wall, floor, and surface stains. 
• Extracting dirt and allergens from carpets. 
• Cleaning grease and burnt-on food from the burners and interior of the oven.
• Polishing faucets, handles, and other fixtures. 
• Scrubbing bathroom tiles and grout. 
• Dusting; including ceiling fans. 
• Cleaning appliance interiors and exteriors (i.e., fridge and stove).
• Wiping interior and exterior of cabinets. 

Move-out cleaning can be difficult. It takes a long time and involves scrubbing away at stains you don’t usually see when cleaning. Additionally, you have to deep clean your whole place. Trust us when we say hiring a move-out cleaning company is convenient! We know how to get your place sparkling clean. We have all the tools necessary to reach those tough stains with minimum effort from you.

Aspect	Move-In Cleaning	Move-Out Cleaning
Focus	Preparing the home for new occupants	Deep cleaning to meet lease or sale agreement requirements
Depth of Cleaning	Deep cleaning and sanitization of all rooms and surfaces	Extensive cleaning to return to the original state
Target Audience	New homeowners or renters preparing to move into a property	Previous homeowners or renters preparing to vacate a property

Move-in cleaning is all about sanitizing those common areas and surfaces for your fresh start. It’s perfect for new homeowners who want everything to be clean for move-in day. Move-out cleaning goes into great detail as well. Cleaning services strive to get your house back to move-in condition and up to code with your leasing agreement. This usually includes deep cleaning chores such as scrubbing.

You should hire a cleaning service if:

• You don’t have time to clean – Between packing and moving, you just don’t have time to clean the house.
• Your home needs more than a simple cleaning – If your property could use a deep clean by a professional, then go hire one.
• You want it done perfectly – You want things done perfectly and by professionals.

• Cost: Will it cost you more to hire help? Or lose your security deposit/clean yourself? 
• Reviews: Ask your friends and family for recommendations online.
• Cleaning Services: Ensure the cleaning service provides all your moving services.

Move-in/make-ready vs move-out cleaning serve different functions. Move-in cleaning readies your home for new occupants. Our crews deep clean bathrooms, kitchens, and living spaces. Renters use move-out cleaning services to fulfill their lease agreements and receive their deposit back. Home sellers who use move-out cleaning services often receive better offers and close faster. Pack smart, label boxes, transfer utilities to your new address, and declutter to lighten your moving load.

Moving out of a South Congress apartment or into your dream home in Pflugerville? Don’t take a chance with your heavy lifting. Schedule a consultation with Austin’s best cleaners today!