Move Out Cleaning Guidelines

• All light bulbs are to be in working condition (inside and outside). Regular light bulbs in all fixtures, with appropriate vanity bulbs in the bathrooms. This includes outside lights. If a fixture has multiple bulbs, there must be matching bulbs within the fixture. If you have vaulted ceilings and cannot reach the fixture, bulbs must be left for Maintenance to install.
• All light fixtures to be clean and free of dead bugs.
• All ceiling fans to be dusted.
• All blinds to be dusted, & cleaned if necessary.
• All windows clean and streak-free, and sills & window tracks cleaned.
• Maintenance closets to be swept and free of debris, dust, and cobwebs.
• Fresh air returns to be free of grime and dust.
• Ovens to be spotless with no baked on grease. Do not use an abrasive pad to remove baked on grease. Use a degreaser with a razor blade to scrape off stubborn spots.
• Pull out stove and clean sides of stove, behind & under stove. This includes cabinet sides and walls surrounding stove.
• Clean out stove drawer if applicable.
• Clean top of refrigerator, behind & under refrigerator. Defrost freezer if necessary.
• Burner pans to be shiny and free of baked on grease. Replace burner pans if grease does not come off.
• No hard water or accumulated grime around sink fixtures.  Use a commercial hard water stain remover or a solution of vinegar to remove hard water stains. Use a hard water stain remover or a solution of vinegar to remove hard water stains. (Take care not to damage the fixture)
• Absolutely no rings or stains in toilets. Use a specialty cleaner or a solution of vinegar to remove hard stains.
• Wipe out all cabinets, tops of cabinets & closet shelves.
• Wipe down all doors, front & back – including decorative parts of the door and knobs. Be sure to clean sides of doors and door jams as well.
• Clean all baseboards.
• Clean all light switches. No grime to be seen on the On/Off toggle or in any outlets. Use a toothbrush or q-tip if necessary.
• Clean and dust behind washer & dryer, if applicable. This includes hoses & vents, as well as top & sides (& crevices) of the machines.
• If you are responsible for yard care, leave the yard mowed , trimmed and weeded.  If you have a pet that has left spots in the lawn, replace or reseed the damaged areas.
• Vacuum all carpets including stairs and edges.
• Wood, tile, and vinyl floors must be mopped (with proper cleaning chemicals – avoid water on wood floors) and have no sticky spots on them, nor visible grime. Additional scrubbing may be necessary, especially around the edges and underneath the cabinets.
• Remove all cobwebs and debris in the corners indoors and out.
• Clean all counters and cabinet fronts, and sides if applicable.
• Wipe off handrails.
• If you have a garage, it must be swept and spills cleaned up, and garbage can cleaned out.
• Patios or balconies must be swept and railings wiped off.

 

* A List of Suggested Cleaning Supplies & Techniques *

 

• Good quality mop, broom/dust pan, scrubbing brush, & some rags.
• Vacuum Cleaner with Edging Tool– use for carpet edges & stairs.
• Old/Cheap TOOTHBRUSH– Use for edges, rims, hinges, handles, grooves, grout, faucets, switch plates, etc.
• Shower/Tub Cleaner– To remove soap-scum buildup on bathtubs & surrounds, use SCRUBBING BUBBLES with a rough-sided sponge or brush. Don’t let the bubbles completely dry before scrubbing – do a small area at a time so you won’t waste the bubbles. Do not assume that the scum is gone just because it is shiny – that’s because it is wet. Run your fingers over the area – if clean, it will feel smooth. Make sure to rinse it off the faucets.
• Walls & Doors– Use MR CLEAN MAGIC ERASER. It works great on removing black marks with little effort. Make sure to dampen it just a little bit. Cost is pretty cheap, especially at WalMart. Use TOOTHBRUSH for light switches, electrical outlets, around doorknobs, kitchen/bathroom cabinet handles, etc.
• Toilets– Use CLOROX TOILET BOWL cleaner, or something similar. If there is a ring in the bowl, use a PUMICE STONE – fast results & won’t hurt the porcelain. Around the outside & for the seat/lid, use any type of HOUSEHOLD SURFACE WIPES – it is fast & disinfects. Use a wipe wrapped over the toothbrush to get around the hinges on the seat & lid as well as around the bolts on the bottom of the toilet.
• Mirrors & Windows– Use WINDEX and then wipe with paper towels or dry cloths until streak free. To check, look at the surface at an angle – streaks will show up.
• Window Rails/Tracks– Use a regular kitchen/dinner knife wrapped in a damp rag.
• Self-Clean Oven–**DO NOT USE Easy Off for SELF-CLEAN OVENS! This feature takes a few hours so plan ahead – it will not unlock till complete and will need to cool down, even after it unlocks. You will need to wipe it out afterwards! Also, the front edges of the oven and the door will need some additional scrubbing.
• Regular Oven– Use EASY OFF for the inside, or something similar. Wrap the heating elements (not the racks) in aluminum foil for quick cleanup & no stink later when using the oven. Most newer ovens have doors that will lift off: just tilt door slightly open & tug up – it should slide easily. Racks will need to be sprayed as well. Works best to put them in a garbage bag, spray, and let them soak for easy wiping later. Inside of the oven door and front edges of opening will need additional scrubbing. Razor blade is great.
• Stove Top– Most stove tops lift up to access spills under the drip pans. Spray spills with 409 (or something similar) and let soak. Use a knife or razor blade for scraping if spills are stubborn. DRIP PANS – Use SOS pads if you would rather take the time to scrub them clean. It’s easiest just to buy new. They are fairly inexpensive and available at WalMart & home improvement stores. Purchase by diameter & appliance brand.
• Microwave– To soften food spatter, use a microwave-safe container (ie: glass measuring cup) and fill with water. Place in microwave for 5 minutes on High. Remove and the spatter should wipe off easily.
• Sinks & Faucets– Use a product w/bleach to remove stains. SOFT SCRUB is excellent & doesn’t scratch. Use the toothbrush around outside of sink rims, overflow openings, drains, and nooks & crannies of faucets. Rinse well.
• 409 & Magic Eraser– the absolute best combination for grease on a range hood!

 

 Areas Usually Overlooked

Fridge

• Underneath bottom door shelf & rubber seal
• Vent at bottom.
• Texture on handles.
• Edges of handles.
• Door hinge.
• Between doors.
• Top hinge & top of frig.
• Rubber seal around door

Microwave

• Vent above microwaves & range hoods.
• Filter pops out & can be run through dishwasher.
• Grease splatters around lights & underside of hood.
• Around clock.
• Window edge.
• Inside & outside of drawer.
• Edges of handle & vent behind it.

Dishwasher

• Food & utensils in bottom
• Detergent Build-up
• Dirt & food spills around edges.

Stove

• Underneath stove top
• Rims under drip pans

Sink

• Grime & hard water build-up on faucet, handle, sprayer
• Rim around edges of sinks & faucets
• especially behind sink.

Cabinets

• Edges on doors & around handles.
• Corners & edges of drawers.
• Dust & grime build-up in edges

Toilet

• Hinges behind the seat
• especially under the plastic caps.
• Outside of bowl & around floor edge.
• Bolts at the bottom.
• Hinges & edges – especially underneath