Moving Out? Say Goodbye to a Freshly Clean Home

If you are in the midst of moving to a new home, your focus will most likely be on your destination-where you're going, not where you're leaving. You look forward to the feeling of "clean" and "fresh" you'll get when you're settled in your new place. You're not paying much attention to the old homestead, with its all-too-familiar stains, spots, and smears. You hardly even see them anymore, but you can be sure that landlords, brokers and potential buyers will notice.

You can get a lot of cleaning done in a short time if you clean as you clear. Look at each room with a critical eye as it is being packed and you'll easily see what needs your attention. Then get your spot cleaning and touch-ups done before moving on to the next room.

"Broom clean" and a bit more: cleaning a rental upon departure
Many rental leases require that the tenant leave the premises "broom clean," which is a quaint way of saying, "no visible dirt." Sure, you'll sweep it, but if you really want to get your deposit back promptly and without an argument, consider going a bit further.

Rug and carpet cleaning: Some rental apartments have wall-to-wall or area carpeting in some or all rooms. You can brighten them up with high-traffic spray spot-cleaners (if the area to be cleaned is small), spray carpet cleaners (let dry and vacuum after cleaning), or larger machines available for rent at many supermarkets (good for several rooms of wall-to-wall carpeting.) The machine rental is economical only for the combination of large dirty rugs and difficult landlords.
Walls and cabinet cleaning: They may look clean, but you know when you open a kitchen cabinet door that those handles need attention. Use a spray cleaner and sponge, or a wetted Mr. Clean� Magic Eraser� cleaning pad to quickly clean those sticky, messy handles. The surrounding cabinet surfaces and walls will certainly need a swipe, too.
Solid floors: If your rental has wood, tile or composite floors you can brighten them up quickly and remove invisible sticky substances with a spray cleaner made for that floor type, along with a dry mop or cloth.
Bathrooms: Pay attention to these often-overlooked clean-up spots: behind the sink and toilet (vacuum, sweep, wipe); above the tile line anywhere in the room including shower or tub, and above the doorframe, in the ceiling corners (vacuum, sweep, wipe). Don't forget to clean the exteriors of bathroom fixtures, especially pedestal sinks, stall shower door frames, and other nooks and crannies where dust, mold and debris often collect. Use a tile, tub, and sink grout cleaner to brighten walls, floors, and tub grout lines, or use a wetted Mr. Clean� Magic Eraser� Bathroom Scrubber instead, for quick and clean results.

"Move-in condition": cleaning your home to rent or sell
It's psychology: people want to move into a clean home. There's no question that you'll sell or rent your home faster if it looks clean. Even if you're beyond busy with all the moving chores you've got, follow this list of cleaning tasks; think of it as the least you should do.

Vacuum and sweep. Not just your usual once-over, though-seek out and destroy dust bunnies under furniture, in the back corners of recently emptied closets, behind large appliances and bookcases, and up high, in the corners of window and door frames, exhaust fans, moldings and stairways. An extension tool for your vacuum cleaner or a long-handled duster is a worthwhile investment.
Clean cabinet doors, handles, and switch plates. Arm yourself with a sponge or cloth and spray cleaner, or a wetted Mr. Clean� Magic Eraser� cleaning pad, and clean every cabinet knob, drawer handle or pull, and every electrical switch cover and outlet plate in your home. Don't limit your efforts to the hardware, though: the wall or wood area surrounding the knob, handle, or plate needs attention, too. While you're at it, do the room and closet doorknobs. The disappearance of sticky, dirty fingerprints will make a big difference in your home. Magic Eraser� also does a great job on small spots on the walls.
Spot-clean carpets and rugs. See above, under "rentals," for detailed suggestions on rug and carpet cleaning.
Touch up painted trim. Pick up a quart can of paint that matches in color and finish the trim in your home, along with a small foam brush. Going room by room, use small dabs of paint to cover scrapes, scratches and chips on door and window frames, staircases (posts, spindles, and railings) and baseboard molding.
Spot-check for breakage. Remember, when your home is cleared of furniture and personal items, what remains will be extremely noticeable. Make sure anything that stays in place, including kitchen appliances, is not broken, visibly damaged, or nonfunctional.

Last but not least, don't leave your home without working light bulbs in every fixture, a fresh sponge at the kitchen sink (and throw out that ragged, smelly one), and a clean or even a new doormat at the front door.