When it comes time to move out of your apartment, there’s going to be a lot of things on your mind...
Packing everything, having boxes, deciding what to take and what to trash, and where you’re going next.
On top of all of this, you’ll also probably need to clean—a lot.
Wear and tear around the apartment is normal, so a spot or scratch in a few different places is no big deal.
However, leaving behind piles of filth and soap scum in the shower is NOT okay, and that security deposit you put down when you signed your lease will be yours no more.
Here are a few tips to get your apartment spotless again so you can keep that cash!
1. Create A Schedule
Lots of things need to get done when it's time to move out.
On top of cleaning your apartment, you're also likely:
- Studying for finals
- Preparing for graduation
- Getting ready for a new job
Failing to juggle each of these tasks is the biggest things that hurts students while trying to move out.
Before all of these deadlines approach, create a schedule to determine what needs your focus and when.
2. Clean Under Rocks
When you’re cleaning the apartment, it makes sense to clean the big ticket items like the toilet, sink, stove, counters, etc.
But, you shouldn’t ignore things like the inside of the oven, the wall next to (or behind) your stove, or the coffee table.
It’s easy to overlook these because they likely don’t come across as being things you should worry about when cleaning, but they definitely need TLC like the other larger items in your place!
3. Put Things Back If You Moved Them
It’s likely that when you moved in you rearranged the furniture.
The sofa, beds, and dining area all needed a push if they were going to suit your needs in the space you have.
When you move out, make sure everything is back where it was (or close to it) when you moved in so that the new tenants and leasing company can locate and access all of the furnishings.
You may not have used the end tables in the living room, but you can’t leave them in your bedroom or the closet.
4. Make Sure You Clean Every Space
Along with “cleaning under rocks,” it’s important to make sure every space in your apartment is clean and organized.
The hallways and closets may not get as much traffic as the kitchen or bathroom, but they deserve to be cleaned and should be free of dust and debris for the new tenants.
5. Report Problems To Maintenance Immediately
When you first move into your apartment, things should be in working order.
However, if they're not, it’s always a good idea to record existing damage and take photos of it so that you can distinguish that damage from anything that may be caused later on by you or your roommates.
Then, submit those photos to the landlord within 24 hours so they can have copies, as well.
This process saves the company the hassle of figuring out who did it, and it removes your responsibility as a tenant for things you didn’t do.
As time goes on, things break down and need fixing.
Be quick to contact maintenance as soon as possible when things start to degrade so they are aware of the issue and can fix it before things get worse.
That leak under your bathroom sink? Call maintenance before it becomes water damage.
The crack in the mirror that’s starting to chip? Maintenance!
Informing the company about your issues can help you to get your apartment in tip-top condition before the problems worsen and you become responsible for the damage.
6. Scrub, Scrub, SCRUB!
The best way to keep that money in your security deposit is to do the most extensive and thorough job cleaning you can.
It may sound redundant, but it’s the most basic yet most important thing you can do to keep your apartment from being considered “damaged” or “unclean.”
With these tips in mind, you can start thinking about different ways you can incorporate them in your own apartment when it comes time to leave. No matter how long you stay at your student apartment, you’ll want to know the essentials of how to clean up when you’re done!
