Before you move out of an apartment, you’ll need to thoroughly clean it, as failing to do so may cause you to lose some or all of your security deposit.
But how long does move-out cleaning take? That’s exactly what we discuss in this article!
General cleaning may take 3-6 hours, but how long it takes depends on the size of the space and its condition, the amount of large furniture there is, and the cleaning supplies available.
If you want cleaning to go as quickly as possible, hire a professional cleaning service that specializes in move-out cleaning.
Efficient Move-Out Cleaning Tips
Use these tips to make move-out cleaning as efficient as possible:
- Set aside enough time, as cleaning can take several hours and you don’t want to rush.
- Make a cleaning checklist to ensure nothing is missed.
- Empty all cabinets and drawers and remove clutter before you start cleaning.
- Have all your cleaning supplies ready to go in advance, as cleaning will take longer if you don’t.
- Clean rooms one at a time and take a 10-15 minute break after you deep clean a room.
- Clean the rooms you use least first, as these rooms probably won’t need much cleaning.
- Move all movable, large furniture to one corner of the room so most of the floor can be easily cleaned.
- Deep clean bathrooms, bedrooms, and the kitchen, as these spaces are used more than others.
- Dust all surfaces and ceiling fans.
- Hire a professional move-out cleaning service to ensure the space is spotless before you move out.
Quick and Effective Move-Out Cleaning
Plan ahead to Reduce Cleaning Time
If your goal is to clean quickly yet effectively, you need to come up with a cleaning plan before you start scrubbing and dusting.
Each room should have its own checklist. Complete cleaning tasks one by one until all of them have been checked off.
Once no more tasks remain, briefly inspect this part of the house to make sure everything is clean. If everything looks good, you’re ready for the next room.
Open Spaces Are Easier to Clean Than Cluttered Ones
Moving all large, movable furniture to one corner of the room is advisable because it makes cleaning the floor or carpet much easier.
Once the open space has received a detailed cleaning, move everything back before cleaning the remaining corner.
Scrub large surfaces (walls, doors, tabletops, countertops, etc.) before you move on to the nooks and crannies.
Use Alternative Cleaning Methods
If you can’t use chemical-based cleaning products to remove caked-on dust from range hoods and air vents, use fresh dryer sheets. These dust-magnets will remove dust and grease without leaving chemical residue behind.
Need to clean the oven? Use soapy hot water to kill any germs
Don’t have a mop? Get on your hands and knees and scrub the floors with a cleaning solution or warm, soapy water.
Deep Clean Frequently Used Spaces Last
If you’re looking to get your full security deposit back from your landlord after moving out, you should clean the rooms you use most last, especially if you’ve been living in an old home.
Specifically, the night before move-out day, you should deep clean all bathrooms, bedrooms, and the kitchen. These rooms will be thoroughly inspected by your landlord after you move out, as they’ll want them spotless for the new tenant.
In all of these rooms, there should be a clean ceiling and clean walls. Also, don’t forget about the fixtures, furniture, and appliances.
Additionally, sweeping and mopping the floors can go a long way, especially if they’re made of hardwood or tile.
And when it comes to the kitchen, make sure the stove is clean inside and out.
Time-Saving Move-Out Cleaning Techniques
Pack Your Belongings Before Cleaning
It may take longer to clean if your belongings aren’t packed in advance. Not only will there be more clutter but you may end up cleaning items that could be cleaned when you’re doing move-in cleaning at your new place.
If your apartment building has a storage space for tenants, ask your landlord if you can temporarily store your packed belongings here while you work.
Note: Doing this will also show that you’re serious about getting your security deposit back.
Clean in Sections
When you need to clean your home, break rooms down into sections so no surface gets missed. This is what a deep cleaning service would do.
The easiest sections should be tackled first, as these won’t require much time and effort.
In a bathroom, for example, cabinets and drawers, the sink, the toilet, and small fixtures should be cleaned before the floor, baseboard, walls, ceiling, and shower.
Cleaning this way ensures you don’t use all your energy at once. If you do a thorough cleaning in the sections that need a lot of attention first, you may be burnt out when it’s time to tackle the rest, lengthening the overall process.
Speed Up Your Move-Out Cleaning Process
If your goal is to have cleaning go as quickly as possible, hire professional cleaners to get the job done right.
Especially if you’ve done regular cleaning over the past several months, it shouldn’t take longer than a few hours to clean the whole house. A good move-out cleaning company will have the expertise to make your home spotless.
Want to save some money? Work alongside the house cleaner you hire to ensure the house cleaning process only takes an hour or two.
Expert Advice: Timelines for Move-Out Cleaning
Your cleaning timeline will depend on the size of your home. That said, the sample timeline below should give you an idea of how long it’ll take to clean before moving out of your current home:
- Kitchen: 1-2 hours
- Bathrooms: 30-60 minutes
- Bedrooms: 30-60 minutes
- Living room: 30-60 minutes
- Dining room: 30 minutes
- Home office: 60 minutes
- Mud room: 20 minutes
- Laundry room: 30 minutes
Maximizing Efficiency in Move-Out Cleaning
When you have to clean an apartment before moving out, efficiency is key. You could take an hour or two if you approach move-out cleaning in a smart, methodical way.
Of course, the time it takes to get everything cleaned will depend on the size of your home. Generally, larger homes (3 bedrooms or more) take longer to clean than smaller ones.
Also, a team will always work much faster than a solo cleaner, so get help from a dependable move-out cleaning service if you’re pressed for time.
Finally, you can make cleaning more efficient by using reliable cleaning products and versatile cleaning tools.
Shortening the Duration of Move-Out Cleaning
Need to move out in a hurry? Wondering how long does it take to deep clean before moving out?
It should take about 4 hours to clean the house, but the actual time it takes can be reduced if you plan in advance, work smart, and hire a cleaning service to help.
Just make sure you don’t rush, as rushing may cause you to miss a spot or two.
Remember: If your landlord finds any dirty spots before a new tenant moves in, your deposit could be in jeopardy.
Fast and Thorough Move-Out Cleaning Methods
Before someone moves, they need to clean the space they’ve been living in so it’s fresh and sanitary for the next tenant.
But how long does move-out cleaning take? The answer here depends on a few factors, including the size of the home, the amount of furniture, and available manpower.
Hiring a maid service ensures the cleaning process gets handled quickly and thoroughly.
Similarly, decluttering before cleaning is essential if your goal is to save as much time as possible.
Final Thoughts
It usually takes 3-6 hours to get a whole house cleaned before move-out day.
To speed up the cleaning process, you need to plan and declutter before cleaning, clean rooms one at a time, use the right cleaning products, and get help from a professional move-out cleaning service.
