Cleaning Checklists Save Hundreds of Dollars When Moving Apartments

Use a printable cleaning checklist to make cleaning your apartment easy and complete - you'll remove stress from the apartment moving process and, better yet, save hundreds in potential cleaning fees from your landlord.
EDITOR: Here is a good printable apartment move checklist

Let's face it, moving apartments is a pain. I hope you're moving to a better apartment that's nicer, bigger and less expensive! But whatever the reason for your move, plan ahead and make sure you don't incur costly cleaning deposit forfeitures because you didn't leave your apartment in the same 'move in' condition you found it.

It's not hard to clean your apartment.

First, start off with a great list. You can Google on 'cleaning checklist', 'printable cleaning checklist', or 'rental cleaning checklist', ' or see the end of this article for a link to my favorite free printable cleaning list. Find a cleaning checklist you like and print it out. Use it religiously.

Second, review the list before your move. Sit down a week before your move and go through the list. If you picked a great list it'll be very complete. But still, ask yourself, is there anything missing from the list? Make some notes. Your apartment probably has its quirks that need attending to. Note them down.

Third, acquire your supplies & best possible implements. Ideally, at the same time you're annotating your list, do an inventory of your cleaning supplies and figure out what you're missing. Go get it. Think for a moment about what items will speed your task and improve the results and see if you can borrow them. For instance, borrow a powerful vacuum cleaner, two big buckets, a superior mop and a great window squeegee.

Fourth, clean an empty apartment. Allow a full day for cleaning after your move out. In arranging your move day and end-of-lease notice with your landlord, be sure to allow time for cleaning after you've completed the move and your apartment is 100% empty. Nothing is harder than cleaning an apartment that's filled with junk and packing boxes. Nothing is easier than cleaning one that is completely empty.

Fifth, Invite some friends. Nothing speeds cleaning like having a few extra helping hands. Invite Joe and Henry over for beers at the bar this Saturday - after they spend an hour or two helping you blitzkrieg clean your apartment.

Six, follow the 'top down' cleaning rule. If you clean high spots first, and the floor last, then any dust and dirt that falls will not soil and already cleaned floor. Start high - tops of windows, drapes, cobwebs in ceiling corners, and work your way down to counter tops, appliances and dusting. Do the floors last.

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