NBR: How much do you need to clean when moving out?

wifeofadam · May 2014

So, we're officially (finally) moving on Saturday. My house is basically empty except for parts of the kitchen, our mattresses, and some clothes. Now I'm focusing on cleaning.

We're selling to my ILs, so I don't want to leave the place a complete disaster. I plan to heavy duty clean all of the rooms for them. But how deep do I need to go? Do I need to clean our crumbs out of cabinets? I swept out the fireplace, so there is no ash, but do I need to get some soapy water and also wipe it out? Or are these things the responsibility of the buyer? Does it make a difference if you know the buyer?

Help me! I have enough work and cleaning to do at the place we're moving into, so I don't want to make unnecessary work for myself.

tamarar5 · May 2014

I would say yes to cleaning the crumbs out of the kitchen and no to the ashes in the fire place. I have always moved out to strangers. I have deep cleaned just short of repainting walls. I shampoo carpets, steam clean and essentially sterilize the bathrooms, wash baseboards/molding, vacuum everything.

djm31012 · May 2014

When we just moved I wiped down all of the shelves in the fridge and did a quick sweep out in the cabinets --
Not perfect just ran the dust buster in there . I also swept out the fire place but nothing beyond that . Then vacuumed everywhere and cleaned bathrooms / counter tops. I'd almost be inclined to say that fact that u know them id want to leave it cleaner so there is not an issue . Given that u are so busy already are you totally opposed to getting a cleaning service one time ? Maybe even say this is what I can pay u , just focus on x y and z?

jesuisfatiguee · May 2014

I would clean out the crumbs, but wouldn't bother scrubbing the fire place as long as it is swept. I also think an all-over dusting as well as cleaning the carpets and base-boards is a good idea.

wifeofadam · May 2014

Ugh. That's what I thought.

I would hire someone to do it, but FIL is moving in the same day I am moving out, so there isn't time for a cleaning person to come in and do their magic.

Who needs sleep, right?! :-S

Linds619 · May 2014

luxannie said:
Cleaners could be fast...do you have two hours where they could come in and clean while you're mostly moved out and early in the move-in process?

We're in the process of selling our home and "broom clean" is the phrase our agent uses too. Honestly, I'm sure whatever you decide will be good enough. Good luck!

wifeofadam · May 2014

I know what new toilet seats I'll be buying this weekend!!!

kbates85 · May 2014

@DC2London‌ those look amazing!

lbonga1 · May 2014

I've only lived in company-owned apartments, and I've given up on cleaning them when I move out. They always charge me the cleaning fee and for replacement carpeting, even if I steam clean and spend hours cleaning everything from the blinds to the floorboards. If I were moving out of a house though, I would clean it to the level I would want it if I were moving in. I probably wouldn't want to move all my stuff into a place and immediately feel like I need to scrub a toilet or something.

wifeofadam · May 2014

That's the thing - everyone I know cleans when they move in anyways, and I know MIL will do it, too. So really, I'm only cleaning just so she can reclean.

I mean, I'm deep cleaning the place I'm moving into. I can't imagine just moving in without cleaning anything and just assuming the people before me did an adequate job.

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NBR: How much do you need to clean when moving out?

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