5 Areas People Forget to Clean When Moving Out

If you are moving out of a rental, you want to be sure that you cleaned everything properly. There are many ways that your landlord can claim a part of your deposit, and this is one of them. You might not be crazy about cleaning, but with a few tips, you may even surprise yourself. Pay attention to those areas people forget to clean to impress your landlord and move out worry-free.

Getting started with cleaning

Once you have removed all your furniture and personal items, you will have to do some proper cleaning. But think of it this way—it is much easier with less stuff in it. This way, you can finally clean those areas that your personal items were blocking. If you are exhausted and too disinterested in cleaning, do not sweat it; hire a cleaning service, and they will leave the place spick and span for you.

Windows and window blinds

Cleaning the windows can be quite an undertaking. However, it will certainly be noticed if not done properly or entirely neglected. Window blinds are particularly prone to collecting a lot of dirt. Whenever it rains, or the wind blows, all the outside impurities get stuck on the blinds. Depending on how many windows you have, you might need to dedicate a chunk of time to this. But once you see how much dirt you have removed, you will be happy that you have done it. You might need to take a few extra steps for streak-free windows, but the results will be amazing.

The kitchen is one of the areas people forget to clean

It may seem obvious, but sometimes we neglect lots of kitchen areas. We are just so used to seeing these areas but it rarely occurs to us to clean them. Some of them are:

• On top or underneath the fridge

You would be shocked by how much trash you can find under your fridge. Understandably so, you can’t move it around every time you clean. But now that you have emptied it, unplug it and move it from its corner. This way, you can properly vacuum and mop that area. A similar issue is with the top of the fridge. It is typically too high for most people to reach, and then we just forget about it. Figure out a way to get to it that is the safest for you and give it a good wipe with a wet cloth and a cleaning product.

• Inside the oven

No one likes cleaning the oven. It is tedious, claustrophobic, and always somehow impossible to reach. We feel your pain, but if you follow one simple trick, it will make your life so much easier. Prepare a baking soda paste by mixing it with water. Then apply this thick concoction all over the inside of the oven. Leave it overnight and clean the next day. All the dirt and oil will quickly come off.

• On top of range hoods

They are big, they are there, and they never get cleaned. Another one of those things that just seem obvious but simply does not register. Give your range hood a good scrub and clean, and the difference will be more than evident.

Behind the toilet

Well, we know what you are thinking. You barely tolerate cleaning the front of it; now you have to clean behind it? Sadly, this is the area that people forget to clean more often than not. It is usually difficult to reach and not very visible, so it is easy to overlook. However, there is good news. You will mostly have to deal with just collected dust, hair, and debris and disinfect. And make sure you close the lid of the toilet while cleaning down there—it will make the experience less unpleasant.

Light fixtures are another area people forget to clean

Yes, you do have those, and no, you are not the only one who forgets they exist. Because they are “up there,” we only go near them to change the lightbulbs. And with the new LED bulbs that basically never die, who can blame you for not remembering to clean your light fixtures. Get a ladder or safely climb on top of a chair and give those guys a good clean.

Shower curtain

If your bathroom came with a shower curtain, chances are you did not bother to clean it. You probably thought that it gets cleaned the same time you do. But because there is so much heat and water around them, they are a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. You will also use all sorts of products like shampoo and shower gel that will unnoticeably build up on the shower curtain. There are natural ways to get rid of the mold if your curtain has fallen victim to it. Most people also do not know that the majority of curtains are laundry washer-friendly. Chuck it in there for a good wash, and it will be as good as new.

Once you are done cleaning, get ready to relocate

Now that everything in your old place is squeaky clean, you can relax and focus on moving into your new home. If you are already exhausted and do not have anyone to help you move, hire professional local movers. They will make sure that you have a successful relocation. Your move will be a piece of cake for experts in this field, and it might cause you a lot of grief—and back pain—if you do it yourself. Have all your precious belongings delivered to your new doorstep unharmed.

A few extra tips for overachievers

Here are some more areas that people forget to clean when moving out. If you do not need to paint your walls but have a few stains here and there, use a damp cloth and some dish soap to lightly go over them. This way, you will also remove the cobwebs that are not always visible. You might want to clean the baseboards with a damp cloth. It will mostly be dust on it, but very visible if not cleaned. And finally, if you really want to go overboard, wipe down all the doorknobs and light switches.