June 17, 2022 by Mulberry Maids
Getting your home ready to move out of is not always the easiest task, especially if you haven’t been as diligent about cleaning through the years as you would have liked. Aside from the normal areas to clean in your home, the little details will be really important to really transform your home into something new again for new owners or tenants.Â
As one of the top move out cleaning services in Fort Collins, we are here to tell you all about the forgotten areas that people typically miss when performing a move out cleaning. With these tips, you’ll be on the right track to getting your home looking perfect for the new occupants.Â
Read on for more information!
What are some of the commonly missed areas in a move out cleaning?
Whether you are getting ready to stage your home to put it for sale or moving out of your rental unit, performing a comprehensive move out style cleaning is paramount to get the home back in shape. While we have talked a great deal about what a move out cleaning consists of, today we will expand into some of the often forgotten areas that may get overlooked when performing your cleaning.Â
Below is a list of some of the areas that you may need to focus on in order to truly get your home shining again!
Tile grout
If your home has any tile grout, whether it is in the bathroom, or is part of your kitchen backsplash, grout cleaning is important to really make a home shine again. Although it is not a difficult task, it can be time consuming depending on how much grout you have throughout your home, and what kind of shape it is in.Â
A good way to tackle cleaning your tile grout is to perform it separately from your full cleaning. This can be taken care of in the couple weeks leading up to your move out, as long as you are careful to not develop any additional stains. Using vinegar and baking soda is typically sufficient, along with a grout brush, or other stiff bristled non-scratching nylon brush. It is best to steer clear of wire and metal brushes, as they can damage the grout. Trying to add on a grout cleaning at the same time as your comprehensive home cleaning may add significant time and energy to the cleaning, and will likely detract from the overall quality of your cleaning.Â
Tops of shelves and cabinets
The tops of shelves and cabinets can be a really dirty place that needs to be thoroughly cleaned when getting your home ready for new occupants. Make sure to pay special attention to the tops of cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom, as they can collect lots of dust and debris that usually get neglected during routine cleanings. In each location, but especially in the kitchen, you may need to use a degreaser to really work at getting up all the dust and grime, as it can get caked on from grease splatter. Always make sure to be careful using strong products on cabinets, as to not damage the exterior surface.Â
Dishwasher and other appliances
The dishwasher and other household appliances that will be staying in the home can be surprisingly dirty, and should always be thoroughly cleaned. Vinegar and natural products are a good go to solution for these areas, as they are non-toxic and pack lots of cleaning power in areas where clean dishes and food will be stored. A pro tip for cleaning your microwave involves using water and vinegar. Simply microwave the mixture in a bowl to create steam, and then use the hot steam to wipe out the interior.Â
Window and sliding door tracks
While most people will clean the window and sliding door glass, the tracks are often missed. They can be challenging to clean, but will really brighten up a room! There are multiple ways to tackle the tracks, and it can depend on the condition of them. Sometimes there will be lots of debris and dirt in the tracks from the outside, that can be best to vacuum up first. If you have a powerful handheld vacuum, or a handheld wand attached to your regular vacuum cleaner, it is best to try to vacuum up as much debris as possible.Â
You can then use a microfiber cloth (or paper towel if it is still really dirty) to start scrubbing away what is left. For a really dirty track, using a paper towel and an all purpose cleaner may be your best bet initially, as the paper towel will get very dirty and can be thrown out. Using a microfiber cloth initially may ruin it. Once the track is a little better, you can follow up with more all purpose solution and your microfiber cloth to get it into better shape. A magic eraser product may also help to get the tracks shining again.Â
In addition to window and door tracks, shower door tracks should not be forgotten either. You can follow a similar process as above, although you will likely be dealing with soap scum rather than debris in the shower.Â
Underneath appliances, cabinets and shelves
Looking and cleaning underneath anything in the home is really important for a comprehensive cleaning. While it can be difficult to get things moved (and is best with a partner), there will likely be lots of dust, debris, trash and other grime to clean up.Â
Light switches and outlet covers
Cleaning light switches and outlet covers can be the icing on the cake to complete a perfect home cleaning! The difference between a smudged up light switch and a clean white cover is huge, and will really make your home stand out. You can either use a microfiber cloth with an all purpose solution, or you can sanitize the switches and covers for new occupants, as they are high touch areas.Â
Many store bought disinfectant sprays act as both a sanitizing disinfectant and an all purpose solution. It is best to read the instructions thoroughly, but generally you will want to spray the surface, and let the disinfectant sit for up to a minute to work. Then you can wipe it away. If the surface is still dirty, you can use an all purpose spray to continue to work on it, or simply use a homemade vinegar and water mixture.Â
Blinds and curtains
Blinds and curtains that will be staying in the home should receive a thorough cleaning, especially if there were pets in the home. Dust, dander, and pet hair can cake blinds and curtains. Take you time to clean these areas, as it can be a bit tedious. For blinds, you will want to use an all purpose solution with a microfiber cloth, spraying and wiping each individual blind. For curtains, you may be able to take them off and wash them in a washing machine. Even if this is the case, you may want to try to vacuum them as well, as long as it is safe for the curtain material that you have.Â
While you are cleaning these areas, it is also a good time to take a look at the window sills and frames to make sure they are not missed.
Move out cleaning services in Fort Collins that will transform your home!
Mulberry Maids are here for all your move out and move in cleaning needs! Our comprehensive moving cleaning package tackles all of the areas of your home so it is in great shape for whoever is moving in!Â
If you are not up for the challenge of performing your move out cleaning, give us a call today! Spend an afternoon at Arapaho Bend natural area, instead of stressing about getting your home back into shape! You have enough on your plate already when moving.Â
Reach out to us today to schedule your cleaning, or visit us online to book your cleaning in just a couple minutes on our easy to use online booking page! Thanks for reading, and hope to hear from you soon!