Most move-out cleaning problems are not about effort. They come from doing things in the wrong order, forgetting places nobody uses, or assuming instead of checking. These are the mistakes worth avoiding.
1. Cleaning before everything is out
Cleaning around boxes means cleaning twice. Furniture hides dust lines on skirting boards and marks on the floor, and anything left in a cupboard stops it being cleaned inside. Move out completely, then clean.
2. Turning off the power or water too early
Ovens, vacuums, hot water and carpet machines all need power and water. Arrange for the utilities to be disconnected after the clean, not on moving day.
3. Forgetting the inside of things
Inspections look inside: the oven, the rangehood filters, the dishwasher filter, cupboards, drawers, wardrobes and the pantry. These are the places people skip when they are tired.
4. Missing the places nobody looks at day to day
- Window tracks and sills
- The tops of door frames and skirting boards
- Light switches and power points
- Behind and beside where the fridge and washing machine stood
- The exhaust fan cover in the bathroom
5. Using the wrong product on the wrong surface
Abrasive cleaners can scratch stone benches, stainless steel and glass cooktops, and heavy scrubbing on painted walls can leave a shiny patch that looks worse than the mark. When in doubt, use the gentlest product first, and ask your agent before scrubbing walls.
6. Ignoring the entry condition report
The report is the standard the property is compared against. Read it before you start; a mark that was there when you moved in is recorded, and you are not expected to leave the property cleaner than you found it.
7. Leaving no time before the handover
Carpets need time to dry, and if something is noticed on a final walk-through, you want time to deal with it. Allow a buffer between the clean and returning the keys — a seven-day moving out timeline shows one way to plan it.
8. Not taking photos
Dated photos of every room after the clean, plus receipts for any cleaning you paid for, make any later conversation simple.
9. Comparing quotes that cover different jobs
A cheaper quote that excludes the oven, the inside of cupboards or window tracks is not cheaper. Ask the same questions of every cleaner before you choose.
10. Waiting to raise an issue
If your agent mentions a cleaning item after the inspection, ask for the specific area in writing and pass it to your cleaner straight away. Quick, specific feedback is the easiest kind to act on.
The end of lease cleaning checklist covers every room. If you would rather hand it over, our end of lease cleaning starts at $319 + GST for a one-bedroom apartment.
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Sources
Rules change. Check the official source for your situation; this guide is general information, not legal advice.