Home Cleaning Services to Use When Moving

Planning to move? Make sure to leave the home spick-and-span for the new residents. If you’re a renter, you’ll need to clean the home in order to retain your security deposit. If you’re a seller, it’s simply customary (and polite) to leave the home clean for the buyers. Those moving to a new home may want to consider giving it a deep clean as well. Preferably, before moving all of the furniture and household items inside. So how should you go about cleaning the home? From home cleaning services to do-it-yourself cleaning, the decision over how to best clean your home often comes down to your budget, time, the size of your house and personal preferences. Here are a few suggestions for how to find professional home cleaning services as well as tips on how to clean the house yourself.

Professional cleaning service

So, should you hire a professional cleaning service to clean the home? It depends. If you have the money to do so, we recommend outsourcing the job to the pros – especially if the house is large with multiple floors. If you’re a renter, and your security deposit depends upon leaving the home in tip-top condition, then it may pay off to have a cleaning service do a thorough job. Additionally, if you’re busy with responsibilities (think: jobs, kids, etc), then you simply may not have time to clean the house yourself. In this case, we also recommend paying up for a professional home cleaning service. However, if you’re on a tight budget and/or have ample time to devote to cleaning the house, then a do-it-yourself cleaning could be the right call for you.

If you do decide to hire a professional cleaning service, here are several ways to go about finding the right cleaner for you.

Word of mouth

Online marketplace

How much do home cleaning services cost?

Rates for private housekeepers vary greatly depending on the services provided, the location of your home and the size of your home. Many housekeepers charge an extra fee for homes with stairs or multiple levels, as these can be more difficult to clean. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of a housekeeper is anywhere from $15 to $40 an hour. A thorough cleaning of a 2,000 square foot home should take around three to four hours to complete. Professional house cleaning services will likely cost more than private housekeepers. According to ThumbTack, “the national average cost of house cleaning is $25 to $50 per hour per cleaner.”

DIY home cleaning

Should you clean the home yourself? It depends on your budget and your availability. If you prefer to save money, and you have the time needed to clean the house, then by all means – go for it! In addition, if the home is a small apartment or condo (i.e. an easier, faster clean), this is even more reason to clean it yourself. However, if your home is large, and you simply don’t have the time to clean, then hiring professionals is the way to go. For those looking to take on a DIY deep clean of the home, here are a few cleaning tips.

  1. Make sure to have all the cleaning supplies ready to go. This includes an all-purpose cleaner, paper towels or cloths, sponges, a vacuum, mop or Swiffer, duster and bathroom cleaning equipment – among others.
  2. Clean overhead lighting, ceiling fans and other items that are up high first. Clean floors (and any items down below) last.
  3. Make sure to do a final sweep of the house while cleaning. Don’t forget to check cabinets, closets, the fridge and pantry for anything left behind.
  4. Bring lightbulbs with you to replace any that are no longer working. This will make the home appear tidy and well-kept. When changing out lightbulbs, try cleaning out any covered light fixtures as well.

Move-out cleaning checklist

Here’s a quick move-out cleaning checklist that you can either give to a housekeeper or use yourself when cleaning the home for the last time.

  • Remove personal property from the home
  • Clean all cabinets – both the inside and outside
  • Dust and wipe all surfaces
  • Wipe down appliances
  • Scrub and disinfect toilets, bathroom sinks and showers
  • Remove nails and wall anchors screwed into the wall
  • Patch over holes in the wall and repair any damaged drywall
  • Touch up any paint that has chipped or scratches on the wall
  • Clean and sanitize the fridge and freezer
  • Wipe down the stovetop and clean the oven
  • Wipe down baseboards
  • Scrub and clean the sinks
  • Mop the floors
  • Vacuum all flooring – including the stairs
  • Wipe down mirrors and clean glass windows

Moving soon?

To help make your upcoming move easier, we recommend hiring professionals to handle the heavy lifting. Fortunately, Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!