Final cleaning
As your tenancy is becoming to an end, it is time for a proper final cleaning. When the final cleaning is done, the surfaces of the apartment are clean of dirt and stains. The next tenant will be happy move in to a clean new apartment!
Things to remember:
- If you live in a shared apartment, familiarize yourself with the final cleaning instructions for shared apartments.
- Start early. You have time to clean the apartment until you return your keys, or your tenancy ends.
- Many larger targets can be taken care of beforehand. For example, windows or air vents won’t collect dirt in a few weeks so you can get them done well before your moving day. When you are finishing the final cleaning, it will be easy to wipe away the dust from the last few days!
- While you pack up your things, clean cabinets and shelves as they get emptied.
- Clean the floors and walls is easier after majority of your stuff is gone or packed and the apartment is relatively empty.
- Use apartment inspections to your advantage, and take care of the targets mentioned on the requests.
- If you fail to do the final cleaning or it has been done carelessly, we will order a cleaning into the apartment. The costs of cleaning will be charged from you.
- 🍀 Remember to sort your waste from moving and cleaning as well. Large items or furniture should not be left at the property’s waste disposal area.
Final cleaning: To-do list
- Vacuum and mop the floors.
- Wipe the moldings.
- Wash away stains from walls, light switches, doors, and handles.
- Empty all cabinets and clean them inside and out. Wipe also the doors and handles, and don’t forget the top of the cabinet!
- Wash windows (instructions). If the weather is below zero celsius, wash only the inside surface. Wipe also the frame and windowsill.
- Dust behind and between the radiator, and wipe clean the outer surface.
- Clean air vents (instructions).
Kitchen
- Wash sinks and faucet.
- Empty cabinets and clean the inside and outside.
- Clean the counters and tiles. Remember the seams!
- Wash the trash cabinet and all garbage bins.
- Wash oven, the rack and trays.
- Wash the bottom drawer under the oven.
- Pull the oven out and wipe clean from sides and behind.
- Wash the floor and walls under and behind the stove.
- Wash stove, handles, and controls.
- Clean cooker hood and filter (instructions).
- Wipe the fridge clean from inside and outside
- Defrost the freezer (instructions) and wipe the unfrozen, empty freezer clean.
Bathroom and toilet
- Wash the sink – remember also the underside!
- Wash mirror and cabinet/shelve above sink.
- Wash faucets and remove any limescale.
- Clean shower head, hose and soap tray.
- Clean the shower wall.
- Wash toilet inside and outside. Remember all the layers of the seat! Clean also the water inlet edge and the leg of the toilet.
- Clean the walls and floor. Remember tile seams! If there is red mold, disinfectant cleaner and rubbing helps.
- Wipe the ceiling if needed.
- Clean out the floor drain (instructions).
Balcony and storage locker
- Empty all your things.
- Sweep away loose debris.
Final cleaning in shared apartment
The final cleaning for a shared apartment includes thoroughly cleaning your own room and cleaning the shared areas of the apartment together with your roommates. Even if your roommates continue living in the apartment after your move, the goal is to ensure that the new tenant can move into a clean apartment.
Roommates and agreeing on cleaning
It’s a good idea to inform your roommates about your move and start discussing the final cleaning arrangements as soon as you terminate your tenancy agreement.
- Plan the cleaning of the shared areas of the apartment well in advance so that your roommates have enough time to participate in the final cleaning.
- Let your roommates know when your tenancy agreement ends, as you have until that date to get the apartment ready and clean for the new tenant.
Apartment inspection
When a tenant moves out of a shared apartment, an apartment inspection is always carried out. During the inspection, you may receive cleaning or repair requests that are useful for your final cleaning. Make sure to share any instructions you receive during the inspection with your roommates.
If the tasks mentioned in the instructions are not completed by the end of your tenancy agreement, the necessary work will be ordered for the apartment. The cost of these tasks will be evenly split between you and the other tenants of the shared apartment.
Final cleaning in your own room
- Vacuum.
- Wash the floors and wipe the baseboards.
- Clean stains and marks from walls, light switches, doors, and door handles.
- Empty the cabinets and clean all interior and exterior surfaces. Wipe the doors, handles, and the top of the cabinets.
- Wash the windows (instructions). If it’s freezing outside, clean only the interior surface. Also, wipe the frames and windowsill.
- Remove dust from behind and between the radiator panels and wipe the outer surface of the radiator.
- Clean the ventilation vent.
Final cleaning in shared spaces
- Vacuum.
- Wash the floors and wipe the baseboards.
- Clean stains and marks from walls, light switches, doors, and door handles.
- Empty the cabinets and clean all interior and exterior surfaces. Wipe the doors, handles, and the top of the cabinets.
- Wash the windows (instructions). If it’s freezing outside, clean only the interior surface. Also, wipe the frames and windowsill.
- Remove dust from behind and between the radiator panels and wipe the outer surface of the radiator.
- Clean the ventilation vent (instructions).
Kitchen
- Clean the sink and faucet thoroughly.
- Empty and clean the cupboards inside and out.
- Clean the counter tops and tiles, including the grout.
- Clean the trash cupboard and waste bins.
- Wash the oven and clean the oven racks and baking trays.
- Clean the lower drawer of the oven.
- Pull the oven out of its niche and wipe it clean on all sides.
- Clean the floor and walls behind and underneath the oven.
- Clean the stove, knobs, and handles.
- Clean the range hood and wash the range hood or filter (instructions).
- Clean the refrigerator inside and out.
- Defrost the freezer (instructions) and clean the defrosted, empty freezer.
Bathroom
- Wash the sink, including the underside of the basin.
- Clean the mirror and mirror cabinet.
- Clean the faucets and remove any limescale.
- Clean the shower head, shower hose, and soap holder.
- Clean the shower screen.
- Wash the toilet inside and out. Remember to clean all layers of the toilet seat! Also, clean under the water inlet rim and the base of the toilet.
- Wash the walls and floor, including the grout. Use a disinfectant cleaner and scrub thoroughly to remove red mold.
- Wipe the bathroom ceiling if necessary.
- Clean the floor drain (instructions).