Packing up and moving out of a home in Southern California is hectic. Choosing which of your favorite belongings (such as your coveted coffee mug) to leave behind and coordinating movers is just a taste of the burden that comes with the location. Because of all of this, many renters and homeowners take the burden off their movers by opting not to hire professional cleaners and telling themselves, “I’ll just handle the cleaning myself.”
This thought process makes sense, but cleaning for a move-out is different from thorough inspection cleaning.
In many cases, it is worth it to hire a professional cleaning service to vacuum away your worries about losing that security deposit or not getting fees for failing to leave a property up to a certain standard for the new tenants passing through.
Move-out Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning
A standard cleaning and cleaning at the end of a tenancy are very different.
Regular cleaning services are about maintaining an occupied home. They focus on vacuuming and counter and bathroom cleaning.
When checking the condition of a property after a tenant vacates, the property manager does a thorough inspection.
Some things the property manager looks for are:
- Dust on the baseboard
- Old grease on the wall behind the stove
- Soap scum in shower corners
- Fingerprints on doors and light switches
- Dust in the cabinet and drawer
- Dirt in the window tracks
- Mirrors and glass are smudged
- Spills and odors from the refrigerator
You can’t just mop and spray some all-purpose cleaner for that level of detail. Specialized cleaning methods are required.
Reasons DIY Move-Out Cleaning is Usually a Bad Idea
Underestimating the Time Commitment
Many people think cleaning an entire empty apartment will take a few hours.
Unfortunately, that’s far from the truth. The reality is that cleaning an apartment totally empty takes:
- 4-6 hours for a small apartment
- 6-10 hours for a large apartment
- 1+ Day(s) for a typical single-family home
And that’s assuming you have the supplies and a solid plan already.
After dealing with the logistics of a move such as packing and carrying all the furniture, the average person doesn’t have the energy to deep clean. As a result, they don’t clean thoroughly.
That’s one of the reasons so many people hire a move out cleaning service. It removes the burden for you.
2. DIY Cleaning Fails to Address Inspection “Hot Spots”
Professionals doing cleaning know where exactly inspectors tend to look.
DIY cleaning usually focuses on relatively easily seen surfaces. However problem areas such as the following are often missed.
Ceiling fans, air vents, door frames, behind toilets, under appliances, cabinet tops, closet shelving, light fixtures, window sills, and moldings and trims.
Neglecting the spaces listed above is often why deposits get deducted.
Professional one time cleaning services generally have checklists for conducting specific turnover inspections.
3. Store-Bought Products Don’t Always Cut It
Homes in Southern California have a variety of different tough to clean messes that include:
- Hard Water Stains
- Bathroom Mineral Build-Up
- Kitchen Grease Build-Up
- Dust (from Dry Conditions)
- Pet Hair Stuck in Carpets
Basic household cleaners are very helpful when tackling light messes. Some forms of buildup that are hard to remove may require professional-grade products as well as a proven cleaning method.
The wrong product may suck up your time, but you’ll be left with dirty surfaces.
4. Carpet and Floor Issues Are Often Disregarded
Giving the illusion of clean floors isn’t good enough.
Common DIY mistakes include:
- Not vacuuming corners
- Not removing obvious stains
- Applying excess water to wood and laminate
- Not noticing grout stains
- Ignoring residue throughout the kitchen
A lot of cleaning services have cleaning for floors that goes above the normal vacuuming.
5. Appliances Require More Attention
Landlords will definitely be looking inside the appliances.
Not just the obvious surfaces check. They look inside:
- Ovens
- Stoves
- Hoods
- Microwaves
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Dishwashers
DIYers will usually clean the exterior and figure it is good to go.
Moving out cleaning services understand that appliances will be a huge focus.
6. Stress Cause Work to be Rushed
Moving is time consuming
There is a lot going on when moving. You have to book the movers, turn in your old keys, schedule when the utilities will be turned off, all while keeping track of your things. You have to clean your old home while doing all of this and it becomes a low priority. Rushed cleaning usually means not cleaning: Some rooms, the dust that has built up, the bathrooms, and the kitchen. Not having to worry about cleaning (hiring a maid service San Diego residents trust) is a big help when moving.
Moving In and Out Requires a Different Type of Cleaning
Professional move-in or move-out cleaning is its own unique service for a reason.
This type of cleaning is not regular maintenance cleaning.
This type of cleaning is also not routine cleaning. In fact, this type of cleaning prepares a home to help a new occupant feel like they have a new home.
This type of cleaning also includes:
Cleaning the insides of cabinets and appliances, cleaning all of the bathrooms, dusting, cleaning the floors and walls, and so much more. A weekly cleaning service will most likely not be doing all of this cleaning unless you request it.
DIY vs Professional Move-Out Cleaning
| DIY Cleaning | Professional Cleaning |
| Time-consuming | Time-saving |
| Easy to miss details | Inspection-focused checklists |
| Basic products | Professional-grade tools |
| Physically exhausting | Fully handled for you |
| Higher chance of deposit deductions | Better chance of passing inspection |
When You Should Use a One-Time Cleaning Service
You should consider a one time cleaning service when:
- You have moved from a rental property
- You are selling your home
- You have new tenants
- You need a one time deep clean
- You need high quality results with no recurring service
This is a great option for many households throughout Southern California. Call Green Frog Cleaning today!
Final Thoughts
Cleaning on your own might seem like it saves money, but doing it yourself might get you an inspection that costs you part of your deposit or causes other problems that delay your move.
Professional move out cleaning services are designed specifically with landlords, property managers, and buyers in mind.
Hiring a professional service to help cleaning might actually be the best decision. You will ensure you will get your deposit back, reduce possible stress, and potentially past the inspection the first time.
After a long, tiring move from Southern California, the last thing anyone should deal with is cleaning before getting the opportunity to leave.
FAQ’s
What is included when moving out of cleaning services?
Typically, services for cleaning after moving out will deep clean areas that landlords check. For instance, kitchens, bathrooms, floors, and appliances. Also, baseboards, cabinets, and other areas.
What is the main similarity and difference with moving out cleaning and normal house cleaning services?
With cleaning services for moving out, the main difference is the level of detail and depth for the cleaning. The cleaning is more thorough to prepare the house for an inspection or for new tenants.
Will hiring a cleaning service help me get my deposit back?
There is no guarantee for getting the deposit back, but getting a cleaning service will help for the chances since they clean the areas landlords check the most.
How much time is the cleaning for moving out?
The moving out cleaning can take a few hours or up to a full day. This depends heavily on the size of the house and the condition it is in.
Are same day services a standard offer for cleaning out services in San Diego?
Cleaning out services in San Diego do offer cleaning services for the same day or the day after cleaning, this is based on the availability of the service.
