Moving out of an apartment means more than packing your boxes. Before you hand over the keys, you need to make sure you haven’t left furniture, junk, or personal belongings behind, as leaving behind unwanted items can sometimes cost you getting back your full security deposit or result in other fees.
Use this apartment cleanout checklist to work through your rental room by room.
Apartment Moving Cleanout Checklist
✓ Clean Out the Kitchen
The kitchen can have more leftover items than you expect.
- Empty the refrigerator and freezer
- Remove food from cabinets and pantry
- Check drawers for utensils and miscellaneous items
- Remove unwanted small appliances
- Dispose of trash and recycling
- Check the dishwasher and oven
✓ Clear Out the Bathroom
Don’t forget the bathroom when you’re packing.
- Empty medicine cabinets
- Check underneath the sink
- Remove toiletries and personal items
- Take out bathroom trash
- Remove shelving or other belongings you brought in
✓ Remove Furniture and Large Items
If you’re not taking everything to your new living space, make arrangements to have large, unwanted items removed.
- Couches and chairs
- Beds and bed frames
- Mattresses
- Dressers and tables
- Shelving and cabinets
- Unwanted appliances
- Other bulky household items
✓ Check Storage Areas
If your apartment includes additional storage, make sure it isn’t forgotten.
- Basement
- Garage
- Attic
- Storage closet
- Outdoor storage
- Balcony or patio
✓ Check Every Room
Don’t call it a cleanout job well done until you’ve walked through the whole apartment.
- Look in the closets and at clothing racks
- Empty cabinets and dressers or wardrobes
- Look behind doors and under furniture
- Search under beds and other large pieces of furniture
- Strip everything from shelves
- Check on windowsills and other out-of-the-way places
✓ Final Walkthrough and Clean Up
Once you’ve completed the rooms, do your final tour and tidy up. Be sure not to just clear out your items, but to actually clean the space, too.
- Wipe down countertops, shelves, and window sills
- Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors
- Remove any last bits of trash
Before you move, check your lease agreement or with your leasing office for any other special apartment cleanout guidelines.
Need Help With Your Apartment Cleanout Before a Move? Contact Us
You don’t have to haul unwanted furniture and junk yourself. One Call Clean Out provides apartment cleanouts for renters who need help getting a rental unit completely cleared out before moving. If you have furniture, household junk, or other unwanted items that need to go, contact One Call Clean Out today to schedule your apartment cleanout.