What is the Difference Between Deep Cleaning and a Move-out Cleaning? 

As a business owner of a cleaning company, you will come across different situations.  Knowing the difference between a deep clean and a move-out clean is something that you will need to know to better serve your clients. 

Deep cleaning is getting every little nook and cranny, areas you wouldn’t normally think of to clean.  A move-out clean is when the apartment or house you are leaving is cleaned thoroughly. 

In the paragraphs to follow, I will break down the difference between deep cleaning and a move-out. I will also give you an example of each to help you to better understand the difference between the two.

Deep Cleaning

When I hear the phrase deep cleaning, I think of spring cleaning.  When I was a child, twice a year, my family would get together and seriously deep clean.  We would wipe down walls, doors, sinks, the tub, and the shower.  We would get a steam cleaner or rug doctor and we would clean the carpets as well.

A deep clean is going through your house and seriously focusing on the things you do not do daily.  For example, how often do you get the cobwebs from out the top corner of your ceiling?

If you are like me, you probably just do not think about it due to how fast and crazy life is these days.  Let’s talk about ceiling fans, this is one of those things that tends to gain a ton of dust due to it being just not thought of when doing a quick tidy up during the day. 

Another place you may decide to clean when you are performing a deep clean is in the kitchen.  Many times, I know I am guilty of this, we will just wipe down the countertops, the stove, and the fridge.  But how often do you clean the inside of the oven or the inside of your fridge?

I mean, take the fridge apart and clean it inside and out.  I clean food containers once a week and wipe down the shelves once or twice a week in my fridge.  However, I will only seriously take all the shelves and drawers out of the fridge and clean them every six months or so. 

Carpet cleaning is a huge task when you are conducting a deep clean.  Steam vacuums such as a rug doctor are usually what is used when cleaning carpets.  Steam cleaners are known for getting the dirt and bacteria that settle to the bottom of the carpet.  There are many different products that you can use to clean carpets. Depending on your household needs, you may look for child-safe, pet-safe, or even chemical-free carpet cleaning products. 

When performing a deep cleaning, some people like to move furniture and appliances from the walls to make sure that nothing is lingering. Moving furniture and appliances allows you to clean areas that you are not able to get daily.

Check out this article to know what does special cleaning in housekeeping means.

Move-Out Cleaning

Moving out can be very stressful.  Especially if you are a renter and you are wanting to be sure everything is top-notch to get your deposit refunded.

On top of trying to make sure that you do not forget anything in the place you are moving out of, you have to remember to do a serious cleaning. A move-out cleaning will consist of a deep clean, plus a few extras. 

Here is an example of what you may clean when you move out of a home.  Just a few months ago, we moved out of a two-bedroom apartment into a four-bedroom house.  After we were able to get all of our belongings out of the apartment, we did a very thorough cleaning. 

This cleaning consisted of the normal cleaning of the bathroom, the kitchen, vacuuming the floors, and mopping the floors.  However, we took one step further.  We made sure that the appliances were so clean they almost looked brand new.  Once everything was out of the cabinets, we took some disinfectant multipurpose cleaner and wiped down the inside of the cabinets and drawers. 

Another part of a move-out clean is making sure that any damage that was done to the property is fixed or looks almost as if no one lived there when you move out.  This is accomplished by taking all the nails out of the wall and filling those holes with putty.  Something else that may be needed is to paint the walls and/or doors and even replace any blinds that may have been damaged during the time you were living in that house.

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Summary

Deep cleaning and move-out cleaning are similar.  However, deep cleaning consists of things you may not do in your home on a normal basis.  Some of these things include using a steam vacuum, cleaning slim or grit off of showerheads and sinks, thoroughly cleaning a sink, and/or pulling things from the walls. 

A move-out cleaning will include those same activities of a deep clean, but also a few extra things.  Things you may and/or should do when moving out, are not only to clean every part of the apartment or house but also to make sure every nail is out of the wall or even paint the walls and/or doors if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

When moving out, is it best to do all the cleaning yourself or hire cleaning professionals?

As long as the property is cleaned to the standard of the landlord or rental company, you can do the cleaning yourself.  However, if you do not have a lot of time on your hands, it may be best to hire cleaning professionals. 

When deep cleaning, what is the best method for cleaning carpet?

When it comes to carpet cleaning, there is no “best carpet cleaning method”.  There are many different types of carpet, so it is recommended to research what kind of carpet you have and what type of cleaning will work best.

Is deep cleaning sufficient for moving out, or do I need a move-out cleaning?

Deep cleaning is beneficial for regular maintenance, but if you’re moving out, a move-out cleaning is recommended. Move-out cleaning not only deeply cleans but also prepares the space for the next tenants by addressing any wear and tear, minor fixes, and ensuring a polished appearance.

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