Move-Out Cleaning Secrets: How to Actually Get Your Deposit Back (From Cleaners Who Know Landlord Tricks)
Hey there, soon-to-be-moving warrior! 🏡✌️ Let’s be real – between packing, stressing, and wondering how you acquired so much junk, the last thing you wanna do is scrub for your deposit. But here’s the tea: landlords love finding reasons to keep that cash. At Squeaky Home Clean, we’ve done hundreds of move-out cleans (and heard all the horror stories), so here’s how to outsmart ‘em.
1. Landlord’s Favorite Deposit-Stealing Spots (And How to Beat ‘Em)
✔ The Oven:
Their trick: “Excessive grease” = $50 charge
Your move: Degreaser + razor blade for that blackened gunk (yes, that corner too)
✔ Blinds:
Their trick: “Dust buildup” = $20 per window
Your move: Sock over your hand + all-purpose spray = 2-minute wipe
✔ Behind the Fridge:
Their trick: “Biohazard-level crumbs” = $75 “hazard removal”
Your move: Pull it out (find that missing tortilla chip from 2021)
2. The "They’ll Never Notice" Spots (Spoiler: They ALWAYS Do)
🚫 Light fixtures (landlords always look up)
🚫 Baseboards (dust = “evidence of poor maintenance”)
🚫 Inside cabinets (sticky shelves = “requires professional treatment”)
Pro tip: Use your phone flashlight sideways – reveals every speck landlords will charge for.
3. Our Move-Out Clean Checklist (Steal This!)
✅ Floors: Vacuum then mop (no dusty streaks)
✅ Walls: Magic eraser for scuffs (test in closet first)
✅ Bathroom: Bleach grout, descale showerhead
✅ Kitchen: Remove fridge shelves, degrease vent hood
✅ Extras: Replace air filter, lightbulbs
“But that’s too much work!” → [Book our move-out special] and nap while we handle it.
4. Why Our Clients Get 93% of Deposits Back
✔ We know landlord loopholes (that “professional cleaning required” clause? We qualify)
✔ Time-stamped photos (take that, “it was already dirty” claims)
✔ Checklist signed by property managers (no take-backsies)
5. When DIY Goes Wrong (True Stories)
“I used vinegar… now my floors are sticky” (Wrong ratio)
“The magic eraser took off paint!” (RIP security deposit)
“I forgot the vents… $200 charge” (Classic)
The Bottom Line
Landlords bank on you being tired. Don’t let ‘em win! Either:
Follow our checklist to the letter (good luck), or
Let us do it right the first time ([Get your deposit back guarantee])
P.S. That “mystery stain” under the couch? We’ve seen worse. 😉
