When moving house, attention is usually focused on the new apartment from the outset. However, the previous apartment must be handed over in good condition so that it can be quickly and easily re-let – professional apartment cleaning can be considered as an option for the final cleaning.
Since there are many things to think about during a move, it’s all the more welcome if the final cleaning doesn’t take up too much time. But what exactly is needed, and is it worth outsourcing these tasks? For a stress-free final cleaning, it’s recommended to plan for up to two days.
What is a final cleaning?
The final cleaning always takes place when an existing tenancy ends. It forms the basis for fulfilling the handover protocol so that mutual claims by the tenant and landlord are excluded.
Professional final cleaning services offer high performance and quality to meet the requirements for apartment handover.
How clean it must look after the final cleaning depends on the condition in which you took over the flat at the beginning of the tenancy. The same condition also applies to the time of handover at the end of the tenancy.
In contrast to many other countries, Switzerland has strict requirements for final cleaning. The flat must therefore generally be immaculately clean, as it is usually marketed accordingly and taken over at the beginning.
Preparing for move-out cleaning
Thorough preparation is essential for a successful move-out cleaning and a smooth handover of the apartment. Before the final cleaning begins, it’s advisable to conduct a joint inspection of the apartment with the landlord. This allows both tenants and landlords to identify any potential dirt or defects in the various areas of the apartment beforehand. A detailed checklist helps ensure that no room or corner is overlooked – from the kitchen and bathroom to all living areas and utility rooms.
For the final cleaning, all necessary cleaning supplies and equipment should be organized in advance. Hiring a professional cleaning company like Clean Service Scaramuzzo AG offers the advantage of having them bring all the necessary materials and tailoring their services to the specific requirements of each apartment. This ensures that the move-out cleaning is carried out efficiently and thoroughly, leaving the apartment in perfect condition upon handover.
Organization and coordination
Professional organization and coordination of the move-out cleaning is crucial to making the entire process as stress-free as possible. Working with an experienced cleaning company like Clean Service Scaramuzzo AG offers numerous advantages: from scheduling an appointment and inspecting the apartment to creating a customized checklist, every step is meticulously planned. Coordination with the landlord or property management company ensures that all requirements for the apartment handover are clearly defined.
The cleaning company also takes care of providing and using the appropriate cleaning products and equipment. Progress is monitored during the cleaning process to ensure that all agreed-upon services are reliably delivered. This way, tenants can be confident that the move-out cleaning is completed on time and to the highest standards – and that the apartment handover proceeds without any unpleasant surprises.
Which areas are included in the final cleaning?
During a final cleaning, all areas of the rented apartment or property must be cleaned. We have compiled a brief overview of the most important cleaning points that should be on your personal cleaning list . The most important aspects of a final cleaning should be recorded in a clear checklist. You can find an example of such a checklist below.
- Kitchen: Cleaning the kitchen includes the floor, cabinets, and appliances. If you moved into a fully equipped kitchen, it must be left impeccably clean. Since a lot of cooking takes place in the kitchen (depending on usage), this can be very time-consuming. This is especially true for removing stubborn grease residue, which tends to accumulate on kitchen cabinets. Bathrooms and kitchens generally require additional time for final cleaning.
- Bathroom: The bathroom is the next challenge, as there is often a lot to do here. Cleaning is not just limited to a superficial wipe down of all surfaces. Rather, all fittings need to be descaled. The cleaning operation also includes drains, which need to be cleared of hair, and the toilet, which must be free of urine scale. As damp and mold are a major problem for the fabric of the building, landlords take a very close look in the bathroom.
- Living and sleeping areas : You’ll usually make faster progress in the rest of the apartment. This includes vacuuming and mopping the floors, removing dust and dirt from all surfaces, and cleaning the walls of dust, cobwebs, and stains.
- Children’s room : Located in one of the Children’s room carpet, extensive cleaning is essential. The spray extraction method is particularly suitable here. The carpet is specifically moistened and the cleaning agent used is then removed again. For invisible stains, cleaning with a hoover is also possible.
- Balcony and terrace : Outdoor areas such as balconies and terraces should not be forgotten during final cleaning. It is important to thoroughly remove dirt and grime such as moss. For heavy soiling, the use of a pressure washer is recommended to keep balconies and terraces clean. The degree of soiling in these areas affects the cleaning effort and can result in additional time and costs.
The order of final cleaning: What comes first?
Ideally, you should start with a preliminary cleaning by vacuuming the entire apartment. This will remove any loose dirt that inevitably accumulates when the apartment is emptied. A well-thought-out system will help you carry out the final cleaning efficiently and thoroughly.
The private helpers or even the employees of a removal company have to enter the flat several times and go to the removal van. In addition, all the dust fluff hidden under furniture is now noticeable.
Afterwards, it’s worth starting to clean the windows throughout the entire house. Don’t forget the shutters and window sills, which are often cleaned less frequently. Then begin cleaning all surfaces (lamps, interior window sills, remaining shelves and cabinets, etc.). Go from room to room to make sure you don’t miss anything. Clean from top to bottom to avoid duplicating work.
Finally, the finishing touches are applied in the form of intensive floor cleaning to remove the last of the shoe prints.
Quality assurance and cleanliness
Quality assurance is paramount when it comes to the final cleaning of an apartment. A professional cleaning company like Clean Service Scaramuzzo AG guarantees that all areas of the apartment are cleaned with the utmost care. High-quality cleaning agents and modern equipment ensure that even stubborn dirt is removed and the apartment can be handed over in immaculate condition.
Quality assurance encompasses not only the thorough execution of all cleaning tasks but also a final inspection of the cleanliness. This ensures that the apartment meets the high standards for handover and that the landlord has no complaints. With professional move-out cleaning, tenants can move into their new home with peace of mind, knowing their old apartment is sparkling clean.
Exceptions to the final cleaning: When is a swept clean flat sufficient?
If you have lived in a rented apartment for an extended period, the landlord’s requirements may have changed. If renovations are planned, it is sufficient to hand over the apartment in a broom-clean condition upon moving out.
It is best to discuss this before you hand over the flat so that you can rule out any unpleasant situations in advance.
Hand over the task of final cleaning
You don’t want to do it yourself and spend hours cleaning your old apartment? That’s perfectly understandable, as you should be focusing on your new place right now, since that’s where this new chapter of your life begins. A professional cleaning company is the ideal solution for the final cleaning of your property – various offers and services are available.
So why not concentrate on furnishing your new home and leave the final cleaning to a professional cleaning company before handing it over? You can request a quote for the final cleaning at any time to compare prices and costs transparently and find the right offer.
Due to the complexity of cleaning tasks, please allow approximately 20 hours for a large apartment with four or five rooms, and at least 8 hours for a small apartment with one or two rooms. Generally, cleaning ten square meters takes one and a half hours. Our company has many years of experience, a professional cleaning team, and offers comprehensive services for move-out cleaning and general cleaning of apartments and other properties.
Finding the perfect cleaning lady is easy with Suuber. If you don’t have an account yet, you can register in just a few moments. If you’re impressed with their work, you might just find the right cleaning lady to help you clean your new apartment. This gives you more time for your family or personal hobbies. Clean Service Scaramuzzo AG offers professional apartment cleaning with a handover guarantee.
Our services are available at various locations, including Zurich and the surrounding area. You benefit from a large number of experienced companies and professionals who will provide you with individual support tailored to your needs. Upon request, you will receive all the information, quotes, and assistance you need for a smooth and hassle-free property handover.
