How much would you expect to spend on a move? The average cost of an in-state move is $1,170. If you’re moving out-of-state, you can expect to pay well over $5,000.

But don’t think your only expenses will be hiring movers and buying boxes. There are also costs you may not think about.

One of the biggest ones is your security deposit. Losing your security deposit could mean a net loss of several hundred dollars. That’s money most people count on getting back, especially if you have a security deposit loan (Security Deposit Loans: How They Work).

Move out cleaning can make it more likely you’ll get at least some of your deposit back. Read on for a cleaning checklist that will help you move without any regrets.

Clean the Carpet

Your carpet can hide a lot. With any luck, you’ve been vacuuming regularly. But before moving out, you’ll need to go further.

Look for local businesses that let you rent carpet cleaners. You may even be able to snag one from a pet store.

Carpet cleaners are better for getting stubborn stains out of your carpet. You may not even realize the stains are there. But these things have a way of cropping up, especially if you have a cat or dog.

Clean your carpet once a couple of weeks before your move-out date. That way, you’ll have time to hire a professional cleaner if you can’t get the job done on your own.

Your house cleaning list is long. There’s no shame in bringing in extra help if you can afford it.

Scrub the Kitchen

You may not cook much. Less than 60 percent of dinners cooked at home got prepared there. But that’s no excuse to ignore this part of your house when you’re creating a cleaning checklist.

You can start by cleaning out the fridge. Now is the time to remove all those take-out containers that have been sitting there since Christmas.

Don’t just remove food items, though. Consider removing the shelves and disinfecting them.

Also, be on the lookout for any spills you forgot existed. If you spilled soda in your fridge last year but never dealt with it, now is the time to do so.

Then there’s the oven. That burned food that fell to the bottom of the oven may not have seemed like a big deal a few weeks ago. But it’s got to go now.

If you have a dishwasher, don’t forget to clean it out and disinfect it. You don’t want to leave any dirty dishes behind.

Don’t Forget the Exterior

This may not apply if you have a second-floor apartment with a concrete balcony. But if you have a first-floor unit, then you may need to do some weeding and trimming.

Your lease should specify what, if any, outdoor maintenance you’re responsible for.

It may not be a big area, but you still shouldn’t leave it unattended. You should be able to tidy things up within an hour so.

It also can’t hurt to mop the patio.

Your Guide to Move Out Cleaning

Moving can feel like a big, overwhelming puzzle. Starting your move out cleaning early will make things less stressful.

When you’ve got a deadline, it’s important to clean as efficiently as possible. Read our blog post on fast house cleaning for more information or contact us if you need a professional cleaning service.