If you take care of your apartment and properly clean it at move out, you can reasonably expect the full student housing deposit back. In fact, a few hours of cleaning are well worthwhile as they can earn you hundreds of dollars back on the security deposit. The apartment management team at Munson Realty, Inc. in La Crosse, WI, wants to help you get the full amount back at move out. They share their recommendations to ensure you don’t lose that easy money.

What to Clean to Get Your Student Housing Deposit Back

1. Kitchen

Once you’ve emptied the kitchen of all dishes and food, thoroughly scrub it. Clean the cabinets and drawers inside and out; this includes the front of the doors, the shelves inside and the sides. Remove all drawers and shelves from the fridge and freezer to clean separately, and scrub out the inside. Defrost the freezer if necessary. Run the self-clean cycle on the dishwasher and do extra scrubbing if needed. Use oven and range top cleaner to scrub away food buildup with steel wool. Wipe out the sink, disinfect the countertops, and sweep the entire floor, including behind appliances.

2. Bathroom

Use a calcium lime rust cleaner if needed to remove any mineral buildup on the bathroom tiles and tub. Bleach the grout, as well. Use a drain snake in the sink and tub to remove any hair, then wash out the bathroom drawers and cabinets as you did in the kitchen. Use a glass cleaner on the mirror and disinfect the toilet, sink and, countertop. Scrub out the inside of the toilet with a bowl cleaner and replace the seat if needed.

3. Other Areas

The rest of the apartment generally needs dusting, sweeping, and mopping. Have the carpet professionally cleaned and get stains removed if necessary. Wipe down the baseboards and the window tracks. Dust all ledges and places up high, such as ceiling fans. Fill in any nail holes with caulking and dab replacement paint over it if you have any on hand.

If you’re moving out of an apartment and looking for a campus rental for next semester, contact Munson Realty, Inc. at (608) 785-7187. They have a selection of quality student housing that will fit your budget, and they don’t charge for parking like many others in the area! Their property management team provides 24/7 emergency maintenance services, ensuring you always have help nearby if there’s a problem with your unit. If you’re a student at Viterbo University, Western Technical College and the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, visit their website to learn more.