Move In/Out Cleaning
A Flawless Handover: Securing a Full Security Deposit Return
Client
Sarah Jenkins (Previous Tenant)
Location
Riverview Apartments, Downtown Chattanooga
Service Type
Move-Out Cleaning
Duration
6 Hours (Team of 2 Professionals)
Project Scope
Complete deep cleaning of a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment
Project Overview
Sarah was moving out of her downtown apartment after a three-year tenancy. With her security deposit on the line, she needed a cleaning service that would meet her landlord’s stringent move-out checklist. The apartment had accumulated normal wear-and-tear, including baked-on grease in the oven, soap scum in bathrooms, and dust in hard-to-reach places. She chose Magnolia Lux to ensure the property was left in immaculate, “inspection-ready” condition to guarantee the full return of her $1,500 deposit.
Challenges
- 1Stubborn Kitchen Grease & Grime: Years of cooking had left a layer of grease on the range hood, stovetop, and inside the oven, which required intensive degreasing.
- 2Soap Scum and Hard Water Stains: The shower glass, tile walls, and faucets in both bathrooms were covered in thick, white scale and soap residue that regular cleaning couldn't remove.
- 3Carpet Stains and Odors: Several high-traffic areas and a few accidental pet stains (from a visiting dog) needed professional-level treatment to avoid costly carpet replacement fees.
- 4Detailed Landlord Checklist: The management company's inspection was notoriously thorough, focusing on often-missed areas like inside cabinets, behind appliances, and the tops of ceiling fans.
- 5A Tight 24-Hour Window: The cleaning had to be completed between Sarah moving her furniture out and the final landlord inspection the following morning.
Solutions
- 1Aggressive Kitchen Attack: We used industrial-strength, yet eco-friendly, degreasers and steam cleaning to break down the baked-on grease. The oven was disassembled and cleaned part-by-part, and the range hood filters were soaked and scrubbed.
- 2Bathroom Descaling Process: We applied a professional descaler to dissolve the hard water stains and used razor blades carefully on the glass shower doors to remove soap scum without scratching. All grout lines were scrubbed and sanitized.
- 3Advanced Carpet Treatment: We pre-treated stains with enzymatic cleaners, then used a hot water extraction machine (steam cleaner) to lift both the stains and underlying odors, restoring the carpet to a like-new condition.
- 4Inspection-Ready Detailing: Our team followed the landlord's checklist point-by-point, Ensuring we: • Wiped out the interior of every cabinet and drawer. • Pulled out the refrigerator and stove to clean behind and underneath. • Dusted the tops of door frames, ceiling fans, and window blinds. • Sanitized all light switches, door handles, and baseboards.
- 5Guaranteed Timing: We scheduled the clean for the same day the apartment was vacated, working efficiently as a team to complete the entire job in one afternoon, well ahead of the inspection deadline.
