Moving Cleaning Checklist for Boynton Beach, FL

Moving in Boynton Beach comes with its own set of logistics. You might be leaving a rental near Renaissance Commons, selling a villa in one of the adult communities out west, or moving into an older house close to the Intracoastal. Each brings its own rules, from condo elevator reservations to gate passes for the moving truck. The cleaning is the last job before you hand over keys, and the first one before you unpack. This checklist covers both.

Two to four weeks before the move

• Read your lease or listing agreement. Note any cleaning expectations, and whether a final walk-through is scheduled.
• Check community rules. Many condo associations and HOAs require advance notice for moves, set allowed moving days and hours, and may ask for a certificate of insurance from the moving company. Some require elevator pads or a reserved service elevator.
• Arrange gate access. In guard-gated communities, add the movers and the cleaning company to the guest list.
• Plan for hurricane season. If you move between June 1 and November 30, have a backup date in mind. Movers and cleaners may reschedule if a storm threatens.
• Start sorting. Fewer belongings means a faster move and an easier clean.

Getting rid of what you will not take

Boynton Beach picks up bulk trash weekly, up to three cubic yards, including furniture, appliances and mattresses. Set it at the curb after 6 p.m. the night before your pickup day, and no later than 6 a.m. that morning. Construction and demolition debris is limited to one cubic yard. Plan the last bulk pickup before your move-out date so the curb is clear for the walk-through. If a named storm is approaching, the city asks residents not to put bulk out, so do not leave it to the last minute.

Household chemicals, paint and pool supplies cannot go to the curb. Take them to a Solid Waste Authority Home Chemical and Recycling Center, which accepts them from Palm Beach County residents at no charge. Old medications can go to the police department lobby drop-off on High Ridge Road.

Move-out cleaning, room by room

Clean from top to bottom and from the back of the home toward the front door, so you are not walking over finished floors.

Kitchen

• Wipe cabinet fronts, handles and the tops of upper cabinets.
• Clean the outside of every appliance, including the range hood.
• Clean the stovetop and drip pans, the sink and the faucet.
• Wipe the backsplash and the counters.
• Sweep and mop the floor, including along the toe kicks.

Bathrooms

• Scrub showers, tubs, glass and tile, paying attention to grout and caulk where mildew hides in this climate.
• Clean the toilet thoroughly, including the base and behind it.
• Clean the vanity, sink, mirror and fixtures.
• Wipe the exhaust fan cover and the light fixture.
• Mop the floor.

Bedrooms and living areas

• Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures and vents.
• Wipe baseboards, door frames, doors and light switches.
• Clean window sills and tracks, and the slider track to the lanai.
• Vacuum closets, including shelves and corners.
• Vacuum carpet and mop hard floors.

Outside and the extras

• Sweep the lanai, balcony or patio.
• Clear the garage of leftover items and sweep it.
• Remove nails and hooks if your lease asks for it, and patch small holes.
• Replace the AC filter so the next occupant starts fresh.

The final walk-through

Walk the empty home with your lease, listing or HOA checklist in hand. Take dated photos of every room. Turn on every light to spot missed dust, and open every cabinet. Hand over keys, gate remotes, pool keys and mailbox keys together.

Move-in cleaning before you unpack

A home that has been empty, even briefly, collects dust, and in summer a closed house can smell musty. Before the boxes come in:

• Run the AC and check that it drains properly.
• Wipe down kitchen shelves and drawers, and the inside of bathroom cabinets, before putting anything in them.
• Clean the bathrooms top to bottom.
• Vacuum and mop every floor while rooms are empty.
• Check under sinks and around the water heater for leaks.
• Change the locks or codes, and the gate and garage codes if you can.

Notes for older Boynton homes

The city's first planned subdivision, Lake Boynton Estates, dates to the 1920s, and homes in the older parts of town can have original tile, terrazzo or wood floors and windows with many small panes. Use neutral cleaners on stone and terrazzo, and give old windows extra attention, as their tracks and slats hold years of dust.

Getting help

Move-out cleaning is a lot to manage on top of packing. TotalCare Cleaning offers move-out and move-in cleaning; professionals bring their own supplies and equipment and work from a written checklist, aiming for a home that is inspection-ready. Book by entering your ZIP code at /booking or call (888) 378-7451, answered 24/7.