Surely the last thing that you're looking forward to after a long, gruelling day of moving is house cleaning to get your old home or apartment in tip top shape. Still, we all know it has to be done before relocation can be complete.

Here are a few helpful tips to use to get house cleaning done after a move:

1. Consider any legal household cleaning requirements first of all. Depending on whether you're selling your home or moving out of an apartment, there may be specific residential cleaning instructions in your lease or mortgage.
   
   An apartment management company may charge you extra or take your security deposit if you don't leave the apartment in good shape when you move out.
2. Gather the proper house cleaning supplies. If you're not prepared, it's going to be difficult to clean well before completing your move.
   
   Make sure to have items like rubber gloves, dusting cloths, paper towels, sponges, glass cleaner, floor cleaning products, grease remover, and trash bags on hand.
3. Move from top to bottom. If you think about it, cleaning the walls, shelves, and ceiling fan will dislodge dust and dirt onto the floor. This will make even more work for you if you cleaned your floors first.
   
   Instead, work from top to bottom by dusting and cleaning mantels, shelves, and ceiling fans. Then work your way down to floor cleaning by concluding with mopping, vacuuming, and scrubbing the baseboards.
4. Move from dry to wet cleaning. In the same way that you will begin house cleaning from top to bottom, it's also important to clean from dry to wet.
   
   Start with all dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming, which will stir up dirt and grime that will stick to other surfaces. Finish with wet cleaners like mopping products, glass cleaners, and wood polish last of all.
   
   If you use wet cleaners before dry cleaners, you'll only be smearing dirt around on each surface.

Finally, take pictures of your finished product in household cleaning to have as evidence for your apartment leasing company or the new buyers of your home.

In case an apartment complex claims that you damaged your apartment, you can use the photos as proof to keep more of your security deposit.

If you live in an apartment or rental home, you may also need to have a walk-through inspection of your house cleaning before your move can be complete.

To simplify the house cleaning process immensely, try to clean as you pack. If you have packed up an entire room for relocation, like an office or nursery, clean the room completely using the tips above to lighten your load come moving day.

Top moving tip

Don't forget to bring your cleaning supplies with you when you move. Although an apartment or brand-new home is supposed to be in pristine condition, you may find yourself re-cleaning your home before unpacking if it wasn't cleaned properly by the previous residents.