Moving always marks a new beginning, full of anticipation and perhaps a touch of excitement.

Even though new walls and a new address await, it's important to remember to thoroughly clean your old home before closing the door for the last time.

A proper move-out cleaning is the responsibility of the resident leaving, and the home should be left tidy at the end of the tenancy. In practice, this means the new resident can move in without needing to clean first.

A well-executed move-out clean saves you from unpleasant surprise bills. Best of all, you can settle into your new home with peace of mind, knowing you've left the old one in good shape.

The residents of Lumo homes can outsource their move-out cleaning to Onni kotisiivous at a discounted rate, ensuring the home is left spotless for the next resident.

However, many prefer to do the cleaning by themselves. Move-out cleaning becomes a breeze when broken down into manageable steps. A week-long schedule, clear instructions, and expert tips from Onni kotisiivous will help ensure your success!

7 days before moving: Prepare a cleaning box for the move-out clean: include a suitable number of cloths for different tasks, rubber gloves, cleaning detergents, and bin bags. This box will be your best friend until moving day.

6 days before moving: Tackle the most demanding kitchen tasks:

• Defrost the freezer safely. Empty it, place a towel inside to absorb water, and leave the door open.
• Clean the oven inside and out. Use oven cleaner spray or a natural baking soda mix; let it sit, then wipe with damp cloth.
• Wash the cooker hood grease filter. Remove it, soak it in hot water with washing-up liquid or vinegar, scrub if needed, and rinse thoroughly.

5 days before moving: Continue with the kitchen – wipe the insides of cupboards, doors, handles, tops, and kickboards. Wash fridge shelves and seals and vacuum behind the fridge if possible.

4 days before moving: Clean the shower area walls, floor, shower head, and any soap holders. Open and clean the floor drain. Don't forget to thoroughly clean any in-home sauna.

3 days before moving: Clean other living areas by dusting from top to bottom. Don't forget sockets, light switches, skirting boards, and ventilation vents. Remove marks from doors and walls.

2 days before moving: Clean the inside surfaces of windows and wipe down windowsills and frames. Tidy and empty the balcony and any storage spaces belonging to the flat.

1 day before moving: Focus on packing and enjoy the results of your thorough cleaning. Just one final push to go!

Moving day: Once the apartment is empty, vacuum and mop the floors, and wipe away any marks left during the last week.