Moving out of a Winston-Salem apartment? Your security deposit — typically $800 to $1,500 at complexes like Plant 64, Bailey Park, or Hawthorne at the Summit — depends on leaving the unit in clean, inspection-ready condition. This room-by-room checklist covers exactly what Winston-Salem landlords look for during walkthrough inspections.
Kitchen Checklist
Kitchen
- Inside oven — remove all grease and burnt residue
- Stovetop and drip pans — degrease completely
- Range hood and filter — remove grease buildup
- Inside refrigerator and freezer — wipe all shelves, drawers, door seals
- Inside dishwasher — clean door seal, filter, and interior
- Inside microwave — remove all splatters
- All cabinet interiors — wipe shelves and drawer liners
- Countertops — clean and sanitize all surfaces
- Sink and faucet — descale, polish chrome
- Backsplash — wipe down tile or surface
- Light fixtures and switch plates — dust and wipe
- Floor — sweep and mop, including under kickboards
Landlord tip: The oven interior and refrigerator are the two most common reasons for deposit deductions in Winston-Salem apartments. Even if they look clean, open the door and check from the landlord's angle — they will.
Bathroom Checklist
Bathroom(s)
- Toilet — inside bowl, base, behind tank, seat hinges
- Shower/tub — scrub tile grout, descale fixtures, clean door tracks
- Glass shower doors — remove all water spots and soap scum
- Sink and vanity — polish faucet, clean drain, wipe cabinet front
- Mirror — streak-free clean
- Medicine cabinet — wipe interior shelves
- Exhaust fan — remove dust from vent cover
- Towel bars and hooks — wipe and polish
- Floor — mop, paying attention to edges and behind toilet
- Baseboards — hand wipe (bathrooms get the most scrutiny)
Bedrooms and Living Areas
All Rooms
- Closet shelving and rods — wipe down completely
- Closet floor — vacuum or sweep
- Ceiling fan blades — dust both sides
- Light fixtures — dust globes and shades
- Window sills — wipe clean
- Blinds — dust each slat (or wipe with damp cloth)
- Baseboards — hand wipe entire room perimeter
- Door and door frame — wipe for fingerprints
- Light switches and outlet covers — wipe clean
- Walls — spot clean scuffs with magic eraser
- Carpet — vacuum thoroughly (consider professional carpet cleaning for stains)
- Hard floors — sweep and mop
Often-Forgotten Areas
These are the spots that catch most people off guard during inspections at Winston-Salem apartments:
- Inside the washer/dryer area — lint trap, shelf, drip pan
- HVAC return vents — remove and dust the cover
- Pantry shelves — crumbs and spills accumulate
- Garage floor — sweep and remove oil spots if applicable
- Patio/balcony — sweep, remove cobwebs from corners
- Front door exterior — wipe down, including door number
DIY vs Professional Move-Out Cleaning
You can absolutely do your own move-out cleaning. But here is the math:
- Average security deposit in Winston-Salem: $800-$1,500
- Professional move-out cleaning cost: $229-$349
- Time to DIY a thorough move-out clean: 6-10 hours
- Risk of missing items and losing deposit: moderate to high
Professional cleaners have commercial-grade products, experience with what landlords look for, and the ability to reach areas you might skip. At Smart Touch Cleaning, we offer a deposit-back guarantee — if your landlord flags anything we missed, we come back and fix it free.
When to Schedule Your Move-Out Clean
The ideal timing depends on your situation:
- Best case: Schedule 3-5 days before your lease end date, after all furniture is removed but before the final walkthrough
- Peak season (May-August): Book 7-10 days ahead — Winston-Salem's rental market is busiest during summer
- Last minute: Same-day move-out cleaning may be available — call (336) 505-4017 to check
Let Us Handle the Move-Out Clean
Deposit-back guarantee. Landlord-approved deep clean. Serving Winston-Salem apartments and houses since 2019.
Book Move-Out Cleaning