Hacks That Will Make Your Place Look Amazing at Move Out

Are you in danger of losing some of your security deposits? These cleaning hacks can help you get out of your current location without losing any money.

How can I get my security deposits back? The following are some hacks.

• You can buff any scratches from the floors. Take a tennis ball and cut a small slit using a sharp knife. Use a broom handle to insert into the tennis ball. Rub over the marks. You can buff them away by applying pressure.

• Clean grout to get rid of mold or mildew. Most building maintenance departments will take care of mold removal if you notify them. If the mold doesn't disappear by regular cleaning, you may be charged for a new treatment. We suggest that you soak a piece of cotton coil in bleach for a few days and then stick it to the moldy grout. It will get rid of mildew if it is allowed to sit overnight.

• Repair holes in walls. There are likely to be several, especially if you have mounted a flat-screen television on the wall. To repair your wall, you can use white (non-gel) toothpaste if the hole is too small. Apply the toothpaste directly to the hole. Smoothen the edge using a putty knife or your finger if necessary. After it has dried overnight, you can smoothen the edges with a piece of sandpaper. For larger holes, spackle or caulk is preferred.

• You can get rid of any food that has been cooked in the oven. You can clean your oven by making a paste (baking soda and water). Allow the oven to cool down, and then cover it with a paste of baking soda and water. Use a damp cloth to clean the oven. Next, spray white vinegar onto any hardened areas. You can continue doing this and ordering takeout! Continue until your oven sparkle.

• Clean a dirty microwave. Did you ever forget to clean your microwave after your burrito exploded? (Yes, we've all been there.) Fill half of a microwave-safe bowl full of water. Slice a lemon in half. Squeeze the juice into the bowl and add the rinds. You can microwave the rinds for about 3 to 5 seconds. Don't open your microwave door for additional 5 minutes. The steam will help to loosen any buildup gunk making it easy for you to clean your microwave.

• You can remove crayons from walls. This is more common for tenants who have toddlers, though it's possible that your 20-year-old roommate or sister had a lot of fun and was able to get a little carried away with their creative energy. Crayons can be removed much more easily than you might think. Use a non-gel toothpaste to clean the crayon marks. Next, use a soft scrub brush and dry cloth to gently rub the crayon marks. You can then wipe off any toothpaste residue with a damp sponge.

• Clean carpet stains. Use a mixture of 1/2 cup of white vinegar and two tablespoons of salt to gently rub any light stains. Allow the solution to dry before vacuuming. Add 2 tablespoons of borax if you want to get darker stains.

• Clean up any spills from your refrigerator. Although it is common to discard leftover food, it is also a good idea that you clean up any debris or spills from the refrigerator. We suggest mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of dish soap with 4 to 6 cups of warm water. You can use a dishcloth or microfiber cloth to soak the solution. After it has cooled, you can wipe down the fridge. You can also give the front panels and handle of your fridge a good scrub.