Carpet cleaning when moving flat in Hong Kong
When to book, what your tenancy might say, how to handle stains, and how to get a clean carpet in a new home before the boxes arrive.
Moving is the one time you can reach every inch of the carpet, and it comes with a hard deadline. A little planning makes the cleaning simple.
If you are moving out
Check your tenancy agreement first
Read what your lease says about the condition of the property at handover. Some landlords and agents ask for professional carpet cleaning and proof of it, while others just ask for reasonable condition, allowing for fair wear. Keep the invoice either way. If the wording is unclear, ask your agent in writing. This is general information, not legal advice.
Timing
The usual order is:
- Movers take everything out.
- Any repairs and painting. Paint spots and plaster dust should go before the carpet is cleaned.
- General cleaning.
- Carpet cleaning last, with time left to dry.
- Handover inspection.
Leave at least a day between cleaning and the inspection, longer in humid weather. In spring, you may need more. Book early if your move falls at a popular time, and check whether your building needs a goods lift booking.
Photos
Take dated photos of the carpet after cleaning and of any existing marks. If you have the check-in inventory or photos from when you moved in, compare them. They can help avoid disputes about old stains.
Stains
Don't keep trying products on an old stain just before handover. That can make it permanent. Tell us what it is and what you have used so far. If the stain is bleach or a burn, cleaning will not help, so you may need a repair quote instead. See stain and odour removal.
If you are moving in
Cleaning before your furniture arrives is the simplest time to do it, particularly if you do not know the carpet's history.
- Ask about previous pets, especially if you or your family have allergies. Hidden urine is often only noticed on the first damp day.
- Air the flat before you judge any smell, as a closed flat can be musty for simple reasons.
- Book the clean after any renovation. Fine dust is abrasive, and cleaning it up beforehand is wasted effort. See deep cleaning.
- Run a dehumidifier if the flat has been empty over a humid season.
Rugs and sofas
Moving is also a good time to clean rugs and sofas, before they go into the new place. Roll rugs with the pile facing in. Do not wrap them in sealed plastic for long, because moisture can become trapped. Read more about storing rugs and sofa cleaning.
A checklist for booking
- Your move date and handover date
- Floor, lift and parking details
- Approximate area, and a photo
- Any stains, and what caused them
- Whether you need an invoice
Our residential carpet cleaning page explains what we do, and the cost guide explains how we price it.
