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Whether you’re a renter or a buyer, you should clean a house when moving out. For renters, it’s usually written in the lease that a house must be cleaned before it’s vacated. If you’re unsure how thoroughly to clean the place, check with the landlord beforehand; otherwise, you may not receive your deposit back. When selling a house, a contractual agreement is often made with the realtor that the house is swept and that all personal belongings are removed before the previous owners move out.

For special occasions, follow the same 15% to 20% tipping suggestion on the final cost of the service. Cleaning for holidays and parties can sometimes exceed $400, depending on if it’s a deep clean or involves more specialized requests (like yard clean up, unpacking decorations, or rearranging furniture). In which case, a $400 service would result in a tip between $40 to $80.

As a general rule of thumb, avoid handwashing dishes whenever possible—especially if you have a full sink. Using a dishwasher saves water and better sanitizes your dishes. However, if you have delicate dishwear, high-end glassware, or fragile plastics, you should opt to handwash it to avoid cracks, chips, or warping from the high heat of a dishwasher.

The best way to help a family member or friend declutter their home is to hire a professional organizer or cleaner to do it for them. However, you can also help them make a plan to tackle the clutter. Sit down with them and sort through the items, making piles of what to keep, toss, and donate. Focus on one area at a time to avoid overwhelming them. If they have trouble letting go of some items, ask them when they last used each item, what its purpose is, and whether it has sentimental value. The answers to these questions can help you advise them on handling clutter.