Move-out cleaning is a different animal from routine cleaning. Instead of maintaining a lived-in space, the goal is to hand off an empty (or mostly empty) property that looks and feels move-ready. Whether you're a tenant hoping to protect a deposit or a landlord preparing a listing, a good checklist saves time.
Before you clean
Get personal belongings out first. Even a partial move-out clean is easier when floors and surfaces are accessible. Keep water and electricity on so cleaning is actually effective — lights, hot water, and outlets matter more than people realize.
Kitchens
Kitchens are where deposits are made or lost. Focus on the interior of the stove and oven (per request), the interior and exterior of the microwave, the sink and faucet, cabinet fronts, and countertops. Wipe down cabinet interiors if they're empty. If the fridge is being left, clean inside once it's fully emptied.
Bathrooms
Attack them top-to-bottom: light fixtures and mirrors, counters and sinks, faucets, tubs and showers (including tracks and doors), toilets, and floors. Baseboards make a real visual difference — a fast wipe brightens the whole room.
Bedrooms and living areas
Vacuum standard floor areas, wipe down interior windows and sills where reachable, and dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and closet shelves. Wipe down doors and door frames — high-touch surfaces show wear.
What's typically outside a move-out clean
Wall painting or drywall repairs, exterior window washing, junk removal, and heavy hauling aren't part of standard move-out cleaning. Carpet washing and carpet shampooing are not services we offer; if a carpet needs wet extraction, that's a separate vendor.
Tenant tips
Photograph rooms before and after so both parties have a record. Give yourself more time than you think — even a small unit takes hours to clean thoroughly. Book professional move-out cleaning as soon as you have a firm move date.
Landlord tips
Turnover cleaning between tenants is worth doing well. A clean unit rents faster and photographs better. When you request a quote, share whether the unit is empty, partially furnished, or still occupied so scope can be confirmed accurately.
Requesting a move-out quote
Reach out with a few details — property type, approximate size, current state, and target date. We follow up to confirm scope and next steps.