Moving to a new home can be an exciting and stressful experience. Between packing, cleaning up, and lifting heavy boxes, it’s easy to forget to clean your old home before handing over the keys. A detailed move-out cleaning checklist can help alleviate these stresses and leave a clean space for new tenants. If you are a tenant, it will also help ensure the return of your security deposit.
In this Redfin real estate article, you’ll learn a move-out cleaning checklist for those leaving your home or apartment. So whether you’re moving from a home in Albany, New York, or an apartment in Birmingham, Alabama, our cleaning checklist will help you deep clean your old space and keep it looking as good as new.
Get ready for moving
Before you start your move-out cleaning checklist, a little preparation can save you time and effort. This first step ensures a clear and efficient workflow.
First, please ensure that all furniture, personal items, and trash are completely removed from the premises. Trying to clean around your boxes and belongings can be inefficient and often result in you missing important areas.
Next, stock up on all the cleaning supplies you’ll need, including an all-purpose cleaner, degreaser, glass cleaner, vacuum cleaner, mop, toilet bowl brush, microfiber cloths, and sponges. Check your lease agreement for specific cleaning requirements or items that require professional attention, such as carpeting or vents.
Finally, “specify a longer time than expected,” says Clean Arrival. “You might think move-out cleaning is easier than regular maintenance cleaning because you’ve already removed all your furniture and belongings, and you don’t have to work around them. But you’re now exposing all the surface areas that were previously hidden. Trust me, walls and ceilings will get dirty.”
kitchen cleaning checklist
The kitchen is usually where it takes the most time because it accumulates the most oil and dirt. Focusing on these areas will definitely give you great results.
home appliances
Clean the inside of the oven, including the racks, using a strong oven cleaner or baking soda paste. Wipe down the inside and outside of your refrigerator to ensure there are no food particles or residue left behind. Be especially careful where you store food. Clean the inside and outside of your microwave and dishwasher, including the rubber gaskets.
cabinets and surfaces
Wipe down all cabinet fronts to remove any grease buildup. Thoroughly clean the inside of all drawers and cabinets. Scrub the sink and faucet until there is no limescale or residue. Disinfect countertops and backsplashes, paying special attention to grout lines.
bathroom cleaning checklist
A move-out cleaning checklist requires a detailed top-to-bottom approach in bathrooms to remove soap scum and disinfect all surfaces. Start high and work your way down to the floor.
Wipe the exhaust fan cover to remove any accumulated dust. Clean mirrors and glass surfaces with a streak-free cleaner. Scrub the shower and tub, focusing on tile grout, fixtures, and shower door grooves. Disinfect thoroughly, including the bottom of the toilet bowl and behind the tank. Wipe down the sink, clean the sink, and polish the faucet.
General area cleaning checklist
This section of the move-out cleaning checklist covers cleaning tasks for all other areas of the house, including bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways. These tasks don’t require very aggressive scrubbing, but they are important for thorough cleaning.
Walls and woodwork: Spot clean any marks on the walls. Wipe all baseboards, window frames, and door frames to remove dust and fingerprints. Floors: Sweep and mop all hard surface floors such as tile, wood, and laminate. Carpet: Vacuum all carpeted areas and run a carpet cleaner if required by the lease. Windows and Doors: Clean the inside of all windows. Wipe the interior doors, paying attention to the doorknobs. Equipment: Dust and wipe all light fixtures, ceiling fans, and vent covers.
If you need further help, call our experts
If you want to make sure you leave clean, you may need to hire a professional cleaning company. “Hiring a professional cleaner for your move-out cleaning service is a thoughtful way to ensure a smooth transition and key handover for new residents,” says Jennifer L. Troyer of Seattle Green Cleaners. “This will greatly reduce your burden and increase the likelihood that your deposit will be fully refunded.”
Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, keeping your previous home clean is a thoughtful way to close that chapter on your own and welcome the next resident into your new space.
FAQ:
What is the difference between standard cleaning and move-out cleaning?
While standard cleaning deals with surface-level cleaning, move-out cleaning is a thorough and comprehensive process. We clean and restore often overlooked areas, such as the inside of your oven, the back of cabinets, and the bottom plate, to their original condition.
Need to clean your blinds and curtains?
Highly recommended. Blinds and curtains collect a lot of dust. Dusting the blinds and lightly vacuuming the curtains are necessary details for a thorough clean.
If I don’t clean, will I get my security deposit back?
In some rental agreements, the landlord has the right to deduct cleaning costs from the security deposit if the property is not returned in the same condition as it was received, taking into account normal wear and tear. The best way to ensure a full refund is to follow a detailed move-out cleaning checklist.
