After overseeing thousands of moves throughout my career, we can tell you that move-out cleaning is often the most overlooked part of moving. We’ve seen countless clients lose portions of their security deposits over cleaning issues that could have been easily prevented.
If you’re doing everything yourself, you’ll need a comprehensive move-out cleaning checklist to stay on top of it.
Use our move-out cleaning list as a guide so you hit every task before vacating the premises.
General Cleaning Tasks
These are your priority tasks for each room. At the very least, you should do these chores if you can’t go through this entire move-out cleaning checklist for whatever reason.
This is your last chance to make a positive impression on your landlord or property manager. You may as well give it your all. Besides, prioritizing these essential cleaning tasks results in a smooth transition and peace of mind during your move.
Remember, a little effort can go a long way. Dedicate time to these core cleaning tasks to leave your rental property in good condition.
- Dust Fixtures
We’ve observed that most people focus on eye-level fixtures but forget about ceiling fans and upper cabinet tops. Here’s a pro tip: Use an extended duster with a microfiber head – it’ll cut your dusting time in half. Our clients spent hours using step stools when this $15 tool could have saved them so much effort.
- Inspect Walls and Doors
Remove scuff marks, handprints, and smudges from your walls and doors. In most cases, all you’ll need are regular cleaning tools. However, a fresh coat of paint could be necessary depending on the severity of the stains.
This is also a good time to inspect wall outlets and switches. Check if you need to replace them.
- Clean Windows and Mirrors
Here’s something most people don’t realize: property managers often check windows and mirrors by viewing them from different angles. My foolproof method? Clean in a S-pattern using newspaper instead of paper towels – it’s an old-school technique we’ve been sharing with clients for years, and it hasn’t failed yet.
- Sweep and Mop Floors
Grab essential cleaning supplies to clean your floors. Make sure you include vacuuming carpets and rugs in your move-out cleaning checklist. Keep in mind that you might need to do a deep clean if your carpets have tough stains.
- Remove Cobwebs
Check your ceilings, closets, and furniture for cobwebs. You can use a broom or a vacuum cleaner to get rid of them easily.
Remember to pay attention to details such as wiping down baseboards, cleaning light switches, and dusting ceiling fans. By completing these general cleaning tasks, you can maintain a clean and hygienic space, even if you don’t have time for a full deep clean.
Room-Specific Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Let us share the priority tasks that make the biggest difference in final inspections. These tasks typically take about 3-4 hours for a one-bedroom apartment, but they’re absolutely worth the time investment.
There are a couple of benefits to cleaning your home room by room.
- Systematic Cleaning: By cleaning one room at a time, you can make sure that nothing is missed. You’ll never feel overwhelmed, and it’ll keep you organized.
- Efficient Time Management: A room-by-room approach helps you keep track of time. You’ll stay on schedule and avoid rushing through the cleaning process.
- Detailed Cleaning: Breaking down the cleaning process into smaller, manageable tasks enables you to pay attention to details.
Here’s a list of tasks that you need to do in each room of your house.
Living Room and Bedrooms
- Vacuum under your furniture.
- Vacuum your carpets and rugs.
- Clean your appliances.
- Wipe down electronic devices like TV remotes.
- Check your light switches.
- Wash your windows.
- Move out belongings that you’re taking with you.
- Check your door frames if they need adjusting. Lubricate hinges if needed.
- Empty trash cans. Remove debris.
Kitchen
- Wipe down countertops and cabinet interiors.
- Remove shelf liners and other debris.
- Use scrubbing brushes and other cleaning supplies to scrub and disinfect the sink.
- Unclog and clean your drain.
- Wipe down faucets and handles.
- Empty the contents of your refrigerator. Clean to remove odors and stains.
- Remove burnt residue from the oven and stovetop.
- Clean your microwave inside and out. Baking soda can help eliminate grease and grime.
- Wipe down the interior and clean the filter of your dishwasher.
- Remove grease or grime from your backsplash.
- Clean the floor, walls, and baseboards of your kitchen. Pay close attention to corners.
- Clean kitchen gadgets you’re leaving behind like your toaster, coffee maker, or blender.
Bathroom
- Scrub the toilet bowl, seat, and base.
- Remove soap scum, mildew, and hard water stains from the shower and bathtub.
- Wipe down your shower head and faucets. You might need to use cleaning products if wiping isn’t enough.
- Clean the glass doors, faucets, and shower curtains. Wipe down all surfaces including shower walls, sink, and countertop.
- Wipe cabinet interiors and exteriors after you remove their contents.
- Use glass cleaner to clean all your mirrors. Make sure there are no smudges or streaks come move-out day.
- Take out medicine from the medicine cabinet.
- Leave a fresh roll of toilet paper or towels for the next owner. It’s not necessary but it’s a nice gesture.
Laundry Room
- Check the lint trap. Remove lint from inside your dryer vent.
- Wipe down your dryer. Clean inside the washer drum and around the door seals.
- Run a cleaning cycle with a washing machine cleaner.
- Sweep and mop the floor.
- Wipe down your countertops.
- Check laundry bins for clothing you might have left behind.
Closets
- Take out all your personal belongings. Make sure you don’t forget anything.
- Pack your belongings in a bin or box.
- Clean mirrors with microfiber cloth.
- Dust shelves and wipe down rods.
- Clean the closet floor.
- Check the closet door. Make sure it’s still working properly.
Special Areas
This move-out cleaning checklist also covers areas like garages, attics, and basements.
- Sort items into categories — keep, donate, or throw away.
- Move everything out.
- Clean the walls and ceiling. Mop the floor.
- Seal cracks in the walls.
- Ventilate the space if needed.
- Clean your garage door and track.
- Check your whole house for pests.
- Inspect your house for water damage.
- Look at your insulation (if possible) for signs of damage or mold. The new owner might want to get ahead of the problem.
Don’t forget to clean areas like your porch and other outdoor areas. It’s a good idea to mow your lawn before you leave. If you have a garden, tidy it up a bit.
Final Touches
Before you hand over those keys, let me share my final inspection checklist – developed from years of working with property managers.
- Empty all trash bins and remove garbage from the premises.
- Check all light fixtures and replace any burnt-out bulbs.
- Test all appliances and fixtures to ensure they work.
- Double-check for personal belongings in all rooms, cabinets, and drawers.
I highly recommend that you do this final walkthrough during daylight hours, and here’s why: natural light reveals issues that overhead lighting might miss.
Hiring Professional Cleaners
Do you need to hire a professional cleaning service when it’s time to move out?
There are scenarios when working with a move-out cleaning service makes perfect sense. Maybe you’re too busy with work or just have too much on your plate already. Then hiring professional cleaners before you move out is probably the right move.
It’s also good for the elderly to seek assistance when cleaning their old space. The same goes for those who are injured or ill.
What’s Included in a Move-Out Cleaning Package?
Every move-out cleaning company will have its packages that detail what’s included. However, it usually goes beyond your average cleaning service. They’ll include other tasks such as cleaning hidden areas like the inside of kitchen cabinets.
Some companies can customize plans for each client. You just have to let them know what you need.
Cost Considerations
Let me break down exactly what you can expect to pay for professional cleaning in New York. Based on my experience working with dozens of cleaning companies, here are the typical ranges: Studios run $150-250, one-bedrooms $200-400, and two-bedrooms $300-600.
Size of the Property
The larger your home, the more time and effort it will take to clean. Factors such as the number of rooms, bathrooms, and the overall square footage will affect the final price.
Complexity
A deep clean—which involves tasks like scrubbing grout, cleaning appliances, and polishing furniture—will be more expensive than a standard clean.
Number of Cleaners
The number of cleaners assigned to the job will affect the overall cost. A larger cleaning crew can complete the job more quickly, but it will also increase the labor costs.
Urgency
Companies can charge a premium if you require immediate cleaning services.
Additional Services
Some cleaning companies offer additional services like carpet cleaning, window washing, or upholstery cleaning. These services can add to the overall cost.
Most cleaning companies provide free quotes to give you a clear understanding of the costs involved. By considering these factors and obtaining multiple quotes, you can find a cleaning service that fits your budget and needs.
Where to Find Reliable Cleaners
Nothing beats recommendations from friends and family. But there are other ways you can find professional move-out cleaning companies in your area.
You can search online marketplaces like Thumbtack or review sites like Yelp. You can also try researching cleaning businesses in your city and use Google Reviews to see if they’re credible or not.
Social media is also a good source of information. Check out professional move-out cleaning businesses in your area. Use community posts and comments to gauge how good each company’s services are.