Move Out Cleaning Checklist Before Moving

Moving to a new home can be an exciting and stressful experience. Between packing, decluttering, and lifting heavy boxes, it’s easy to forget about cleaning your old house before handing over the keys. A detailed move-out cleaning checklist helps alleviate these stresses, helping you leave a clean space for the incoming occupants, and if you’re a tenant, it can also help secure the return of your security deposit. 

In this Redfin real estate article, you’ll learn the move-out cleaning checklist for anyone leaving their home or apartment. So whether you’re moving out of your house in Albany, NY, or your apartment in Birmingham, AL, our cleaning checklist will help you tackle every inch of your old space to leave it looking as good as new.

Preparing for your move-out clean

Before you begin your move-out cleaning checklist, a little preparation goes a long way toward saving time and effort. This first step ensures a clear and efficient workflow.

First, make sure all your furniture, personal items, and trash have been completely removed from the property. Trying to clean around boxes and belongings is inefficient and often leads to missing key spots.

Next, gather all necessary cleaning supplies, including all-purpose cleaner, degreaser, glass cleaner, a vacuum, mop, toilet bowl brush, microfiber cloths, and a sponge. Check your lease agreement for any specific cleaning requirements or items that need professional attention, like carpets or vents.

Lastly, “Designate more time than you expect,” says Clean Arrival. “You may think move-out cleaning is more straightforward than regular maintenance cleaning because you’ve already moved out all your furniture and belongings and don’t need to work around them. However, you’ve now exposed all the previously hidden surface areas, and believe us, walls and ceilings get dirty.”

Kitchen cleaning checklist

The kitchen is typically the most time-consuming area, as it accumulates the most grease and grime. Focusing on these areas will ensure a great result.

Appliances

• Clean the oven interior, including the racks, using a heavy-duty oven cleaner or baking soda paste.
• Wipe down the inside and outside of the refrigerator, ensuring no food crumbs or residue remain. Pay special attention to areas where food is stored. 
• Clean the interior and exterior of the microwave and dishwasher, including the rubber seals.

Cabinets and surfaces

• Wipe down all cabinet fronts to remove grease buildup. Clean the inside of all drawers and cabinets thoroughly.
• Scrub the sink and faucet until they are free of water spots and residue.
• Sanitize countertops and backsplashes, paying special attention to grout lines.

Bathroom cleaning checklist

In your move-out cleaning checklist, bathrooms require a detailed, top-to-bottom approach to remove soap scum and disinfect all surfaces. Start high and work your way down to the floors.

• Wipe down exhaust fan covers to remove dust buildup.
• Clean mirrors and glass surfaces with a streak-free cleaner.
• Scrub the shower and bathtub, focusing on tile grout, fixtures, and the shower door track.
• Disinfect the toilet completely, including the base and behind the tank.
• Wipe down the vanity, clean the sink, and polish the faucet.

General areas cleaning checklist

This section of the move-out cleaning checklist covers the cleaning tasks for all other areas of the house, including bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways. These tasks often require less intense scrubbing but are important for a complete clean.

• Walls and woodwork: Spot clean any marks on the walls. Wipe down all baseboards, window sills, and door frames to remove dust and fingerprints.
• Floors: Sweep and mop all hard surface floors, such as tile, wood, and laminate.
• Carpets: Vacuum all carpeted areas and run a carpet cleaner if required by your lease. 
• Windows and doors: Clean the interior side of all windows. Wipe down interior doors, paying attention to doorknobs.
• Fixtures: Dust and wipe down all light fixtures, ceiling fans, and air vent covers.

Call the pros if you need extra help

If you’d like to ensure a clean move-out, you may need to call professional cleaners to help. “Hiring professional cleaners for your move-out cleaning service is a thoughtful way to hand over the keys, ensuring the new residents can move in easily,” says Jennifer L. Troyer from Seattle Green Cleaner. “It takes a lot off your plate and makes refunding your full security deposit more likely.”  

Leaving your previous home clean, whether through your own efforts or by hiring professionals, is a thoughtful way to close that chapter for yourself and welcome the next occupant into their new space.

Frequently asked questions:

What is the difference between a standard clean and a move-out clean?

A standard clean addresses surface-level cleaning, while a move-out clean is a deep, comprehensive process. It involves cleaning areas that are often neglected, such as the inside of the oven, deep inside cabinets, and baseboards, to restore the property to its original condition.

Do I need to clean the blinds and curtains?

It is highly recommended. Blinds and curtains collect a large amount of dust. Dusting the blinds and running a light vacuum attachment over any curtains is a necessary detail for a complete clean.

Will I get my security deposit back if I don’t clean?

In some rental agreements, a landlord has the right to deduct cleaning costs from your security deposit if the property is not returned in the same condition it was received, allowing for normal wear and tear. Following a detailed move-out cleaning checklist is the best way to ensure a full refund.

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