- Last updated on: March 21, 2024
- Ann Nacario
Moving out of your old place can be quite emotional, so why not end your stay on good terms with a move out cleaning? A move out cleaning is sometimes required by realtors and landlords to ensure the home is presentable and clean for the new owners/tenants. As one of the last tasks on your list before moving out, a move out cleaning is definitely a deeper clean than a regular house cleaning, but is a lot easier due to the lack of furniture. You won’t have to clean all the furniture or lift it out of the way. Convinced about a move out cleaning? Check out this complete (room by room) checklist for your move out cleaning!
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What Does a Move Out Cleaning Typically Include? Move Out Cleaning vs Deep Cleaning
A move out cleaning typically includes a deep cleaning with additional cleaning tasks like cleaning the top of those cabinets you never get to. A move out cleaning is an extended version of a deep cleaning. A move out cleaning is essentially one of the deepest types of house cleaning you can get.
Whether it’s done professionally or not your move out cleaning should typically include:
- A deep cleaning and disinfecting of the main spaces like the kitchen, the bedrooms, the bathrooms, the living rooms and the basement.
- Vacuuming and mopping all the floors and carpets.
- Cleaning of all the appliances.
- Dusting and cleaning of every surface and furniture piece.
- Cleaning of the walls, baseboards and ceilings.
- Cleaning of the mirrors.
- All trash removed from the home.
- Aeration of each room in the home.
*Your move out cleaning company will most likely offer you a list of services you wish to include or exclude in your move out cleaning.
The Move Out Cleaning Supplies You’ll Need
- Vacuum
- Broom
- Bucket
- Gloves
- Mask and glasses
- Rags (a lot!)
- Trash bags
- Paper towels
- Sponges to scrub with
- Duster
- Window cleaning product
- All purpose cleaning product
- Floor cleaning product
- Disinfectant cleaner
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Name brand glass cleaner
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Calcium, grime and rust removing product
- Steam cleaner (optional but helpful)
The First Steps to Take for Your Move Out Cleaning
Before starting your move out cleaning with products, there are several steps you should take so that you can achieve the best results:
- Get rid of the things you don’t need. You can do this by either selling them on sites like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace or by donating them to a charitable organization. If you have junk that isn’t sellable and donatable, you can always hire one of the best junk removal services.
- Declutter the things lying around. Having things on the floor and on various surfaces will only get in your way while you’re cleaning.
- Empty all the trash in your home. Emptying the trash cans will make it easier to clean in and around them.
- Dust and all surfacesand vacuum all the floors. Dusting and vacuuming all the surfaces before you clean further will help you use fewer products and rags along the way. Dust that gets on rags and mops will just spread to the next surface you clean.
- Start by cleaning the room you use the least. Clean the room you used the least, the last so that the space stays as clean as possible for the new owner/renter.
The Room-by-Room Move Out Cleaning Checklist
*Remember to dust all surfaces and vacuum the floors first.
*Wipe down refers to wiping down with a rag and the cleaning product of your choice.
Kitchen Move Out Cleaning Checklist
- Spray, scrub and rinse sink
- Clean sink and faucet with grime cleaner
- Wipe down counters
- Wipe down cabinets
- Wipe down cabinet handles
- Wipe down inside, top, and doors of cabinets
- Wipe down drawers
- Wipe down backsplash
- Empty and wipe down fridge & freezer
- Wipe down top of fridge
- Wipe down all other appliances that are staying
- Remove crumbs and wipe down the inside of the pantry
- Spray cleaner in and out of the trash can, rub, and rinse with water
- Mop behind fridge
- Mop behind oven
- Clean dishwasher by filling a mug with vinegar and running on hot water cycle
- Wipe down exterior part of microwave
- To clean microwave, place 2 tbsp of vinegar in 500 ml of water inside a mug for 5 minutes, leave it closed for 3 minutes, then open and wipe
- Clean the inside of the oven by spraying vinegar and baking soda and letting sit for 20 minutes then wiping with a wet paper towel
- Clean window with name brand glass cleaner
- Wipe down window sill
- Take off window screen, vacuum, add soap and water mixed and clean under running water
- Wipe down blinds
- Clean light plugs and switches by turning off electricity, unscrewing covers soaking in water and soap and letting dry
- Clean walls and baseboards with a clean mop
Bathroom Move Out Cleaning Checklist
- Clean sink and faucets with grime cleaner
- Spray, scrub, and rinse sink
- Wipe down vanity with disinfectant cleaner
- Empty and wipe down vanity drawers
- If applicable, wipe under and behind vanity
- Wipe down toilet with disinfectant cleaner
- Clean behind and lower parts of toilet
- Clean toilet bowl with toilet bowl cleaner
- Wipe down toilet paper holder
- Clean bathtub and tiles with 2L water and 2 tbsp of dish soap, scrub and rinse with hot water
- Clean light plugs and switches by turning off electricity, unscrewing covers soaking in water and soap and letting dry
- Wipe down washer and dryer
- Clean inside of washer with 4 cups of vinegar on a hot water cycle
- Clean walls and baseboards with a clean mop
- Mop the floor
- Clean the mirrors
Bedroom Move Out Cleaning Checklist
- Clean window with glass cleaner
- Wipe down window sill
- Wipe down blinds
- Take off window screen, vacuum, add soap and water mixed and clean under running water
- Clean light plugs and switches by turning off electricity, unscrewing covers soaking in water and soap and letting dry
- Clean light fixtures by shutting electricity and carefully wiping down
- Clean walls and baseboards with a clean mop
- Mop the floor
Living Room Move Out Cleaning Checklist
- Clean windows with a name brand glass cleaner
- Wipe down window sill
- Take off window screens, vacuum, add soap and water mixed and clean under running water
- Wipe down blinds
- Clean light plugs and switches by turning off electricity, unscrewing covers soaking in water and soap and letting dry
- Clean light fixtures by shutting electricity and carefully wiping down
- Wipe down shelves
- Clean walls and baseboards with a clean mop
- Mop the floor
- Steam clean carpet (if flooring is carpeted)
Dining Room Move Out Cleaning Checklist
- Clean light fixture by shutting electricity and carefully wiping down
- Clean light plugs and switches by turning off electricity, unscrewing covers soaking in water and soap and letting dry
- Clean window with name brand glass cleaner
- Wipe down window sill
- Clean walls and baseboards with a clean mop
- Mop the floor
Hallway Move Out Cleaning Checklist
- Clean light plugs and switches by turning off electricity, unscrewing covers soaking in water and soap and letting dry
- Clean walls and baseboards with a clean mop
- Clean light fixtures by shutting electricity and carefully wiping down
- Mop the floor
Basement Move Out Cleaning Checklist
- Clean light plugs and switches by turning off electricity, unscrewing covers soaking in water and soap and letting dry
- Clean light fixtures by shutting electricity and carefully wiping down
- Clean walls and baseboards with a clean mop
- Mop the floor
Garage Move Out Cleaning Checklist
- Clean light plugs and switches by turning off electricity, unscrewing covers soaking in water and soap and letting dry
- Use a wide angle broom to get rid of dust and residue; make sure the garage door is open
- Lightly clean the walls and garage door with the mop you have been using all along.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Move Out Cleaning
Do You Have to Clean When You Move Out?
In some cases, cleaning before you move out is a requirement to get your deposit back. Otherwise, cleaning your place before you move out is really up to you. Cleaning when you move out will make you feel good about yourself for doing something nice for others. It will also help you maintain a good relationship with the new owner/renter in case you need them down the road.
What Should I Look for in a Move Out Cleaning Service?
Finding a trustworthy move out cleaning service can be tricky, which is why you should look for the following when beginning your search:
- They are fully bonded and insured
- Excellent Google reviews
- Employees are background checked
- They offer a 100% Satisfaction guarantee
- Many years of experience
- Pricing is fair (compare to other local companies)
How Long Is a Professional Move Out Cleaning?
On average a professional move out cleaning takes 2 hours for one cleaner per 500 square feet. The length of a professional move out cleaning depends on several factors:
- Size of the home
- How clean the home is
- Number of cleaners
What Is the Average Cost of a Professional Move Out Cleaning?
The average cost of a professional move out cleaning is between $275 to $750 for a 3 bedroom and 3 bathroom house, but it also depends on several factors:
- Size of the property
- How dirty your place is
- Whether your furniture and clutter is out of the way or not
- Number of cleaners present (will affect duration of cleaning)
Conclusion
If you’re planning on doing your move out cleaning a few days before your move, make sure to do a quick dusting and wiping of surfaces before you leave. Aerating the home is also very beneficial for air quality and overall cleanliness. One of the last things you should clean are doors and door handles as they are some of the most touched surfaces. We suggest you get the help from friends and family to do your move out cleaning as it entails a pretty long list! Not up to doing your move out cleaning yourself? Hire a house cleaning company in your area! Need a room-by-room cleaning guide when cleaning your new place?
