Easy-to-follow move-out cleaning checklist

Follow our move-out cleaning checklist to avoid arguments with your landlords and any chargebacks!

• Before you start, remove all personal belongings. We recommend you pack up as much as possible before starting the clean-up. This allows you to dust off surfaces more easily, and also makes it easier to clean your old books and other effects scattered in the cabinets all together.
• Have the right tools ready. A comprehensive cleaning supplies list could get quite long, but includes rubber gloves, microfiber cloths, mop, bucket, sponge, vacuum and duster, along with windex, all purpose cleaner, disinfectant wipes, bleach, oven cleaner and more!
• Vacuum and mop floors last. Save this one for last as dust and chemicals will have likely fallen while cleaning elsewhere. Remind your roommates not to walk on the floor until it is completely dry, and keep pets in another room.
• If you have a house or townhouse rental, pay attention to the landscaping (don’t forget about your children’s toys, cigarette butts, patio furniture, etc.), garage (often neglected because it’s not an indoor space, but ends up getting dirty as it’s often used for storage along with mess caused by vehicles, children or pets) and laundry room (if you have a washer and dryer in your unit, you’ll want to make sure any lint or detergent spills are removed).
• Make a difference with smell! A place that smells good will immediately make any guest, including your landlord, feel comfortable. It also gives them the assurance that your home has been well maintained or at least given a good scrub very recently.

Get those gloves and spray bottles out and let’s get your place cleaned up! Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya.

Things you need to do in every room:

• Clear cobwebs from ceiling.
• Clean closet exteriors and interiors.
• Dust light fixtures, fan blades, window blinds, HVAC vents, and don’t forget the corners of rooms. Use the brush attachment on your vacuum to remove any dust lingering on your baseboards or trim, and wipe them down.
• Sweep & vacuum floors, carpets, windowsills and screens, and then mop. For carpets, remove them by applying commercial carpet cleaner and letting it sit for a few minutes. Use a microfiber cloth to blot the stain away. Some common carpet stains require a specific solution for removing, so be sure to use the right product for your apartment carpet cleaning.
• Use a window or glass cleaner to wash your windows. Simply spray the solution onto the window and wipe quickly with a lint-free cloth to avoid streaks (here’s a pro tip: use a newspaper if you don’t have a lint-free cloth). Make sure to dust off the handles, locks, and between the sliding tracks if your windows have them.
• If you have stains on your walls, grab a microfiber cloth and wash the walls using an appropriate cleaner for the paint finish.
• Remove nails, pins, and tacks from walls. Based on the size of holes in your walls, you may be asked to restore them by filling in and painting over them. This is a must do after you take out your wall-mounted TV! Use commercial putty and paint in the same color as your wall (sometimes your landlord will provide this) to restore it to its original state. Be sure to use a putty knife to properly apply the product.
• Check lights and wipe light switches. Your lease may require you to replace any light bulbs that may have gone out.
• And don’t forget to empty the garbage!

Kitchen Tasks:

• Clean countertops, backsplashes and kitchen appliances, beneath, inside and out. Wipe down the microwave and the insides of the fridge and freezer, removing any remaining food still in there.
• Move your stove. You’d be surprised to find out how much food has been rotting between your stove and cabinets! Give the stove top a good scrub and wipe. Remove burned-on food from your burners with readily available kits like Weiman Glass Cook Top Cleaning Kit. Don’t forget to clean the oven. Most modern ovens have a self-clean mode so give that a round or two.
• It may seem unintuitive, but the dishwasher will also need a clean. Use a sanitizing wipe to rid your dishwasher’s door of any soap scum and hard water spots. Then follow our handy dishwasher cleaning guide to learn how to scrub the accessories and tub.
• Clean the hood fan filter. This may take a while and may require some very strong chemicals since it’s been gathering grease for a while so it requires a lot of effort to clean it. If you aren’t able to purchase something for it, place it in some hot water, add dish soap, and leave it soaking overnight. The next day, it should be a lot easier to scrub off the grease.
• Empty and clean the insides of cabinets. Look out for any baskets, seasoning spills. Remove any shelf liners and wipe down the shelves with a damp cloth. You can also save time by using the brush attachment on your vacuum to suck up any crumbs in a snap.

This is a clean kitchen. Try to leave your kitchen (almost) looking like this! Photo by Becca Tapert.

The most important part, bathrooms:

• Scrub the toilets. Visible toilet rings are a definite no-no when it comes time to move out. Get rid of them by using an all-purpose bowl cleaner. Once you’ve finished scrubbing the toilet bowl, wipe down both sides of the seat and the tank with a bleach-based cleaning spray. Be sure to open a window or turn on your bathroom fan when cleaning with bleach.
• Scrub the shower and bathtub for scum and hard water spots. Get rid of buildup and mold, and don’t forget to clean under shampoo and conditioner bottles, where soap scum builds up fast. Clean the shower curtain (if applicable).
• Don’t forget to give the mirror, sink, and countertops a good wipe.
• Dust and wipe the bathroom fan. If you don’t have access to the circuit breaker, use a stepladder and a can of air to dust off your exhaust fan. For a more thorough clean, remove the cover and dust the interior.

If you know you don’t have enough time to thoroughly clean or are too lazy to, hire your local cleaners as many of them already offer move-out cleaning services. With all the stress of moving, this minor luxury could go a long way. We recommend, however, you call in advance during summer months as many people choose to do their moving around then.