Move-In Move-Out Cleaning Checklist

Whole home, empty

Task	Done	Notes
Dust ceilings, fans, vents, and light fixtures	☐
Wipe baseboards, door frames, doors, and switch plates	☐
Clean windows inside, plus sills and tracks	☐
Dust blinds throughout	☐
Clean inside all closets, shelves, and storage areas	☐
Vacuum carpets edge to edge; mop all hard floors	☐
Empty every trash point; leave fresh liners	☐

Kitchen, empty

Task	Done	Notes
Clean inside oven, microwave, and refrigerator	☐
Clean inside all cabinets and drawers	☐
Degrease stovetop, hood, and backsplash	☐
Scrub sink, faucet, and disposal	☐
Wipe counters, grout, and caulk lines	☐
Pull out and clean behind appliances if accessible	☐

Bathrooms, empty

Task	Done	Notes
Scrub tub, shower, tile, and grout	☐
Disinfect toilet fully, including base and behind	☐
Descale showerhead and faucets	☐
Polish mirrors and chrome	☐
Wipe inside vanity, drawers, and medicine cabinet	☐

Exterior and handover

Task	Done	Notes
Sweep garage, patio, and entry if included	☐
Check light bulbs and replace dead ones if agreed	☐
Photograph every room, plus thermostat and meters	☐
Final walkthrough against the landlord standard	☐

How to quote it

Quote by the empty home: bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, and condition. A lived-in 2,000 sq ft home costs far more than a lightly used apartment.
Name the payer on the quote — tenant, landlord, or property manager — plus the property address and any landlord checklist that defines done.
Roughly double a standard visit for the same home is a common US starting point; adjust for condition and extras like garage or blinds.

FAQ

About this checklist

What does a move-out clean include that a standard clean does not?

Everything, with the home empty: inside cabinets and drawers, appliance interiors, closets, baseboards, window tracks, garage sweep, and a final walkthrough standard that satisfies landlords and property managers.

How should I price a move-out clean?

By the empty home, not by the hour. Confirm bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, and condition first — a lived-in 2,000 sq ft home costs far more than a lightly used apartment. Most US cleaners charge roughly double a standard visit for the same home.

Who pays — tenant, landlord, or property manager?

Any of the three. Put the payer, the property address, and the expected standard (landlord checklist, if one exists) on the quote before scheduling, so re-cleans do not become disputes.

Do I need photos?

Take before-and-after photos of every room. They settle most deposit disputes and they are the cheapest marketing you own.

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