Late summer is lease-turnover season. College students are swapping apartments, families are settling before school starts, and thousands of renters are scrubbing ovens at midnight hoping to see their security deposit again. Move-out cleaning is the last chore of a move and the one landlords look at hardest. Knowing what they check, and when it's worth hiring help, can save you a frustrating argument and real money.
What landlords usually check at move-out
Most landlords and property managers compare the unit to how it looked when you moved in, often using a move-in checklist or photos. Expect a close look at:
- Kitchen: inside the oven, stovetop and drip pans, range hood and filter, inside the refrigerator and freezer, microwave, cabinets and drawers, sink and faucet.
- Bathrooms: tub and shower soap scum, grout, toilet base and behind it, mirrors, vanity drawers, exhaust fan cover.
- Floors: vacuumed and mopped, corners included. Some leases also address carpet cleaning, so read yours.
- Walls and trim: scuffs, marks near light switches, baseboards, door frames.
- Windows: glass, sills, tracks and blinds.
- Everything left behind: trash, furniture, food and boxes in closets, garages or patios often lead to charges.
Normal wear and tear vs. a cleaning charge
Security deposit rules are set by state law and sometimes by local rules, so the details vary. In general terms, many states don't allow landlords to deduct for ordinary wear from everyday living, but they can charge for damage and for cleaning a unit left much dirtier than it was at move-in. Many states also set deadlines for returning deposits and require landlords to itemize deductions.
A few examples that are often treated as everyday wear: slightly faded paint, light traffic patterns in carpet, minor scuffs. Examples that are more likely to be charged: heavy grease buildup, pet stains, holes in walls, and trash or furniture left behind.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you're in a dispute or unsure about your rights, contact a local tenant resource or talk to a licensed attorney in your state.
A move-out cleaning checklist, room by room
If you're doing it yourself, work top to bottom and back to front, so dust falls onto floors you haven't cleaned yet. Start with an empty home if you can.
Supplies: all-purpose cleaner, degreaser, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, a scrub brush, microfiber cloths, a magic-eraser-style sponge, a vacuum with attachments, a mop and bucket, trash bags and rubber gloves.
Kitchen
- Clean inside the oven and under stovetop burners.
- Empty, wipe and dry the fridge and freezer, including drawers and door shelves.
- Wipe cabinets and drawers inside and out.
- Degrease the range hood and backsplash.
- Scrub the sink and polish the faucet.
Bathrooms
- Scrub the tub, shower walls and grout.
- Clean the toilet inside, outside and around the base.
- Wipe mirrors, vanity, drawers and light fixtures.
- Dust the exhaust fan cover.
Bedrooms and living areas
- Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, vents and blinds.
- Wipe baseboards, door frames, switch plates and outlet covers.
- Spot-clean marks on walls carefully, testing first so you don't remove paint.
- Clean closet shelves and floors.
Last pass
- Clean windows, sills and sliding door tracks.
- Vacuum everything, then mop hard floors.
- Take out every bag of trash and check every closet and cabinet one last time.
When to hire a move-out cleaner
Doing it yourself works for plenty of people. Hiring a professional cleaner makes sense when:
- Your lease ends the same day the movers come, leaving no time.
- The home is large, or there's heavy buildup from years of living there.
- You have pets, and fur and odor need extra attention.
- You're moving out of town and can't come back for a second pass.
- The deposit is large enough that a professional clean is cheap insurance.
Questions to ask a cleaning company
Do you offer a move-out or move-in cleaning package, and what exactly is included?
Does it cover the inside of appliances, cabinets and windows?
Is it priced by flat rate or by the hour? Prices vary by home size, condition and area.
Does the home need to be empty, and do you bring your own supplies?
If the landlord flags something, will you come back to fix it?
Are you insured?
Book early. The last week of a month and the start of the next are busy times for move-out cleaning, especially in late summer.
Carpet cleaning and junk removal
Some leases mention carpet cleaning at move-out. Read yours, and if it's required, a carpet specialist may do a better job than a general cleaner. If you have furniture or boxes you can't take, a junk removal service can clear them before the cleaners arrive.
Protect your deposit with documentation
Cleaning well is half the job. Proving it is the other half.
- Take date-stamped photos and video of every room after cleaning, including inside appliances and cabinets.
- Compare them to your move-in photos or checklist.
- Keep receipts from any professional cleaning or carpet cleaning.
- Ask for a walk-through with the landlord or manager before you hand over the keys, if possible.
- Return all keys and get written confirmation that you did.
- Give your forwarding address in writing so your deposit and any itemized list can reach you.
Finding move-out cleaners on Listings Junkie
Browse cleaning services on Listings Junkie, or a state page such as cleaning services in Florida, Pennsylvania or Oregon. A few examples of companies listed on the site:
- Top Tier Maintenance in Fort Lauderdale is listed as a family-owned, local cleaning business with more than ten years in the industry.
- Rophe Cleaning Services LLC in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, serves both residential and commercial spaces.
- Simply Clean Carpet Care in Bend, Oregon, focuses on carpet and upholstery cleaning using steam and hot water extraction.
Call and ask whether they do move-out cleaning before you book. Still planning the move itself? Our eight-week moving checklist and guide on how to choose a moving company you can trust can help.
Frequently asked questions
How long does move-out cleaning take?
It depends on the size and condition of the home. An empty, lightly lived-in apartment goes much faster than a house with years of buildup. A professional team will usually estimate time after a few questions or photos.
Should I clean before or after the movers?
After. Once the home is empty you can reach every corner, and you won't have to redo floors the movers walked across.
Do I have to pay for professional carpet cleaning when I move out?
It depends on your lease and your state's rules. Read your lease, and if you're unsure, ask a local tenant resource.
Is move-out cleaning the same as a deep clean?
They're similar, but a move-out clean focuses on an empty home and the insides of everything, such as cabinets, closets and appliances, so the next tenant walks into a ready space.
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