Move-Out Cleaning

What to clean, room by room

From the guide’s own room by room list. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Kitchen: clean inside the oven, under the burners and drip pans, the range hood filter, and inside every cabinet and drawer.
• Refrigerator: empty it, wipe every shelf and drawer, clean the door seals, and defrost and dry the freezer if it needs it.
• Bathrooms: scrub the tub or shower, toilet (including the base and behind it), sink, faucets, mirror and inside the vanity, and wipe away any mildew.
• Bedrooms and living areas: dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, blinds, window sills and baseboards, and wipe closet shelves.
• Throughout: wipe light switches, outlet covers, door handles and doors, and vacuum and wipe out window tracks.
• Floors last: vacuum carpets well, including edges and closets, and sweep and mop hard floors.
• Outside spaces: sweep the patio, balcony or porch, and leave the garage or storage space empty and swept.

All done. The home is ready for whoever comes next.

The spots most often missed

A last look before you hand over the keys. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Inside the oven
• Inside the refrigerator
• Cabinet and drawer interiors
• Window tracks
• Baseboards
• Ceiling fans
• The base of the toilet
• Light switches, door handles, blinds and the floor under appliances you can safely move

All done. Those sneaky spots are covered.

A few things to skip

• Please don’t mix cleaning products, especially anything with bleach. Use one at a time and rinse between them.
• Please don’t use harsh scrubbers or abrasive cleaners on stainless steel, glass cooktops, tubs or painted walls. Test a hidden spot first.
• Please don’t paint, patch or touch up walls without checking first. A mismatched color can look worse than a small scuff.
• Please don’t leave anything behind, even items that seem useful. Leftover belongings and trash usually need to be removed.

Keep a small “last day” kit aside before packing: gloves, a sponge, cloths, a general cleaner, trash bags, a broom and a vacuum. When everything else is boxed, you will be glad it is there.

If time runs short

1. Take a breath. Even a partial clean of the right spots makes a real difference.
2. Focus first on the kitchen and bathrooms. They take the longest and are noticed the most.
3. Next, empty every cabinet, closet and drawer, and take out all trash and recycling.
4. Then do a quick pass on floors, and vacuum and wipe window tracks.
5. If you won’t finish in time, reach out kindly in writing before the deadline and ask what would help most.
6. If hiring a cleaner is an option, ask whoever handles move outs if a receipt is helpful, and keep a copy.

After the final clean, take a slow video walk through of every room with the cabinets, fridge and oven open. It takes five minutes and shows exactly how the home was left.

Cleaning safely

Never mix cleaners. Bleach mixed with ammonia, vinegar or other acids can create harmful fumes. Cleaning products are safest used one at a time, as the label directs, with windows open or a fan running. Gloves protect hands, and taking breaks on a long cleaning day helps everyone stay well.

If anyone feels unwell around a cleaner, please get fresh air and, if needed, call Poison Control at 1 800 222 1222 or a doctor.

Window tracks, made easy. Vacuum loose dirt with a crevice tool, then wipe with a damp cloth wrapped around a butter knife or an old toothbrush. Finish with a dry cloth so nothing streaks.

Behind the appliances. If the stove or refrigerator can be safely moved, sweep and mop behind it. Please get help with heavy appliances and be careful with gas and water lines.

Planning the clean

From the guide’s list for owners. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Share a written cleaning checklist about 30 days before move out, so everyone knows exactly what to expect.
• Offer a pre move out walk about a week or two ahead to point out anything that needs attention.
• Let everyone know which items can stay, like a manual or a spare filter, and which should go.
• Confirm the move out date and time, how keys will be returned, and when the final walk will happen.
• If any appliance or fixture needs repair rather than cleaning, take care of it as a repair, not a cleaning charge.

All done. Everyone knows the plan.

Walking the clean home

• Walk the home with the move in report in hand and compare room by room, with a comment on every item, in any condition.
• Take photos from the same angles as the move in photos.
• Remember that normal wear from everyday living is not a cleaning issue.
• If extra cleaning is truly needed, note exactly where and why, and keep receipts.
• Share any concerns kindly and quickly, while details are fresh for everyone.
• Say thank you. A home left clean is a gift to the next household, and it deserves to be noticed.

Your move in report is the best cleaning guide you have. Bunklow Walk makes it easy to compare. See Bunklow Walk.

Guides that go well with this one

• Move-In and Move-Out Inspections
• Normal Wear and Tear vs Damage
• Safe Cleaning Products
• Oven and Stove Care
• Refrigerator Care

Helpful resources

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Safer Choice cleaning products and WVU Extension: Home Cleaning Safety. What counts as “clean” at move out, and what can be charged, is shaped by the lease and by the rules where the home is, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. A local landlord or tenant association or an attorney in your area can help.