Moving is exhausting, and cleaning is usually the last thing anyone wants to do. But a clean unit is the best way to protect your security deposit. Landlords typically compare the home to how it looked when you moved in, aside from normal wear. This checklist covers what to tackle and how to prove you did it.
Before you start
- Read your lease for any cleaning requirements and note anything listed.
- Find your move-in inspection report or photos.
- Empty the home first. You cannot clean around boxes.
- Gather supplies: microfiber cloths, a scrub brush, a mop, a vacuum, trash bags and an all-purpose cleaner.
Clean from top to bottom and from the back of the home to the front door, so you are never re-cleaning dirt you have just knocked down.
Kitchen
- Clean inside the oven, including racks, and wipe the stovetop and drip areas.
- Empty and wipe down the refrigerator and freezer, shelves and drawers. Leave doors open briefly to dry.
- Wipe the inside of the microwave.
- Clean the inside and outside of cabinets and drawers.
- Scrub the sink and faucet, then wipe counters and backsplash.
- Wipe the dishwasher door and gasket, and run an empty cycle if needed.
- Degrease the range hood and clean or replace the filter if that is your responsibility.
Bathrooms
- Scrub the tub, shower walls and doors to remove soap scum and mineral marks.
- Clean the toilet inside, outside and around the base.
- Wash the sink, vanity and mirror.
- Wipe cabinets, drawers and the exhaust fan cover.
- Clean grout lines with a brush.
Bedrooms and living areas
- Dust ceiling corners, light fixtures, ceiling fans and vents.
- Wipe baseboards, door frames and doors.
- Clean window sills and tracks, and wipe glass inside.
- Wipe light switches and outlet covers.
- Clean closet shelves and rods.
- Remove nails or fill small holes only if your lease allows and you know how. Otherwise ask your landlord.
Floors
- Vacuum carpet thoroughly, including corners and closets. Ask your landlord whether professional carpet cleaning is required.
- Sweep and mop hard floors, and take care around baseboards and under the edges of appliances.
Odds and ends
- Wipe the washer and dryer if they stay, and clean the lint trap area.
- Clean garage floors, patios and balconies if they are part of the rental.
- Take out all trash and remove all belongings, including anything in the attic or shed.
- Replace burnt-out bulbs.
Document everything
This step matters as much as the cleaning. When you finish, take dated photos and short videos of each room, including inside the oven, refrigerator, tub and closets. Keep them with your lease and any move-in report. If a dispute arises over the deposit, you will have evidence. Ask for a walk-through with the landlord if possible, and get anything they say in writing.
Common mistakes that cost deposits
- Skipping the inside of the oven and refrigerator
- Leaving soap scum and mold-prone areas in the shower
- Forgetting light fixtures and window tracks
- Leaving belongings or trash behind
- Cleaning without any photos
Rules about deposits and what counts as normal wear vary by state, so check your local tenant rules if you are unsure.
Timing your clean
Schedule cleaning for after the movers have left and before you hand back the keys. Cleaning too early means dust and footprints from the last day of packing undo your work. If possible, leave a full hour at the end for a final pass with a vacuum and a dry cloth, and check each room once more in daylight, since streaks and spots are easier to see with the lights off and the windows open.
Consider bringing in help
If you are also packing and driving, the cleaning list above can be a lot. Bethel J Cleaning Services offers move-out cleaning with vetted, background-checked cleaners across the country, and our 75-point inspection helps us check the details that tend to matter at a walk-through. You can request a free quote and share your checklist or lease requirements.