Move-Out Cleaning Checklist: A Step-By-Step Guide to Every Room

You're moving house, but there’s one thing you have to do first. Clean the old one. While cleaning a home for the last time is never pleasant, it’s worth doing it well if you have a security deposit on the line. 

In this article, we publish the same move-out clean checklist used by many of the cleaners on Homeaglow. We'll show you step-by-step how to thoroughly clean every area of your home or apartment so that everything is free of dust, grime, and unpleasant odors.

A move-out clean can be a big job. If you need any help, you can always use Homeaglow to book a trustworthy, reasonably priced cleaner in your area.

You can see what's included in a standard Homeaglow cleaning here.

Professional move-out cleaning tips

Before we start crossing things off our checklist, let’s get started with these cleaning tips to guarantee you have a successful move-out cleaning.

Get your cleaning products ready

Making sure you have all the required cleaning products is the first step in a comprehensive move-out cleaning. You'll stay focused and complete the work as quickly as possible if you have everything in their respective areas — kitchen cleaning supplies in the kitchen, bathroom cleaning supplies in the bathroom, and so on. 

Work your way from top to bottom

In the same way that we recommend in our deep cleaning checklist, it’s best to work your way from high surfaces in the room, such as ceiling fans or shelves, before cleaning lower surfaces, such as the floors. If you do it this way, you won't mistakenly blow dust into recently cleaned areas.

Stage your work

What should you do first? Can everything be completed in a single day? Should you only pay attention to the common rooms? Cleaning all at once can be too much, depending on the area's size. 

Our best recommendation for a comprehensive moving-out cleaning is to work in stages. Start with the rooms you will use the least between now and moving out day, such as a guest bedroom, and break it into smaller time chunks. Focusing on one stage at a time helps you feel less overwhelmed and will help you get started.

Schedule time for sprucing up last minute

Some things, like the bathroom, will need to be cleaned before you leave, even if you clean before the move-out day. Also, remember that when the furniture is removed, you'll probably need to sweep away the exposed dust. A pro tip is to allot time for some last-minute sprucing so you don’t run out of time on move-out day.

Essential move-out cleaning items to stock up on

Before you begin a moving out deep clean of your house, make sure to stock up on these essential items on hand:

• All-purpose cleaner
• Spray bottles
• Baking soda and vinegar
• Multi-purpose cleaning cloths
• Soft sponges
• Scrub sponges
• Paper towels
• Stovetop/oven cleaner
• Fabric fresheners/stain removers
• Glass cleaner
• Floor cleaner
• Bathroom cleaner
• Toilet cleaner
• Toilet brush
• Furniture polish
• Dusting cloths
• Rags
• Antibacterial wipes
• Bucket
• Mop
• Broom and dustpan
• A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
• Steamer
• Cleaning gloves

Move out cleaning checklist

Cleaning is best done by working your way through chores from the top of each room to the floor. Whether you're cleaning a single room before moving out or your entire house, this concept still holds. If you are dealing with two stories, begin with the rooms on the second floor and work your way down to the first, completing each room from top to bottom.

Move out cleaning overview

• Dust off the ceiling fans
• Remove any nails or screws from the walls. Fill the holes with putty.
• Wipe down walls and molding
• Clean the windows and wipe window sills
• Wash the doors
• Sweep and vacuum
• Mop the floors
• Dust any vents or exhaust fans
• Dust blinds

Move out cleaning checklist for the bedroom

• Dust all surfaces.
• Clean the inside and outside of the closets.
• Remove all stains on walls and baseboards
• Clean and polish mirrors.
• Clean scuff marks and stains on the bedroom wall
• Clean window tracks and inside windowsills
• Wipe baseboards
• Wipe doorknobs, doorframes, and doors
• Wipe light switches 
• Empty garbage
• Vacuum and damp-mop hard surface floors
• Vacuum Carpet and area rugs if have any

For additional information, check our bedroom cleaning checklist.

Move out cleaning checklist for the bathroom

• Dust all surfaces
• Clean and sanitize the sink
• Unclog sink drains
• Clean and polish mirrors
• Clean soap scum
• Empty the trash
• Clean and dust baseboards
• Clean wall stains
• Wash the floor
• Clean shower tiles
• Cleanup and dust shelves and counters
• Clean windows, window tracks, and inside windowsills
• Clean and sanitize doorknobs, doorframes, and doors
• Sanitize the light switch
• Clean and sanitize the toilet bowl and toilet cistern
• Clean the insides and outsides of bathroom cabinets
• Clean and sanitize glass doors, shower walls, and bathtub

For additional information, check our bathroom cleaning checklist.

Move out cleaning checklist for the kitchen

• Dust all surfaces
• Remove wall and baseboard stains.
• Remove waste
• Vacuum and clean the floor
• Clean shelves, countertops, and tabletops
• Wash all dishes
• Clean and polish all glasses
• Clean cabinet exteriors and interiors
• Clean backsplash and sinks
• Unclog the sink drain
• Clean windows, window tracks, and inside windowsills
• Clean and dust baseboards
• Clean and sanitize doorknobs, doorframes, and doors
• Wipe and sanitize the light switch
• Clean interior and exterior of small appliances – microwave, toaster, coffee maker, etc.
• Clean interior and exterior of larger appliances –  stovetop, gas cooker, oven, range hood, fridge, microwave, dishwasher, etc.

For additional information, check our kitchen cleaning checklist.

Move out cleaning checklist for the living room

• Dust all surfaces
• Wipe down ceiling and ceiling fan
• Clean and sterilize the upholstery
• Remove all stains on walls and baseboards
• Clean window tracks and inside windowsills
• Clean and sanitize doorknobs, doorframes, and doors
• Remove and clean light fixtures
• Wipe light switches 
• Clean stains off the walls
• Vacuum and damp-mop hard surface floors
• Vacuum and steam clean carpet and area rugs
• Clean the window blinds and curtains
• Clean the interiors of cabinets, shelves, and drawers.

For additional information, check our living room cleaning checklist.

Make your move out cleaning simpler

Moving out has a lot of steps and cleaning is just one of them. If it’s all a bit much, or if you’ve run out of time, you can always book an affordable, professional cleaner on Homeaglow to help you out. Find and reserve a professional cleaner online now.