Move-out cleaning has a different timing problem from ordinary cleaning. While the home is full, you cannot reach the floors behind furniture, the walls behind pictures or the inside of cabinets. The right time is the short window after the crew leaves and before you hand over the keys.
Before the crew arrives
Do the jobs that are easier with the home still furnished. Empty the refrigerator and freezer, defrost the freezer, and wipe both. Take down curtains and blinds you plan to clean. Remove nails and patch small holes if your lease or sale agreement calls for it. Ask the estimator which appliances will be moved, so you can clean behind and under them afterward.
Room by room, top to bottom
- Kitchen: oven and range top, inside the microwave, refrigerator shelves and drawers, sink and faucet, cabinet fronts, inside the cabinets and drawers, floor last.
- Bathrooms: toilet, tub and shower, tile grout, mirror, sink, vanity and drawers, then floor.
- Bedrooms and living areas: dust ceiling fans and light fixtures, wipe window sills and tracks, wash switch plates and door frames, vacuum closets, then floors.
- Floors: vacuum carpets and mop hard surfaces last, working toward the door you leave through.
- Garage and storage areas: sweep, remove oil spots if you can, and take out any trash.
- Outside: sweep the porch, empty the bins and pull any weeds near the entry.
Supplies to have on hand
A bucket, microfiber cloths, a scrub brush, a vacuum, a mop, a stepladder, trash bags, glass cleaner and an all-purpose cleaner cover most of the list. Keep the cleaning kit out of the moving boxes so it is still in reach on the last day, and pack it in your own car.
Photograph and keep the record
When you are done, take dated photographs of each room, including the inside of the oven, the refrigerator and the closets. Renters can attach them to the move-out inspection, and sellers can keep them with the sale papers. Time-stamped photos settle questions about condition later.
Hiring help
Book a cleaner for the day after the truck leaves if you want one, or set aside an afternoon yourself. Keep the keys until the cleaning is finished. See the moving-day tips for how to schedule the last day.