A move-out clean should leave the home empty and clean inside and out: inside every cabinet, drawer, and closet; inside the oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave; bathrooms scrubbed and descaled; baseboards, doors, switches, and walls spot-cleaned; and every floor vacuumed and mopped. Do it after the last box is out, take dated photos, and check your lease for any specific cleaning requirements before you hand back the keys.
Moving is stressful enough without losing part of your security deposit over a greasy range hood or a dusty closet shelf. Whether you are leaving a Rockville, MD apartment, handing a townhome back to a landlord, or preparing a house for new owners, inspectors look for the same things every time. This checklist covers them all, room by room.
Before you start: supplies and timing
- Clean last. Wait until furniture and boxes are out. Empty rooms are faster to clean and you will not have to redo floors.
- Confirm utilities. You need power and water on the day you clean.
- Gather supplies: microfiber cloths, sponges, an all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, a degreaser, a bathroom cleaner, a scrub brush, a vacuum, a mop and bucket, an extendable duster, rubber gloves, and trash bags.
- Work top to bottom in each room so dust falls onto floors you have not cleaned yet.
- Read your lease. Some leases require professional carpet cleaning or specific tasks.
Kitchen move-out checklist
- Empty, wipe, and dry the inside of every cabinet and drawer
- Wipe cabinet fronts, handles, and the tops of upper cabinets
- Clean inside the oven, including racks, and wipe the stovetop and knobs
- Degrease the range hood and replace or wash the filter
- Empty, defrost if needed, and clean the refrigerator and freezer, including drawers and seals
- Clean inside and outside the microwave and dishwasher, including the dishwasher filter
- Scrub the sink, faucet, and backsplash
- Wipe countertops and pull out appliances to clean beside and behind them if possible
- Sweep and mop the floor, including corners and under the toe kick
Bathroom move-out checklist
- Scrub the tub, shower walls, and glass door; remove soap scum and hard water spots
- Clean grout and caulk lines; note any mold or damage before you leave
- Clean the toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it
- Empty and wipe the vanity, drawers, and medicine cabinet
- Clean mirrors, the sink, faucet, and fixtures until they shine
- Wipe the exhaust fan cover, light fixtures, and towel bars
- Mop the floor and wipe baseboards
Bedrooms, living areas, and closets
- Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and vents
- Wipe window sills, tracks, and blinds; clean interior windows
- Wipe closet shelves, rods, and the closet floor
- Spot-clean scuffs and marks on walls (test a hidden spot first)
- Wipe doors, door frames, handles, and light switches
- Wipe all baseboards
- Vacuum carpets thoroughly, including edges; mop hard floors
- Remove nails or hooks only if your lease requires it, and patch as directed
Don't forget these spots
These are the items most often missed, and the ones landlords notice:
- Inside the oven and under the stovetop burners
- The top of the refrigerator and the floor underneath it
- Laundry area: inside the washer drum and door seal, the dryer lint trap, and the floor behind them
- Light switch plates and outlet covers
- Entry door, garage, patio, or balcony
- Smoke detector covers and air vent grilles
- Trash: take it all, including what is in outdoor bins if required
Normal wear and tear vs cleaning issues
Landlords generally cannot charge you for normal wear and tear, but they can deduct for cleaning and damage beyond it. The difference matters:
| Usually normal wear and tear | Usually your responsibility |
|---|---|
| Lightly faded paint or minor scuffs | Grease, food, or crayon on walls |
| Carpet worn in walkways | Stains, pet odors, or debris left in carpet |
| Small nail holes from pictures (check your lease) | Dirty oven, refrigerator, or cabinets |
| Loose door handles from use | Soap scum, mildew, or hard water buildup |
Rules vary by lease and by state or local law. Check your lease and local tenant resources if you are unsure.
Document everything
Once the home is clean, take clear, dated photos and a short video of every room, including inside the oven, refrigerator, and cabinets. Compare them to your move-in photos or inspection report. If there is a dispute about your deposit, this is your best evidence.
How long does a move-out clean take?
For an empty two or three bedroom home, plan on a full day for one person, longer if the oven, refrigerator, and bathrooms need heavy work. A professional team can usually finish the same home in a few hours. A move-out clean takes longer than a standard visit because it adds the inside of cabinets, drawers, and closets. In practice it is a deep clean of an empty home.
Should you hire a move-out cleaning service?
Hiring a professional makes sense when your move date is tight, the home is large, or you are juggling a move-out and a move-in on the same week. A move-in and move-out cleaning from Nice Maids covers inside empty cabinets, drawers, and closets, baseboards, door frames, and full kitchen and bathroom detail. Inside the oven and refrigerator can be added. Our team is insured and background-checked, and if anything is missed, tell us within 24 hours and we will make it right. For landlords and short-term rental hosts, we also offer turnover cleaning.
Moving into a new place too?
The same list mostly works in reverse, but a move-in clean has its own priorities, such as sanitizing what the last occupants touched and cleaning before anything is unpacked. Use our move-in cleaning checklist for the new home.
Serving Rockville, MD and nearby
Rockville moves come in every shape: condos near Rockville Town Center, King Farm townhomes, and single-family homes in Fallsgrove, Twinbrook, and West End. Condo and apartment buildings often set move-out windows and elevator reservations, so book your cleaning for the day after the movers and confirm building access in advance. Nice Maids provides move-in and move-out cleaning and house cleaning in Rockville.
Nearby, we also clean homes in Kensington, MD, North Potomac, MD, and Potomac, MD.
Frequently asked questions
What should be included in a move-out cleaning?
A move-out cleaning should include inside all cabinets, drawers, and closets; inside the oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave; full bathroom cleaning including soap scum and hard water; baseboards, doors, switches, and wall spot-cleaning; window sills and blinds; and vacuuming and mopping every floor.
Does cleaning help you get your security deposit back?
Yes. Landlords can deduct for cleaning if the home is not left in the condition required by the lease, minus normal wear and tear. A thorough clean, plus dated photos of every room, gives you the best chance of a full refund.
How long does a move-out clean take?
About a full day for one person in an empty two or three bedroom home. A professional team can usually finish in a few hours. Heavy kitchen or bathroom buildup adds time.
Do I have to clean inside the oven and refrigerator when I move out?
In most leases, yes. Appliances are part of the home and landlords check inside them. Empty, defrost if needed, and clean the refrigerator, and clean the oven interior and racks.
Should I clean before or after moving my furniture out?
After. Clean once the home is empty so you can reach baseboards, closets, and floors, and so moving traffic does not undo your work.
Is a move-out cleaning the same as a deep cleaning?
Close, but not the same. A move-out cleaning is a deep clean of an empty home that also covers the inside of cabinets, drawers, and closets, because landlords and buyers open them. The home should be empty, with power and water on.
- Checklist compiled from the Nice Maids move-in and move-out service scope and common landlord inspection items. Check your own lease for specific requirements.
