Explore this guide
Before you start
- 1
Empty the home first
If boxes are still in the room, you end up cleaning it twice. Book the clean for after the movers leave, or at least after each room is cleared.
- 2
Gather supplies
All-purpose cleaner, degreaser, bathroom descaler, glass cleaner, a magic eraser, microfibre cloths, a scrub brush, a vacuum with a crevice tool, a mop and garbage bags.
- 3
Work top to bottom
Dust from high spots lands on everything below, so do light fixtures and high shelves before counters, and counters before floors.
- 4
Leave the floors for the very end
Finish each room's floor last and back out toward the front door so you don't walk over clean areas.
Kitchen
The room that takes longest and that every landlord opens first.
Fridge and freezer
Empty, unplug if asked, remove shelves and drawers, wash them, wipe the gaskets and leave the door ajar if it will stay off.
Oven and stovetop
Inside the oven, racks, the door glass and the drawer below. Lift burners or wipe the glass top, and degrease the hood filter.
Dishwasher and microwave
Clean the filter and door seal of the dishwasher; steam and wipe the microwave inside and out.
Cabinets and drawers
Inside, outside and the tops. Remove shelf liner unless it was there when you moved in.
Counters, backsplash and sink
Degrease the backsplash, scrub the sink and faucet, and clear the drain.
Bathrooms
Tub, shower and tile
Descale glass doors and fixtures, scrub grout lines and remove soap scum from the tub surround.
Toilet
Bowl, seat, hinges, the base and the floor behind it, which is the spot most often missed.
Vanity and mirror
Inside drawers and the cabinet, the counter and sink, the faucet and the mirror without streaks.
Exhaust fan and fixtures
Dust the fan cover and the light fixture, and wipe the towel bars and toilet roll holder.
Bedrooms, living areas and closets
Closets
Shelves, rods, the floor and the inside of the doors. Remove hangers you are not leaving.
Baseboards and doors
Wipe every baseboard, door, frame and handle. Dust collects most on top of door frames.
Switches, outlets and vents
Wipe light switches and outlet covers, and vacuum the heating and air return vents.
Light fixtures and fans
Dust ceiling fan blades and clean the glass of light fixtures. Replace burnt-out bulbs.
Walls
Spot-clean scuffs and marks. Test the eraser in a hidden spot first; on flat paint it can leave a shiny patch.
Windows, floors and the extras
Window glass and sills
Inside glass, frames and sills. Lift blinds and wipe the slats.
Window and door tracks
Vacuum the grit out of sliding door and window tracks, then wipe them with a damp cloth.
Laundry area
Wipe the washer drum, door seal and detergent drawer, clean the dryer lint trap, and pull the units out if you can to clean behind them.
Balcony or patio
Sweep, wipe the railing and the door glass from outside, and remove planters unless they stay.
Garage
Sweep out, remove everything that's yours, and take oil-soaked cardboard and old paint to the right disposal.
Floors
Vacuum edges and corners, then mop hard floors. Carpets: vacuum thoroughly, and check your lease about professional carpet cleaning.
How a tenant move-out differs from a sale handover
You clean the same rooms either way. What changes is who inspects the home and what they compare it to.
| Tenant moving out | Seller handing over | |
|---|---|---|
| Who checks | The landlord or property manager, often with a walkthrough | The buyer, usually at a final visit before closing |
| What it's compared to | The condition when you moved in, allowing for normal wear and tear | The condition in the agreement of purchase and sale |
| Common focus | Kitchen appliances, bathroom, walls and floors | Overall cleanliness, appliances that stay, nothing left behind |
| What helps | Your move-in photos and a dated set of move-out photos | Photos on the last day and a clear handover of keys and manuals |
In Ontario, rent deposits work differently from many other provinces, so read your lease and ask your landlord what they expect at move-out rather than relying on general advice.
What landlords and buyers usually look at
People inspecting a home tend to open the same things: the oven, the fridge, the bathroom cabinet and the closets. They look at the tub and grout, run a finger along a baseboard, and check the floor where the bed and couch used to be. When those are clean, people tend to judge the rest of the home kindly.
Take photos of every room after you finish, including inside the appliances, with the date visible on your phone. If there is ever a disagreement about the condition, those photos are the record.
How long a move-out clean takes
It depends on the size of the home and how much build-up there is. A small condo that was kept tidy can be a few hours of work for one person. A large house after years of cooking, with an oven that has never been cleaned, can take a full day for a team. The kitchen and bathrooms take the most time; empty bedrooms go quickly.
If the clean falls on moving day itself, you will be tired. Many people book a professional move-out clean for the day after the move, or have it done while the movers are unloading at the new home. We can schedule it with your move so the old place is cleaned once the last box is on the truck. See our move-out cleaning service for what's included and how pricing works.
Book a move-out clean instead of doing it yourself
Tell us the size of the home, the move-out date and a few photos of the kitchen and bathrooms. Move-out cleaning is priced by the job, and we reply with a firm price.
Your questions, answered
A few more things to know
What is the difference between a regular clean and a move-out clean?
A move-out clean happens in an empty home and goes inside everything: appliances, cabinets, closets, and the tracks and baseboards that furniture usually hides. A regular clean maintains surfaces in a lived-in home.
Do I have to clean the oven when I move out?
Landlords and buyers almost always look inside it, so yes. It's usually the single slowest job on the list; start it first and let the cleaner sit while you do other rooms.
Should I patch nail holes before moving out?
Small nail holes are often treated as normal wear, but check your lease and ask the landlord. If you do fill them, match the paint or leave the patch unpainted rather than creating a mismatched spot.
How long does a move-out clean take?
It depends on size and condition. A tidy condo can be done in a few hours; a large house with heavy build-up can take a team most of a day.
Do I need to clean the carpets professionally?
Check your lease. Some ask for it; many only expect a thorough vacuum. Ask your landlord before booking a carpet cleaning you may not need.
Should I clean before or after the movers come?
After. An empty home is faster to clean, and the movers will track in dirt while carrying furniture out.
Can I book a move-out clean with my move?
Yes. We can schedule the clean at the old home right after the move, on the same booking as the movers.