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Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Move-out cleaning tasks that cleaners and cleaning companies list, from floors and fixtures to kitchen and attic.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
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Molly Maid's routine move-out tasks are sweeping, vacuuming and mopping floors, scrubbing plumbing fixtures, wiping baseboards and taking out the trash. Deep cleaning and carpets are where the cost and planning show up. One Homeaglow cleaner says deep cleaning and organizing cost extra, and another asks for advance notice if you want her carpet machine, so ask early. This list assumes an emptied home you're handing back, whether you do it yourself or brief someone else. It leaves out packing, utilities and your lease terms.
Why these items are on the list
- Tidy each room. Tidying rooms is on Molly Maid's list of routine move-out cleaning tasks.
- Take out all trash. Trash disposal is on Molly Maid's routine move-out list.
- Dust and sanitize surfaces. Molly Maid's routine move-out tasks include sanitizing and dusting surfaces.
- Wipe ceiling fans. Some cleaners skip them, so do them yourself or ask.
- Wipe walls. Judith, a Homeaglow cleaner, says she does walls and baseboards, plus anything else she sees needs doing.
- Wipe baseboards. Molly Maid lists baseboard wiping among its routine move-out cleaning tasks.
- Clean blinds and window tracks. Georgina, a Homeaglow cleaner, says she pays attention to details like baseboards, blinds and window tracks.
- Wash windows. Cristina's and Tiona's Care.com profiles both list window washing among their services.
- Clean the cabinets. Emilee's Care.com cleaner profile lists cabinet cleaning among her services.
- Wipe cabinet doors. Irene, a Homeaglow cleaner, includes wiping countertops and cabinet doors in her standard cleaning.
- Clean the oven. Dorothy's Care.com cleaner profile lists oven cleaning among her services.
- Clean the refrigerator. Dorothy's and Jasmine's Care.com profiles both list refrigerator cleaning among their services.
- Wipe counters and appliance fronts. Irene, a Homeaglow cleaner, wipes countertops and appliance facings as part of her standard cleaning.
- Scrub sinks, tubs and toilets. Scrubbing and sanitizing plumbing fixtures is on Molly Maid's task list.
- Organize closets, drawers and cabinets. Judith, a Homeaglow cleaner, says she's great at reorganizing closets, drawers and cabinets.
- Sweep, vacuum and mop floors. Molly Maid counts all three as routine move-out tasks, so don't stop at sweeping.
- Shampoo or vacuum carpets. One cleaner asks for notice to bring her carpet machine.
- Clean attic or basement. Care.com cleaner profiles, like Emilee's and Natalya's, list attic cleaning and basement cleaning among their services.
- Price a cleaner if short on time. Minneapolis Care.com profiles start at $16–$45 an hour; Diana's move-out deep cleaning is a $100 base plus $25/hr.
- Tell the cleaner about extras. Mention ovens, fridges and carpets when you book, since deep cleaning can cost extra.
Walk the house with your phone and tick each room as you finish. If a friend or partner is helping, split the list so nobody wipes the same shelf twice.
When to use it
Use it when you're planning a move-out clean, whether you do the work yourself or hire a cleaner.