Work through this list room by room, or hand it to your cleaner so you both know what is expected. Print it, or download the PDF.
Kitchen
- Empty, wipe and dry inside every cabinet and drawer
- Clean inside the oven, racks and broiler drawer
- Empty, defrost and wash the fridge and freezer, shelves out
- Degrease the range hood, filter and backsplash
- Clean the stovetop, knobs and drip pans
- Wipe the dishwasher door, seals and filter
- Scrub the sink and faucet
- Wipe counters and cabinet fronts
- Clean inside and outside the microwave
Bathrooms
- Scrub the toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it
- Remove soap scum and hard water marks from the tub and shower
- Scrub tiles and grout
- Treat mildew on caulk and ceilings
- Clean mirrors, vanity and inside the medicine cabinet
- Wipe the exhaust fan cover
- Polish faucets and fixtures
Bedrooms and living areas
- Wipe baseboards, doors and door frames
- Clean light switches and outlet covers
- Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Wipe AC vent and return covers
- Empty and wipe closet shelves and rails
- Clean window sills, tracks and blinds
- Spot clean marks on walls, if the paint allows it
Floors
- Vacuum every room, including closets and corners
- Mop hard floors
- Clean sliding door tracks
- Check under where furniture stood
Outside and extras
- Sweep the patio, balcony or entry
- Clear the garage or storage space
- Empty every trash can and take bags out
- Replace burnt out light bulbs, if your lease says so
- Leave the AC filter clean or replaced, if your lease says so
Before you hand back the keys
- Take dated photos and a video of every room
- Return every key, fob and garage remote
- Give your forwarding address in writing
- Turn off utilities only after the clean, as your lease allows
Tips for South Florida homes
- Check closets, the AC closet and bathroom ceilings for mildew, which builds up fast in humid months
- Sliding door and window tracks collect sand and grit. A small brush and a vacuum get them clean
- If you had a pet, vacuum vents and baseboards for hair and treat the floors for odor
- Leave the AC running on a sensible setting if your lease asks for it, to keep humidity down in the empty unit
Short on time? Book a move out clean and send your cleaner this list.