Guide
Move-out cleaning checklist
Everything to clean before you hand back the keys, room by room. Tick tasks off on your phone or print it, and use the tips below to protect your security deposit.
Updated October 7, 2026 · By the Trade Pricing Control team · Where our prices come from
Before you start
- Read your lease and any move-in checklist or photos. Some leases require professional carpet cleaning or list specific cleaning tasks.
- Move everything out first. Cleaning an empty room is faster and you won't miss the floor under furniture.
- Work top to bottom, room by room, and leave floors until last.
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Bedrooms and living areas
Whole home and extras
How to protect your security deposit
- Compare against your move-in condition. If you have a move-in checklist or photos, check each room against them.
- Photograph everything when you finish, with dates, including inside the oven, fridge and cabinets.
- Know the difference between dirt and wear. Landlords can usually deduct for cleaning and damage, but not for normal wear and tear such as lightly worn carpet or faded paint. The rules vary by state, so check your local tenant guidance if there's a dispute.
- Keep receipts if you pay for professional or carpet cleaning, in case you need to show it was done.
- Ask for a walk-through with the landlord or manager before you hand back the keys, so problems can be fixed on the spot.
What a professional move-out clean costs
If you'd rather hire it out, move-out cleaning usually costs about $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot, or $25 to $50 per hour per cleaner:
| Home size | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $80 – $130 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $150 – $250 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $230 – $380 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $300 – $500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $450 – $750 |
Carpet cleaning usually adds $40 to $90 or more per room, and junk haul-away $150 to $350 per load. Price your home with the move-out cleaning cost calculator, or see the deep cleaning checklist if you're moving into a home that needs a full clean.
Run a cleaning business? Share this checklist with landlords and tenants so they can see exactly what your move-out clean covers.
Frequently asked questions
What should be cleaned when moving out?
Everything, with the home empty: inside the fridge, oven, microwave, cabinets, drawers and closets; bathrooms including grout and soap scum; walls, doors, baseboards, light switches, vents, blinds and windowsills; and finally the floors. Then take dated photos of every room.
How long does a move-out clean take?
Doing it yourself, plan on most of a day for a small apartment and a full day or more for a house. Professional teams are faster because several cleaners work at once.
How much does a move-out clean cost?
About $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot: roughly $150 to $250 for a 1,000 sq ft apartment and $300 to $500 for a 2,000 sq ft house, before carpet cleaning or junk removal.
Can a landlord charge for cleaning after I move out?
Usually, yes, if the home is left dirtier than when you moved in, but generally not for normal wear and tear. The rules vary by state, so check your lease and your state's tenant guidance.
Is a move-out clean the same as a deep clean?
It's a deep clean of an empty home, so it also covers the inside of every cabinet, closet and appliance. That's why it usually costs a little more than a deep clean of the same size home.