What to expect from a move-out clean
What a move-out clean covers, how the checklist works, what to do before the team arrives, and what isn't included.
Moving is a lot of work, and cleaning the home you're leaving usually lands at the very end, when you're tired and everything you own is in boxes. A move-out clean takes that last job off your list. Here's what to expect when you book one with us.
It starts with a checklist
Before the clean is booked, we go over the checklist with you in advance, so we both know exactly what will be done. We guarantee the completion of every item on that agreed checklist. No surprises on the day, and no wondering whether something was missed. If something particular worries you, like the oven or a bathroom that needs extra attention, raise it then so it goes on the list.
What the clean covers
Our move-out checklist covers the whole home:
- Kitchen: countertops, the sink, light fixtures, and the inside and outside of the appliances and cabinets
- Around the house: window sills, blinds, baseboards, doors and trim work wet-wiped, ceiling fans within reach of a two-step ladder, light fixtures, glass doors and the inside of the windows
- Floors vacuumed and mopped, trash emptied and cobwebs cleared
- Bathrooms: countertops, sinks, toilets, tubs and showers, mirrors and faucets, cabinets inside and out, doors and trim
Why an empty home matters
A move-out clean is made for an empty home. The inside of the cabinets, closets and appliances can only be cleaned once they're cleared, and floors and baseboards are easiest to reach with the furniture gone. The best time to book is after the last load has left. If your last day in the home is tight, give us the date early so we can plan the clean for after you've gone.
Before the team arrives
- Empty every cabinet, closet, drawer and the refrigerator
- Keep the power and water on until the clean is done
- Take away anything you don't want left behind
- Let us know how the team should get in, if you won't be there
What isn't included
We don't offer junk removal, so furniture, boxes or trash left in the home need to be cleared before we arrive. Carpet cleaning, pressure washing and window cleaning aren't services we offer either. If the home has just been renovated, post-construction cleaning is the better fit. If the carpets need cleaning, book that separately with a carpet cleaner.
Moving in, too
The same checklist works in reverse. If you've bought or rented a home, a move-in clean gets it ready before your things arrive, so you unpack into a clean house. And if you own or manage a rental that needs to be ready for new tenants, see rental property cleaning.
Booking your clean
Spring and fall are our busiest seasons, and plenty of moves happen then too. If you know your moving date, ask for your free estimate early, so we can plan the clean around it. You can read more about the service on our move-in and move-out cleaning page.