Start with a top-to-bottom plan
Always clean from the top down and from the back of the home toward the door. Dust and debris fall as you work, so cleaning ceilings, fixtures, and shelves before floors means you never re-dirty a finished surface.
Empty every room completely before you start. An empty home reveals the dust behind furniture, inside closets, and along baseboards that a landlord or new owner will absolutely notice.
Kitchen
- Empty and wipe inside all cabinets and drawers
- Clean inside and behind the refrigerator and oven
- Degrease the stovetop, range hood, and backsplash
- Run an empty dishwasher cycle with a cleaner
- Scrub the sink and polish the faucet
- Wipe down all countertops and small appliances
- Sweep and mop the floor, including under appliances
Bathrooms
- Descale and disinfect the toilet, inside and out
- Scrub the tub, shower, and any glass doors
- Remove soap scum and hard-water spots from tile and fixtures
- Clean inside cabinets, drawers, and the medicine cabinet
- Wipe mirrors and polish chrome
- Sweep and mop the floor
Bedrooms and living areas
- Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and vents
- Wipe down baseboards, window sills, and door frames
- Clean inside closets and shelving
- Spot-clean walls for scuffs and marks
- Clean windows and tracks
- Vacuum carpets thoroughly or mop hard floors
Don't forget these deposit-savers
These are the spots that most often cost renters part of their deposit because they're easy to overlook: light switch plates, the inside of the washer and dryer, garage floors, patios and balconies, and any exterior entry areas.
When to call in a professional
If you're short on time or want the peace of mind of a guaranteed-clean handoff, a professional move-out clean is often worth far more than it costs in a recovered deposit and saved hours. At Maid With Precision we handle move-in and move-out cleaning across the Greater Pittsburgh region, following this exact checklist so the home is truly ready for its next chapter.