The essentials in 30 seconds
The standard to aim for is the condition the home was in when you moved in, apart from normal wear and tear: California's Attorney General, for example, says a deposit can cover cleaning only to make the unit as clean as when you first moved in, and Citizens Advice says the same for England. Work top to bottom and from the back of the home toward the front door, clean inside every appliance and cupboard, then photograph or video every room once it is empty and clean. Ask for a move-out inspection and attend it if you can.
- Dig out your move-in checklist and photos first: they show what was already worn or damaged.
- Landlords can generally charge for damage and excessive dirt, but not for ordinary wear and tear.
- Keep receipts if you pay a professional cleaner: they count as evidence in a dispute.
Get ready: documents, timing and supplies
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01
Find your move-in records
The inventory or checklist you signed and any photos or video from move-in day. Note anything that was already marked, stained or broken.
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02
Read your lease
Look for clauses on cleaning, carpets, picture hooks and the move-out inspection.
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03
Ask for an inspection
In some states you have a right to a pre-move-out inspection; California's, for example, takes place within the two weeks before you leave and gives you a list of issues you can fix before any charge.
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04
Book the time
Clean after the furniture is out, and book more time than you think: a greasy oven or a limescaled shower can take hours on its own.
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05
Gather supplies
See the list below, so you are not running out mid-job.
What to have ready:
- All-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, a non-scratch cream cleanser, degreaser for the kitchen and a bathroom limescale remover.
- Microfiber cloths, non-scratch sponges, an old toothbrush for grout and tracks, a scraper for stovetops.
- Bucket, mop, vacuum with crevice and brush tools, a step stool.
- Rubber gloves, trash bags, light bulbs to replace any that are out, and batteries if your lease makes you responsible for smoke alarm batteries.
The order that saves you cleaning twice
- Top to bottom: ceilings, light fixtures and vents first, floors last, so dust falls onto surfaces you have not cleaned yet.
- Dry before wet: dust and vacuum before you wipe and mop.
- Back to front: finish the room farthest from the door first and work toward the exit, so you never walk across a clean floor.
- Soak first: start the oven, the shower and the stovetop parts soaking at the beginning, then come back to them.
Kitchen move out cleaning checklist
The kitchen takes the longest, because grease and food build up out of sight.
- Refrigerator: empty it, take out shelves and drawers, wash them, wipe the inside, the door seals and the outside. Ask your landlord whether to leave it running or switched off; if off, prop the door open so it does not smell.
- Freezer and ice maker: defrost if needed, empty the ice tray and wipe dry.
- Stove and range hood: clean burners, burner pans and knobs; degrease the hood and wash or replace the filter if your lease asks.
- Oven: racks, broiler pan, the inside walls and floor, the door glass and the light cover.
- Dishwasher: racks, filter, soap dispenser and the door edges.
- Microwave: turntable and inside walls; heat a bowl of water first to loosen splashes.
- Garbage disposal: run it with water and wipe the splash guard; if it is jammed, see garbage disposal not working.
- Cabinets and drawers: inside, outside and handles, including crumbs in the corners.
- Countertops, backsplash and sink: degrease, descale the faucet and polish the sink.
Bathroom checklist
- Toilet: inside the bowl and under the rim, the seat hinges, the base and the floor around it. If it is slow to flush, see how to unclog a toilet.
- Shower and tub: tiles, grout, the drain, the showerhead, doors or curtain rails; remove soap scum and limescale.
- Sink and vanity: faucet, plug, overflow hole, inside the cabinet.
- Mirror and cabinet: glass and shelves; remove any makeup or hairspray film.
- Exhaust fan: vacuum the grille.
- Mold: wipe small patches of surface mold and dry the area; if it keeps coming back, read black mould on walls and tell your landlord in writing.
Bedrooms, living areas and hallways
- Ceilings and corners: cobwebs and dust.
- Light fixtures and switches: dust shades, wipe switch plates, replace dead bulbs.
- Walls: spot-clean marks (see below).
- Doors and frames: fingerprints around handles, tops of frames.
- Windows: glass inside, frames, sills and tracks; screens and latches.
- Blinds and curtain rods: dust or wipe slat by slat.
- Closets: shelves, rails and floors.
- Baseboards (skirting boards in the UK): vacuum, then wipe.
- Outlets and vents: wipe covers, vacuum return grilles.
- Floors: vacuum carpets thoroughly, including edges; mop hard floors last.
Also check the laundry area (lint trap, washer seal and drawer; see how to clean a washing machine), the balcony or patio, the garage or storage unit, and trash and recycling bins.
Walls, nail holes and marks
Start with the gentlest method and test in a hidden spot: a damp microfiber cloth, then a little mild detergent, and only then a non-scratch cleanser. Rub lightly; hard scrubbing can take the paint off with the mark. Ask your landlord before filling holes or repainting: a patch in the wrong shade or sheen can stand out more than the original mark, and some leases set rules for repairs. Under UK guidance, a mark from a picture you hung can count as damage, but redecorating a whole room because of a few scuffs is generally not a fair charge.
Normal wear and tear vs damage
Every state and UK nation has its own rules, but the official guides agree on the principle: a deposit can cover unpaid rent, damage beyond normal use and cleaning back to the move-in standard; it should not pay for the normal aging of a home or for problems that were already there. Idaho's Attorney General publishes a helpful comparison, summarized here:
| Usually ordinary wear and tear (landlord's cost) | Usually damage or excessive dirt (can be charged) |
|---|---|
| Paint, carpet or curtains faded by time | Burns in carpet or curtains |
| A few small marks or nicks on walls or floors | Excessive damage to walls |
| Moderate dirt or spotting on carpet | Pet damage to carpet or curtains |
| Moderately dirty blinds or curtains | Missing or broken blinds |
| Mineral deposits in the toilet, stains on old porcelain | Grime-coated tub and toilet, blocked plumbing |
| Mirror backing losing its silver | Mirrors coated in makeup or hairspray |
| Worn-out appliance parts | Broken washer or dryer, broken tiles or torn flooring |
In England, Citizens Advice gives similar examples: landlords can deduct for things like a spill on the carpet or a mark from hanging a picture, but not for a carpet that wore out over time or for damage caused by a repair they failed to make after you reported it. They should give their reasons in writing.
Photos and the move-out inspection
- Film a walk-through once the home is empty and clean: every room, inside the oven, fridge, cupboards and the bath, with the date visible in the file.
- Match your move-in photos: shoot the same angles, so before-and-after comparisons are easy.
- Attend the inspection and ask what the landlord needs for a full refund. Idaho's Attorney General recommends that both sides record it in writing and on video or photos.
- Hand in keys and give a forwarding address in writing, and keep a copy.
- Keep everything: the checklist, photos, cleaning receipts and messages, until the deposit is settled.
What happens to your deposit next
In the US
Deadlines and procedures depend on your state, so check your state Attorney General or consumer protection office. As an example, California's Attorney General says the landlord must send an itemized statement of deductions within 21 days of move-out and return the rest. If you disagree, ask in writing for the reasons and the bills, and look up your state's small claims process.
In the UK
In England and Wales, a landlord must protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme (Deposit Protection Service, mydeposits or Tenancy Deposit Scheme) and return it within 10 days of you both agreeing the amount, according to GOV.UK. If you cannot agree, the scheme's free dispute service decides, using evidence such as inventories, photos and cleaning receipts; Citizens Advice says to raise it within 3 months of moving out. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own schemes. Rental law in England changed in 2026, so check the current GOV.UK and Citizens Advice pages for your tenancy type.
Move out cleaning: frequently asked questions
How clean does an apartment need to be when you move out?
As clean as when you moved in, allowing for normal wear and tear. Your move-in checklist and photos are the benchmark.
Can a landlord charge for cleaning after I move out?
Usually only to bring the home back to its move-in standard. Normal wear and tear is the landlord's cost.
What is normal wear and tear?
Gradual aging from everyday use, such as faded paint, worn carpet or a few small nicks in a wall.
How long does move out cleaning take?
It depends on the size and condition of the home. Start once the furniture is out and soak the oven and shower first to save time.
Should I clean the oven and fridge?
Yes. Move-out checklists such as the Idaho Attorney General's include the inside of the oven, fridge, dishwasher and microwave.
Do I need professional end of tenancy cleaning?
What matters is the standard the home is left in. Check your agreement for cleaning terms, and keep the receipt if you hire a cleaner.
Should I fill nail holes before moving out?
Ask your landlord first. Some prefer to fill and paint themselves to match the rest of the wall.
Should I take photos when I move out?
Yes. Photos or video of the empty, clean home are your best evidence if a deduction is disputed.
Sources
Official tenant and safety guidance, checked on 27 October 2026.
- California Attorney General · Know your rights: security deposits ↗What a deposit can and cannot cover, cleaning to the move-in standard, the pre-move-out inspection and the 21-day itemized statement.
- Idaho Attorney General · Landlord and tenant manual ↗Wear and tear versus damage examples, move-out inspection with photos or video, and the move-in and move-out checklist.
- GOV.UK · Tenancy deposit protection ↗Approved schemes in England and Wales and the 10-day return after agreement.
- Citizens Advice · Getting your tenancy deposit back ↗Fair deductions, wear and tear examples, evidence and the free dispute service in England.
- Washington State Department of Health · Dangers of mixing bleach with cleaners ↗Products to keep away from bleach, the gases produced and symptoms.
- CDC · Cleaning and disinfecting with bleach ↗Ventilation, protective gear and following the label.
Moving out soon?
Find your move-in photos today, then clean top to bottom and film every room before you hand in the keys.