Moving out of an apartment, condo or house in Charlotte? Before the landlord's walk-through or the closing, the home needs a thorough clean. But what does a move-out clean actually include?
Here's every task on the checklist our cleaners follow for a move in / move out clean, room by room. It's the same list whether you're leaving a rental in South End or getting a house in Concord ready for the buyer.
First, the home has to be empty
A move-out clean is done in an empty home. All personal items, boxes and furniture need to be out first. That's what lets us reach inside every cabinet, drawer and closet. We don't remove junk or large debris, so plan for those before cleaning day.
Kitchen
The kitchen usually takes the most time, because so much of the work is inside things:
- Inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers
- Inside the microwave
- Inside the oven, and the stovetop scrubbed
- Inside the refrigerator
- Inside the dishwasher door and filter area
- Outside of all appliances
- Range hood degreased
- Countertops and backsplash sanitized, and the backsplash grout scrubbed
- Sink and faucet scrubbed and disinfected
- Cabinet handles and hardware wiped
- Trash emptied
- Floors vacuumed, swept and mopped
Bathrooms
- Tub and shower cleaned, with heavy scrubbing of scale and soap scum
- Bathroom walls and tile grout scrubbed
- Toilets disinfected inside and out
- Countertops, sink and vanity cleaned
- Cabinet doors and fixtures wiped
- Mirrors cleaned streak-free, and faucets and chrome polished
- Baseboards hand-wiped
- Light fixtures and the exhaust fan dusted
- Light switches and handles sanitized
- Window sills and frames wiped
- Floors swept, mopped and vacuumed
Bedrooms
- Closet shelves and doors wiped
- Baseboards and trim wiped
- Wall spots cleaned
- Ceiling fans and light fixtures dusted
- Window sills and frames wiped
- Floors vacuumed
Living and dining areas
- Baseboards and trim hand-wiped
- Interior doors and frames wiped
- Light switches and door handles sanitized
- Vents and return grilles dusted
- Ceiling fans, light fixtures and high fixtures dusted
- Wall spots and scuffs cleaned
- Window sills, glass and frames wiped
- Floors swept, mopped and vacuumed
Extras you can add
These aren't part of the standard move-out checklist, but you can add them when you book. Each one is priced in the booking form before you confirm:
- Wet-wiped window blinds
- Interior window panes and tracks
- Garage sweep and cobweb removal
- Full appliance package
What isn't included
Some jobs need a different kind of service. A move-out clean doesn't include junk or heavy debris removal, moving heavy furniture, deep carpet stain removal, window washing at height, pet waste, hazardous waste, or repairs.
How it compares with a deep clean
Our move-out checklist covers the same detail as a deep clean. The difference is the setting. A deep clean works around your furniture and belongings. A move-out clean is done in an empty home, so nothing is in the way.
Tips for a smooth move-out day
- Book the clean for after your things are out.
- Empty the refrigerator and the kitchen cabinets.
- Keep the power and water on until the clean is done.
- Leave a lockbox code, key code or front desk note in your booking. You don't need to be there, and we let you know when we arrive and when we finish.
- Check the home soon after. If anything on the checklist was missed, tell us within 24 hours and we come back and re-clean that area free.
Moving in instead?
The same clean works before you unpack, while the new place is still empty. Once you're settled, our recurring cleaning keeps it that way, weekly, every 2 weeks or monthly, with a discount on every visit.
A move-out clean is priced by your home's square footage and bathrooms. It's a flat price for the job, and you see it before you book. See your price and book online.