Move-Out Cleaning, One Room at a Time

Cleaning a home you're leaving isn't like a regular cleaning day. The rooms are empty, the light hits every surface, and someone — a landlord, a buyer, the next tenant — is going to look closely. Working in the right order saves time and keeps you from cleaning the same spot twice.

Top to bottom, back to front

In each room, start up high with fans, light fixtures, and the tops of door frames. Work down through walls, switches, and windowsills, and save the floor for last. Start in the room farthest from the door so you're never walking across a floor you just finished.

The kitchen takes longest

Give the kitchen your first and best hour. Empty cabinets and drawers need wiping inside, the pantry needs its shelves and floor done, and the range hood collects more grease than most people expect. These are the places an inspection checks first.

Bathrooms are about the details

A bathroom can shine at a glance and still fail a close look. Check the grout, the base of the toilet, inside the cabinets and the linen closet, and the towel bars and paper holder. Water spots on fixtures read as neglect, so finish them dry.

Closets, bedrooms, and a last look

Empty bedrooms go quickly: closet shelves, windowsills, baseboards, then the floor.

Before you hand over the keys, walk the whole place once in daylight and open every cabinet, drawer, and closet. It takes a few minutes and catches what you missed while you were busy.