A good move out cleaning checklist works room by room, starts with the empty-out work, and ends with photos and a walkthrough. The goal is to leave the unit as clean as the lease asks, which is not always the same as spotless. Your lease and your move-in condition record set the standard, so read both before you buy a single cleaning product.
This guide gives you a plan for the last two weeks, a checklist for each room, and the paperwork that goes with it. We manage rental homes in the Pittsburgh area, so it also points to local resources. Terms vary by lease and by property, so treat this as a general guide and confirm specifics with your lease and with us.
What does your lease say about move out cleaning?
Start with the document, not the checklist. Leases often describe the condition a unit should be in when you return the keys, and some include a move out cleaning section or a separate move out sheet. Find the section on surrender of the premises, cleaning, damage and the security deposit. If something is unclear, ask in writing before move out day so you have an answer on record.
Then pull out your move in records. If you followed our guide to documenting apartment condition at move-in, you already have photos and notes that show what the unit looked like on day one. Those are the best reference for what “the same condition” means in your case. Existing marks, worn finishes and issues you reported at the start are part of that record.
Two things to settle early:
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- Who does the final cleaning. Some leases ask the tenant to return the unit clean. Others describe a cleaning charge. Your lease states which applies to you.
- How you will return the keys. Ask how and when the walkthrough happens, and who will attend.
For what happens to your deposit after you leave, see our post on getting your full security deposit back in Pittsburgh. This article stays on the cleaning itself.
When should you start cleaning?
Cleaning is much faster when the unit is empty, so the order matters more than the effort. A simple timeline:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Two weeks before | Reread the lease. Gather move in photos. Book elevators, movers or a truck if needed. Start donating or discarding what you will not take. |
| One week before | Pack items you use rarely. Defrost the freezer if it is a manual defrost model. Buy supplies. |
| Two to three days before | Clean inside cabinets, closets and the refrigerator while most of your belongings are still out of the way. |
| Moving day | Finish moving out, then sweep and vacuum last. |
| After the move | Take dated photos of every room, then complete your walkthrough. |
If you can, schedule the cleaning for after the furniture is gone but before you hand over the keys. Cleaning around boxes tends to leave missed spots on floors and baseboards.
What supplies do you need?
You do not need a long shopping list. Most of the work can be done with:
- All-purpose cleaner and a gentle scrub sponge
- Glass cleaner and microfiber cloths
- A bathroom cleaner for tubs, tile and toilets
- A degreaser or dish soap for the stove and range hood
- A vacuum, broom and mop
- Rubber gloves and trash bags
- A small tool for baseboards and tracks, such as an old toothbrush
If you want products with a lower environmental footprint, the EPA’s Safer Choice program helps shoppers find cleaning products that perform well and contain ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment.
Read every label. Do not use abrasive pads on finishes that scratch, such as some stovetops, and test any new product on a small, hidden spot first. If you are unsure whether a product is safe for a surface, ask us before you use it.
One safety rule applies to every room. The EPA’s guide to mold, moisture and your home says to never mix chlorine bleach with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia, because toxic fumes could be produced. Keep products separate, use them one at a time, and open a window while you work.
Kitchen move out cleaning checklist
The kitchen usually takes the longest, so start here.
- Refrigerator and freezer. Empty them, remove shelves and drawers, wash them with warm soapy water and wipe the inside walls and gasket. Ask us before you unplug it, since some leases expect appliances to stay running.
- Stove and oven. Remove drip pans and racks, scrub the burners area, and clean the oven interior following the manufacturer’s instructions. Wipe the knobs and the control panel.
- Range hood and filter. Grease collects here. Wash a removable filter in hot soapy water.
- Cabinets and drawers. Empty them, wipe the inside and outside, and clean around the handles.
- Sink and faucet. Scrub the basin, clean the drain area and wipe the fixtures.
- Countertops and backsplash. Wipe with a cleaner that suits the surface.
- Dishwasher, if there is one. Clear the filter, wipe the door edges and run an empty cycle.
- Floors. Sweep, then mop last.
Do not try to remove stains or wear that were already there at move in. Photograph them instead and compare them to your move in record.
Bathroom checklist
- Scrub the tub or shower, the tile and the grout lines.
- Clean the toilet inside and out, including the base and behind the seat hinges.
- Wipe the sink, faucet and the area behind the taps.
- Clean the mirror and any medicine cabinet.
- Empty and wipe drawers and cabinets.
- Wash the exhaust fan cover if you can reach it safely, or note that it needs attention.
- Mop the floor.
Bathrooms are damp, and the EPA notes that places that are often or always damp can be hard to keep completely free of mold. Its guide says that if mold in the shower or elsewhere in the bathroom keeps returning, running a fan or opening a window and cleaning more often will usually prevent it from recurring, or at least keep it to a minimum. On hard surfaces, the EPA recommends scrubbing mold with detergent and water and drying the surface completely.
If you find mold that is larger than a small patch, or you see water damage you did not cause, do not scrub it away and move on. Report it in writing and take photos. The EPA says that in most cases you can handle an area of less than about 10 square feet yourself, with exceptions such as extensive water damage or sewage, and it points to its remediation guidance for larger problems. Our guide to preventing mold and moisture in your apartment covers this in more detail.
Living areas and bedrooms
These rooms are quick once the furniture is out.
- Walls. Spot-clean marks with a damp cloth. Do not paint or patch unless your lease allows it. If you removed hooks or hangers, ask us how to handle the holes.
- Windows, sills and tracks. Clean the glass, wipe the sills and vacuum the tracks.
- Blinds and window coverings. Dust them, and wipe slats one at a time.
- Light fixtures and ceiling fans. Dust the blades and wipe the globes. Replace burned out bulbs only with the type the fixture already uses.
- Closets. Empty shelves and rods, wipe them down and sweep the floor.
- Doors and trim. Wipe door edges, handles and the area around switches, where hand marks build up.
- Vents and radiators. Vacuum dust from vents. If the unit has radiators, wipe around and under them with the system off and cool.
- Floors. Vacuum carpet in overlapping rows. For hardwood or vinyl, sweep and use a cleaner meant for that floor, with as little water as possible on wood.
Entryways, stairs, basement and outdoor spaces
Walk through every space you used beyond the main rooms, such as interior stairs, a basement or storage room, a porch or a shared entry.
- Sweep the stairs, porch and entry, and clear all your belongings from shared areas.
- Remove anything stored in a basement, attic, storage cage or shed.
- Check the yard or patio for trash, pet waste and personal items if the lease gives you the use of it.
- Make sure doors and gates are closed and locked as the lease requires.
What do you do with the stuff you do not want?
A move creates a pile of items that do not fit in the trash bag. Sort them early:
- Furniture and household goods in good shape. Donate them or offer them to neighbors.
- Bulky items. Our post on trash, recycling and bulk pickup rules for Pittsburgh renters covers collection days and large items, and the City’s bulk pick up page is the place to check current details. If you rent in a nearby borough or township, check with that municipality.
- Electronics, paint and chemicals. Check the label and your municipality’s guidance before putting these in the trash, and look up local drop off options before moving day.
- Food. Use up or give away perishables in the last week so the refrigerator can be cleaned and emptied.
Do not leave belongings behind. Leaving items in the unit, in common areas or at the curb may lead to disposal charges depending on your lease, so check yours.
What should you photograph and write down?
Cleaning is only half of the work. The other half is a record that shows what you did.
- Take photos or a video of each room after you finish cleaning, with the lights on.
- Capture close ups of the oven, the refrigerator interior, the tub, the toilet, closets and floors.
- Photograph any damage that was there before you moved in, next to your move in photos if you have them.
- Make sure your photos carry dates. Most phones store the date automatically.
- Keep copies in a place you can reach after you leave, such as a cloud folder.
- Report any unresolved maintenance issue in writing and keep a copy.
Keep photos from before you use a cleaning product on a stain, and put any report in writing.
Final walkthrough and key return
Ask us whether a walkthrough is available and how to schedule it. If you attend, bring your move in records and a copy of your lease, walk through each room, and note anything we point out. Take your own photos at the same time.
Return all keys, fobs and parking or garage passes as your lease describes, and ask how we will confirm receipt. Keep that confirmation.
Finally, give us your forwarding address in writing, since deposit and final paperwork may need to reach you. The U.S. Postal Service notes that a change of address order only changes your mailing address with the Post Office, and that you are responsible for telling government agencies, companies and other senders about your new address. Its page says to allow at least 7 to 10 business days for a request to take effect, so submit it ahead of time. You can start at the USPS change of address page.
Move out cleaning checklist you can copy
- [ ] Reread the lease sections on cleaning, damage, keys and deposit
- [ ] Find move in photos and notes
- [ ] Remove all belongings and trash from every space
- [ ] Clean the refrigerator, freezer and cabinets
- [ ] Clean the stove, oven and range hood
- [ ] Clean the sink, counters and floors in the kitchen
- [ ] Scrub the tub, toilet, sink and floor in the bathroom
- [ ] Wipe walls, doors, switches and trim
- [ ] Clean windows, sills, tracks and blinds
- [ ] Clean closets, vents and light fixtures
- [ ] Sweep stairs, entries and storage areas
- [ ] Vacuum and mop last
- [ ] Take dated photos of every room
- [ ] Report any unresolved issue in writing
- [ ] Return keys and get confirmation
- [ ] Send your forwarding address and file a USPS change of address
Frequently asked questions
How long does move out cleaning take?
It depends on the size of the home and how much you clean along the way. Cleaning in stages, starting with the kitchen and closets, spreads the work out.
Do you have to hire a professional cleaner?
Whether you hire a cleaner or do it yourself, the result matters more than who does it. Your lease states what it requires. If you hire someone, keep the receipt and share this checklist with them and confirm what the service includes.
Should you clean carpets before you leave?
Check your lease first, because it may address carpet cleaning. Vacuuming thoroughly is the baseline. If your lease asks for professional carpet cleaning or you choose to do it, keep the receipt and ask us what we accept.
What if the unit was not perfectly clean when you moved in?
That is why the move in record matters. Compare your move in photos to the current condition, and share them with us if there is a question. If you did not take photos, tell us what you remember in writing before you leave.
Where can you find your next rental?
If you are moving within the area, browse current rentals in the Pittsburgh area before your current lease ends.
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