Moving out is busy enough without a final clean on top of it. But the state you leave a home in matters, whether you are a tenant hoping for a smooth handover, a landlord preparing for the next person, or a seller getting ready for buyers. This room by room checklist covers what to do once everything is out.
What your lease and the law may expect
Start with your lease. In Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act makes tenants responsible for the ordinary cleanliness of their unit. That generally means leaving it reasonably clean, not necessarily professionally cleaned. This is general information, not legal advice. If you are unsure about a particular situation, check your lease and the information from the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Before you start
- Clean after your belongings are out, so you can reach every cupboard, closet and corner.
- Gather supplies: cloths, a bucket, a vacuum and a mop, plus cleaners suitable for each surface.
- Open windows or run a fan if you are using strong cleaners.
- Work from top to bottom: ceiling fixtures and walls first, floors last.
Kitchen
- Empty and wipe the inside of cupboards and drawers.
- Clean the stove top, the inside of the oven, and the range hood filter if there is one.
- Clean the inside and outside of the fridge, and leave the door slightly open if it is turned off.
- Wipe counters, the sink and taps, and the backsplash.
- Wipe the outside of the dishwasher and microwave, and clean inside them.
Bathrooms
- Scrub the toilet, shower, tub and sink. Pay attention to grout and the base of fixtures.
- Clean mirrors and the inside and outside of vanities.
- Wipe tiles, towel bars and fan covers.
- Clean the floor, including around the toilet base.
Bedrooms and living areas
- Wipe closets, shelves and rods.
- Wipe baseboards, door frames and doors.
- Spot clean marks on walls.
- Clean light switches, outlet covers and handles.
- Dust light fixtures, ceiling fans and vents that can be safely reached.
- Wipe window sills and clean glass.
Floors, last
- Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors, starting from the far corner and working to the door.
- Check corners and edges, where dirt gathers.
Final walk-through
- Walk through every room with the lights on.
- Check inside closets, cupboards and drawers one more time.
- Take dated photos of each room to record the condition you left it in.
- Return all keys and fobs, and confirm how and when you are handing them over.
When to hire a professional
Many people choose to hire a cleaner for a move because the days around a move are so busy. A professional clean can also be useful for landlords turning over a unit, and for sellers who want a home to show well. Book as soon as you know your date, and ask for a written checklist so you know what is covered.
If you are moving into a new place, a move-in clean means you can unpack into a home that already feels like yours. One client had us deep clean a large new apartment for an elderly parent before the move, and wrote that not a single detail was overlooked.
