A move-out clean decides how fast a unit can be shown again, and often how much of a security deposit comes back. Most of the work is predictable, so a checklist saves a second visit. This is the order we work in, from the top of each room to the floor.
Start with the kitchen
The kitchen takes the longest, so start there while you have the most energy. Empty every cabinet and drawer first; a forgotten jar is the most common thing a landlord finds.
Wipe the inside and outside of every cabinet, drawer and shelf
Clean the oven, the racks and the stovetop, including under the burners
Empty, defrost and wipe the refrigerator and freezer, then leave the doors ajar
Run the dishwasher empty with a cleaner, and wipe the door seal
Degrease the range hood and its filter
Scrub the sink and the faucet, and clear the drain
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are where buyers and new tenants look closely. Soap scum and hard water marks take time to dissolve, so spray the tub, shower and glass first and let the cleaner work while you do the rest.
Scrub the tub, shower walls, glass and grout
Clean the toilet inside and out, including the base and the hinges of the seat
Wipe the vanity, the mirror, the medicine cabinet and every drawer
Clean the exhaust fan cover, which collects more dust than any other spot
Every room
Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, vents and the tops of door frames
Wash baseboards, doors, switch plates and handles
Clean the inside of windows, the sills and the tracks
Vacuum closets and shelves, and remove hangers and hooks you added
Patch small nail holes if the lease asks for it
Floors last
Finish every room by vacuuming and then mopping hard floors from the far corner toward the door. Carpet that still smells or shows traffic lanes after vacuuming needs a deep clean; a lease often requires a receipt for it.
Before you hand over the keys
Walk through with the lease or the move-in report in hand and photograph every room. Dated photos settle most deposit questions. If time is short, book a professional move-out clean for the day after the movers, when the rooms are empty and every surface can be reached.