Move-In / Move-Out Cleaning: A Room-by-Room Checklist
Moving is stressful enough without scrubbing baseboards at midnight. A proper move-in/move-out clean is more thorough than routine cleaning because the home is empty — which means all the spots that are normally hidden by furniture finally get attention. Here's what a complete job covers.
Why it's different from regular cleaning
With an empty home, the goal is a true reset: inside cabinets and drawers, behind where appliances stood, baseboards, and the build-up that collects over months or years. It's the clean that helps you get a deposit back, hand over a home you're proud of, or start fresh in a new place.
Kitchen
- Inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers
- Inside the oven, microwave, and refrigerator
- Behind and beside appliances (where reachable)
- Countertops, backsplash, and sink
- Range hood and exterior of all appliances
Bathrooms
- Tub, shower, and tile (including soap scum and grout lines)
- Toilet, inside and out
- Vanity, sink, mirror, and inside cabinets/drawers
- Exhaust fan covers
Bedrooms & living areas
- Baseboards, door frames, and doors
- Light switches, outlet covers, and fixtures
- Closet shelves and interiors
- Window sills and tracks
- Floors vacuumed and mopped throughout
Whole-home details
- Dust ceiling fans and vents
- Wipe down reachable interior windows
- Spot-clean walls and remove cobwebs
- Final floors throughout
A few tips to make it smoother
- Schedule the clean after the home is empty for the best result
- Have utilities (water, power) on during the clean
- Communicate any problem areas or specific landlord requirements up front
The NOVA approach
NOVA's move-in/move-out cleaning is detail-focused and consistent, backed by a 7-day touch-up guarantee, with an eco-clean option for sensitive households. We're insured and background-checked for your peace of mind during a busy transition.
Planning a move? Contact NOVA or call (980) 266-4818 to schedule a move-in/move-out clean.