Move-Out Cleaning Checklist: 10 Essential Steps for Boston Tenants & Landlords

Professional cleaner performing a move-out cleaning in a spotless Boston apartment with moving boxes prepared for tenants and landlords
Juliana’s Pristine Cleaning helps Boston tenants and landlords with professional move-out cleaning checklists, ensuring spotless apartments and full deposits back.

Moving is stressful enough—cleaning shouldn’t be. Whether you’re a tenant aiming to recover your full deposit or a landlord preparing for the next guest, this move-out cleaning checklist keeps Boston rentals inspection-ready.

What This Checklist Covers

  • Room-by-room cleaning steps aligned with landlord expectations.
  • Tasks that prevent inspection delays and deposit deductions.
  • Optional add-ons to pass even the strictest walkthroughs.

Move-Out Cleaning Checklist (Room by Room)

1) Kitchen

  • Degrease and wipe counters, backsplash, sink & faucet.
  • Clean appliance exteriors; scrub inside microwave & oven; wipe fridge shelves and door gaskets.
  • Empty cabinets/drawers; wipe interiors and handles.
  • Sweep and mop; empty trash and recycling.

2) Bathrooms

  • Scrub/disinfect toilet, tub/shower, tiles, grout, sink.
  • Polish mirrors and chrome; wipe cabinets and pulls.
  • Disinfect switches, handles and door hardware; mop floors.

3) Living & Dining Areas

  • Dust baseboards, sills, vents, light fixtures.
  • Wipe doors and high-touch points (switches, knobs, rails).
  • Vacuum/mop floors; remove cobwebs; clean interior glass.

4) Bedrooms

  • Dust furniture, lamps and blinds; clean mirrors.
  • Vacuum floors & closets; wipe shelving and rods.
  • Fill small nail holes (per lease), and remove adhesive hooks.

5) Appliances (Inside & Out)

  • Refrigerator: empty, defrost if needed, wipe shelves, bins and door seals.
  • Oven/Stove: degrease racks, drip pans and knobs; clean range hood filter.
  • Dishwasher/Washer: run cleaning cycle; wipe gasket and filter.

6) Floors & Carpets

  • Vacuum thoroughly; treat visible stains.
  • Mop hard floors with appropriate cleaner for finish.

7) Walls, Doors & Baseboards

  • Spot-clean scuffs and fingerprints.
  • Dust/wipe baseboards, door frames and trim.

8) Windows & Blinds

  • Clean interior glass and tracks; dust blinds and window sills.
  • Check screens for debris and wipe frames.

9) Trash, Recycling & Odors

  • Remove all trash; wipe bins; replace liners.
  • Ventilate rooms; neutralize cooking/pet odors.

10) Final Walkthrough

  • Photograph each room; verify lights, smoke detectors and thermostat.
  • Return keys/fobs per lease; label any remaining items.

Boston Tips for Tenants & Landlords

  • Tenants: Review your lease and move-out checklist 2 weeks before vacating.
  • Landlords: Standardize inspections with a written cleaning scope and photo proof.

Related Reading (IN)

Curious about pricing by home size in our area? Read: Average House Cleaning Prices in Greater Boston, North Shore & Merrimack Valley .

Helpful Resources (OUT)

Need a guaranteed move-out clean? We serve Greater Boston, the North Shore, and the Merrimack Valley.

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