Cleaning Tips
NYC Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Moving in New York is hectic enough without scrubbing an empty apartment at midnight. This checklist covers what to clean before handing back the keys, and how to plan it around your move.
Before you start
- Schedule the cleaning after the movers leave — an empty apartment cleans faster and more thoroughly
- Check your lease or ask your landlord what condition they expect
- Confirm building access: doorman, key pickup, elevator reservations and any service-entrance rules
- Leave the electricity and water on until the cleaning is done
Kitchen
- Inside and outside of cabinets and drawers
- Inside the oven and refrigerator (with a professional cleaning, these are optional paid add-ons where applicable)
- Stovetop, backsplash and range hood
- Sink, faucet and countertops
- Floor, including along the edges and under where appliances sit
Bathrooms
- Tub, shower, tile and grout
- Toilet, inside and out, including the base
- Sink, mirror and medicine cabinet
- Floor and baseboards
Bedrooms and living areas
- Inside closets, shelves and drawers
- Baseboards, door frames and light switches
- Interior windows and sills where accessible
- Vacuum and mop all floors
When to hire a move-out cleaner
If you're short on time, moving across boroughs, or want the apartment handed back properly, a professional move-in / move-out cleaning covers a full deep clean of every room, including inside cabinets. Inside-oven and inside-fridge cleaning are optional paid add-ons where applicable. It starts from $249.
We clean across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Moving into a new place? The same service works before your furniture arrives. See pricing for details.