The Ultimate Move-In & Move-Out Cleaning Checklist You Can Actually Use

Boxes packed? Check. MakeSpace pickup scheduled? Check. Fridge scrubbed down? Che – wait, what?

Fact: The busiest season for moving (Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend) is right around the corner.

Also fact: Sometime between all that packing and schlepping should be some serious spring cleaning.

If you want your security deposit back on your old place, you’ll need to do a thorough wipedown before returning the keys. And chances are, your new space requires a dash of deep cleaning as well.

Not sure where to start? Below are move-out and move-in cleaning checklists you can actually click and save, courtesy of the green cleaning pros at GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning.

No need to print or download anything. Simply check the boxes with your mouse or finger as you finish each to-do.

Ultimate move-out and move-in cleaning checklists? Check!

Click any of the links below to jump to a specific checklist:
Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Move-In Cleaning Checklist

Move-Out Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen

Drawers and/or Cabinets: Clear out all the drawers and cabinets. Be sure to remove any liners if you have them. Sprinkle surfaces with baking soda and wipe with a damp sponge. Remove deep stains or caked-on foods with an all-natural cleaner like Murphy’s Oil Soap.

Stovetop: Brush off any debris with a stovetop brush and sprinkle the surface with baking soda, followed by a spray of hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for several minutes before wiping clean with a sponge and cool water.

Oven: Wipe away any loose debris. Coat the inside of your oven with a paste made from equal parts baking soda and water, and let it sit overnight. Finish by wiping the paste away with a damp cloth. Still see some baking soda? Spray with a bit of vinegar. The combination will fizz up, making it easier to wipe away.

Refrigerator: Unplug it! After clearing everything out, spray the inside and outside with a solution made from equal parts vinegar and water. Wipe with a damp cloth, then thoroughly dry with a clean towel.

Freezer: The quickest way to defrost a freezer? Place a clean dry rag on the freezer’s floor, put a pot of boiling water on top of the rag, close the door, and let the pot sit inside for 30 minutes. Voilà – the ice will melt. Wipe down with the same cloth and vinegar combo used for the fridge.

Counter: Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and distilled white vinegar, plus a few drops of your favorite essential oil (citrus is perfect for the kitchen). Use this to wipe down your countertops.

Sink: Wipe down your sink with the same mixture you used for your countertops. Then sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda down the garbage disposal followed by 1 cup of white vinegar. Let the mixture soak for a few minutes before rinsing with water as you turn on the garbage disposal.

Floor: Give floors a quick sweep (even under the appliances!) followed by a mop dipped in warm water. Floor still seems dirty? Check out Real Simple’s eight DIY cleaning solutions for specific kinds of flooring.

Bathroom

Shower and Tub: Make a paste of water and baking soda and use it to scrub all surfaces with a sponge. Spray vinegar on the paste until it fizzes. Scrub again when the fizzing stops, and rinse with water.

Toilet: Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar and a tablespoon of baking soda. Pour the mixture into the toilet bowl and let sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing with a toilet brush.

Sink: Sprinkle baking soda onto the sink and rub it in with a soft cloth before rinsing with cool water.

Mirrors: Wipe down all mirrors and fixtures with a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water.

Floor: After sweeping your floor, mix an eco-friendly cleaning solution in your bathroom sink by using 1/4 cup of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of dish soap, and 2 gallons of water. Dip a towel into the solution and wipe down your floors.

Living Spaces

Light Fixtures, Switches, and Outlets: Spray a microfiber cloth with an all-purpose cleaner. Use it to wipe down all light fixtures, light switches, and outlets.

Doors: Wipe down the front and tops of all doors with dish soap and a paper towel. Don’t forget the doorknobs! PopSugar recommends using this DIY antibacterial spray: 3 cups water, ½ cup white vinegar, and 15 drops of essential oil (either lavender or tea tree).

Wall damage: Remove all nails and plaster any holes using spackling paste, a putty knife, and sandpaper.

Wall cleaning: Remove any scuff marks easily with a Magic Eraser. Then, cover a broom with a towel and wipe the walls from the top to the baseboard.

Windows: To remove dirt from windows without leaving streaks, spray the windows with this solution from Care2: 2 cups water, ¼ cup white vinegar, and ½ teaspoon dish soap or detergent. Wipe with a microfiber cloth or a squeegee.

Hardwood floors: Follow up a thorough sweep with a deep mopping. If you don’t have mop solution on hand, you can DIY one with a ½ cup vinegar and a gallon of warm water.mop solution on hand, you can DIY one with a ½ cup vinegar and a gallon of warm water.

Carpets: Remove stains from your carpet with a mixture that’s 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water. Place a wet rag over the stain, set your iron to steam, and iron on top of the rag for about 30 seconds.

Vents: Use a vacuum attachment to vacuum any grime or buildup. Wipe thoroughly with a microfiber cloth.

Drapes: Remove the fabric, place it on a solid surface, and use an upholstery brush and crevice tool to vacuum thoroughly.

Move-In Cleaning Checklist

In addition to following the cleaning tips for moving out above, follow these cleaning tips for moving into a new home:

Kitchen

Counters, Drawers, and Cabinets: Wipe down all countertops, drawers, and cabinets with a disinfectant spray. Add lining to cabinets.countertops, drawers, and cabinets with a disinfectant spray. Add lining to cabinets.

Stovetop and Fridge: Remove all the stove-top parts and fridge shelves and drawers. Soak them in a tub filled with warm, soapy water. After an hour or so, dry the parts and put them back into place. After cleaning the fridge, prevent future odors by placing a tray of fresh or used coffee grounds in the back. Replace every two weeks.

Dishwasher: Pour a cup of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe container and place it on the top rack of your dishwasher. Run the dishwasher through one cycle.

Bathroom

Toilet: Replace toilet seats and covers. They’re an inexpensive way to ensure a clean, fresh start.

Surfaces: Wipe down every surface, including medicine cabinets, with a disinfectant spray.

General

Sage your home: Give your new home a blank slate by saging, which is said to clear negative energy that may be lingering in a space. Place the sage in a clay bowl, or on another heatproof surface, and light it with a match. Give the sage a few minutes to build up a nice smoke before you start cleaning your new home.

Take pictures: Before you unpack, take photos and/or videos of the entire home, including pre-existing holes or damages.

It’s no secret that moving is stressful. Chances are, your to-do list is already pretty full, what with decluttering, packing, and planning before the big moving day. If time is of the essence, you can always hire a professional green cleaning service to do your pre- and post-move cleaning.

This article was written by GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning, an award-winning, green eco-friendly cleaning services company in New York City. Since 2006, GreenHouse has been making homes and offices safer, healthier, and of course, cleaner — all without the use of dangerous chemicals.