The Ultimate Portland Move-Out Cleaning Checklist [Printable, 2025]"

The Ultimate Portland Move-Out Cleaning Checklist [Printable, 2025]

Moving is stressful enough without worrying about whether the place will pass a landlord inspection. This Portland move-out cleaning checklist walks you through everything—room by room—so you can hand over the keys with confidence and protect your deposit. It’s built from what our Golden Broom crews see owners and property managers look for most during tenant turnovers across the Portland metro.

What You’ll Need (Gather Before You Start)

• Microfiber cloths (color-coded if possible)
• Scrub pads (non-scratch) + detail brushes (grout/crevice)
• All-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, degreaser, disinfectant
• Mineral deposit remover (for Portland’s common hard-water spots)
• Baking soda + white vinegar (sink/deodorizing helpers)
• Magic-eraser style pad (for walls/doors—test first)
• Mop & bucket, vacuum with crevice tools, broom & dustpan
• Trash bags, recycling/compost bins, box for donations
• Optional: oven cleaner (or self-clean cycle), stainless polish

48–72 Hours Before You Hand Over Keys

• Schedule final trash/recycling runs and donation drop-offs
• Patch small nail holes; touch up with matching paint if allowed
• Defrost refrigerator/freezer (put towels under)
• Run self-clean cycle on oven or apply oven cleaner overnight
• Soak stove grates/hood filters in hot, soapy water
• Wash removable light fixture covers and vent covers
• Launder or replace shower curtain liners (if staying with unit)

Room-by-Room Move-Out Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen (High-Inspection Area)

• Fridge: Empty, remove shelves/bins, wash with warm soapy water; wipe gaskets; pull unit forward (if safe) and sweep/mop behind.
• Freezer: Defrost; wipe ice residue; dry thoroughly.
• Oven/Stovetop: Clean interior (racks too), door glass, and control panel; degrease burners, drip pans, or glass top; scrub grates & knobs.
• Range Hood: Degrease exterior; wash or replace filter.
• Microwave: Clean interior/turntable; wipe exterior & vents.
• Cabinets/Drawers: Empty; vacuum crumbs; wipe interiors & fronts; clean hardware; don’t forget toe-kicks.
• Countertops/Backsplash: Degrease; remove mineral spots near sink; sanitize handles.
• Sink & Disposal: Scrub basin, faucet, and sprayer; run ice/lemon or baking soda + hot water through disposal.
• Dishwasher: Clean filter & gasket; run a hot cycle with dishwasher cleaner or vinegar.
• Floors: Vacuum edges; mop, focusing on under-appliance lines and corners.

Bathroom(s)

• Shower/Tub: Remove soap scum, grout haze, and hard-water spots; polish fixtures.
• Toilet: Clean bowl, seat/hinges, base, and behind the tank; disinfect handle.
• Vanity/Sink: Empty & wipe interiors; polish tops & hardware; clean mirror (streak-free).
• Vent Fan: Dust or wash cover; gently vacuum the intake.
• Floors: Edge vacuum; mop; check behind doors & around bases.
• Extras: Replace exhausted bulbs; remove hair from drains; wash towel bars & hooks.

Bedrooms & Living Areas

• Dust High to Low: Ceiling corners, fans, lights, vents, window frames/sills, blinds.
• Walls/Doors/Trim: Spot clean scuffs; wipe switch plates & door handles.
• Closets: Empty; vacuum shelves & floors; wipe tracks and rails.
• Windows (Interior): Glass cleaned; tracks & locks wiped; screens dusted (if removable).
• Floors: Vacuum edges/baseboards; mop hard surfaces; slow pass on carpet for debris pickup.

Laundry/Utility

• Washer: Clean gasket & detergent drawer; run hot cycle with washer cleaner.
• Dryer: Empty lint trap; vacuum lint cavity & behind unit (if accessible).
• Water Heater/HVAC Closet: Dust surfaces; wipe easy-reach areas; don’t adjust settings unless instructed.

Entry/Patio/Garage (If Applicable)

• Entry: Clean door, jambs, peephole & hardware; sweep/mop threshold.
• Patio/Balcony: Sweep; remove cobwebs; wipe railings; remove personal items.
• Garage/Storage: Sweep out; remove all items; wipe light switches.
• Exterior Cobwebs: Knock down around door lights (within safe reach).

Final 24-Hour Shine Pass (The “Landlord Lens”)

• Run a left-to-right, top-to-bottom scan of each room.
• Turn on all lights; look for streaks on glass, missed edges on floors, and dust on baseboards.
• Open/close every cabinet & drawer to catch crumbs or drips.
• Smell check: neutral, not perfumed—ventilate if needed.
• Photograph each room for your records after cleaning.

Pro Tips for Portland Homes

• Hard-Water Marks: Use a mineral deposit remover on glass & fixtures; rinse well to avoid clouding.
• Rain/Mud Entry: Focus extra time on entry mats, door thresholds, and floor edges near sliders.
• Pet Households: Run a slow vacuum pass with a crevice tool along baseboard edges; lint-roll lamp shades and soft furniture if they’re staying.

When to Book a Professional Move-Out Clean

Consider bringing in a pro if:

• You have post-construction dust, heavy grease build-up, or strong odors.
• You’re short on time and need a same-day turnover for a property manager.
• You want a documented, checklist-based service to support deposit discussions.

Golden Broom Cleaning Co. offers move-out cleaning across the Portland metro with add-ons like inside oven/fridge, cabinet interiors, window tracks, and baseboard/detail packages. We can also time our visit after your movers so the place is spotless for handoff.

Sample “Add-On” Items Landlords Love

• Inside oven, fridge, and cabinets
• Window tracks, blinds, and interior glass detail
• Baseboard scrub, door/trim touch-ups, vent/return cover washing
• Spot treatment for hard-water and glass mineral deposits
• Garage sweep-out and patio/balcony refresh

FAQs

Q1: How long does a move-out cleaning take?
For a typical 2-bed/1-bath apartment, DIY can run 4–6 hours if you follow the full checklist. Professional teams usually finish faster (often 2–4 hours, depending on add-ons and condition) because multiple cleaners work the space in sequence.

Q2: Do I need to clean carpets before I move?
Check your lease. Many landlords require carpets to be professionally cleaned (and sometimes deodorized) at move-out. If carpets are heavily soiled or have pet accidents, professional hot-water extraction is usually worth it—save the receipt for proof.

Q3: What’s the difference between a standard clean and a move-out clean?
A standard clean maintains surfaces you touch every week (bathrooms, kitchen, dust, floors). A move-out clean adds interiors (fridge/oven/cabinets), baseboards, door/trim, blinds, window tracks, and detail work behind/under items—aimed at a landlord inspection, not just day-to-day living.

Need help crossing this off your list?

Book Golden Broom’s Move-Out Cleaning—we’ll follow a room-by-room SOP, handle the detail add-ons you choose, and deliver inspection-ready results across Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tigard, Gresham, and nearby cities.