Start here: Review the lease, sale agreement or property-manager instructions first. Their written requirements matter more than a generic checklist, and professional cleaning does not guarantee the return of a security deposit.
Before Cleaning Begins
- Remove furniture, boxes, food and personal belongings
- Finish patching, painting and contractor work
- Dispose of trash and unwanted items
- Defrost and empty appliances if required
- Confirm whether utilities will remain on
- Photograph existing damage separately from cleaning issues
- Collect keys, access instructions and parking information
Kitchen Checklist
- Clean inside and outside of the refrigerator
- Clean oven interior, racks, stovetop and range hood
- Wipe inside cabinets and drawers
- Clean cabinet fronts, pulls and backsplash
- Scrub sink and polish fixtures
- Wipe counters and reachable ledges
- Remove food and liners
- Vacuum and mop the floor, including exposed appliance areas
Bathrooms, Bedrooms & Living Areas
- Clean toilets, showers, tubs, sinks and mirrors
- Remove soap residue and visible scale
- Wipe vanities, cabinets and fixtures
- Clean closets, shelving and empty drawers
- Dust reachable trim, doors and baseboards
- Clean interior windows, sills and tracks where included
- Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors
- Remove all trash and final loose debris
Plan the Final Walkthrough
Cleaning should be complete early enough to inspect the property in daylight and correct anything missed. Walk room by room with the written requirements instead of relying on memory.
Keep dated photographs and the cleaning invoice with the move records. If the property has damage, carpet replacement, pests or maintenance issues, those should be addressed separately from ordinary cleaning.
This checklist is practical cleaning guidance, not legal advice. Lease terms, property policies and Maryland law determine the responsibilities attached to a specific tenancy.