Key takeaways
- Most move-out cleans cost about $200–$600 for an average-sized apartment or small home, but larger homes or heavy cleaning can run $600–$1,000+.
- Landlords care most about “ready to rent” condition: clean kitchen and appliances, bathrooms, floors, walls, and no trash or strong odors.
- DIY cleaning can save hundreds, but it takes time, energy, and supplies—and missed details can cost you part of your deposit.
- Professional move-out cleaning is deeper than regular cleaning, often including inside appliances, cabinets, baseboards, and sometimes light wall marks.
- Repairs are separate from cleaning: carpet stains, nail holes, and damage may need patching or replacement, not just scrubbing.
- Written checklists and photos protect you: document before-and-after so you can dispute unfair deposit deductions.
- Get 2–3 quotes from reputable cleaners—prices and what’s included can vary a lot. You can use Home Services Scout to quickly compare local move-out cleaning pros.
Typical price range
All numbers below are approximate US ballpark ranges for residential move-out cleaning. Actual costs vary based on home size, condition, region, and what’s included.
Common move-out cleaning scenarios
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Studio / small 1-bedroom (lightly lived-in):
$150–$250 for a basic move-out clean if the place is already fairly tidy and you’ve removed most belongings. -
Average 1–2 bedroom apartment/condo:
$200–$400 for a standard move-out clean including kitchen, bathrooms, floors, and surfaces. -
3–4 bedroom single-family home:
$300–$600 for a fuller clean, especially if there are multiple bathrooms, stairs, and larger square footage. -
Large home (4+ bedrooms, 3+ baths):
$500–$900+ depending on size, pets, and level of buildup. -
“Deep” or heavily soiled move-out clean:
Add $100–$400+ if there’s heavy grease, soap scum, pet hair/odor, or long-term buildup on walls and baseboards. -
Add-on services (often priced separately):
- Carpet cleaning: $40–$80 per room or $150–$350 for the whole home.
- Inside oven + fridge (if not included): $25–$75 each.
- Inside windows: $5–$10 per window or bundled in a package.
- Garage, patio, or balcony sweep/clean: $25–$100+ depending on size.
- Trash/junk removal: $50–$300+ depending on volume.
What pushes costs lower
- Smaller space: Studios and small 1-bedrooms take less time.
- You’ve pre-cleaned: If you’ve already wiped surfaces and removed obvious grime.
- Minimal appliances and furniture: Fewer items to work around or clean.
- No pets or smokers: Less hair, dander, and odor to deal with.
- Simple layout: Open floor plans are faster to clean than lots of small rooms.
What pushes costs higher
- Heavy buildup: Greasy kitchens, thick soap scum, or long-ignored dust.
- Pet hair and odors: Extra vacuuming, deodorizing, and stain treatment.
- Smoker’s home: Nicotine film on walls, ceilings, and fixtures.
- High ceilings or lots of blinds: More ladder work and detail cleaning.
- Last-minute or rush jobs: Short notice often costs more.
- Add-on services: Carpet shampooing, appliance interiors, window washing, or exterior spaces.
Cleaning vs. repairing or replacing
Move-out cleaning can make a home look dramatically better—but it can’t fix everything. Knowing the difference helps you avoid surprises on your deposit.
When cleaning is usually enough
- Light wall marks and scuffs:
Magic-eraser-type sponges and mild cleaners often remove shoe scuffs and fingerprints. - Surface stains on counters and sinks:
Many stains come up with the right cleaner and some elbow grease. - Minor fridge and oven grime:
A thorough scrub and degreaser can make appliances look “rent-ready.”
Rule of thumb: If it’s dirt, dust, grease, or mild discoloration, cleaning is usually the answer.
When repair or replacement is more realistic
- Deep carpet stains or burns:
Cleaning helps, but red wine, pet urine, or burns may need patching or full carpet replacement. - Chipped or peeling paint:
Cleaning won’t fix flaking or missing paint—this may need touch-up painting. - Broken fixtures or hardware:
Cracked blinds, broken towel bars, or damaged doors require repair or replacement, not just cleaning. - Water damage or mold:
Stains from leaks or active mold growth are beyond basic cleaning and may need a specialist.
A simple cost example
Imagine your landlord charges:
- $300 for a professional move-out clean if you leave it dirty, and
- You can hire your own cleaner for $220, or DIY with $40 of supplies and a Saturday afternoon.
If you’re confident you can meet their standards, spending $220 on your own pro or $40 + time on DIY can save you $80–$260 versus letting the landlord handle it and deduct from your deposit.
On the other hand, if there’s damaged carpet and the landlord’s estimate is $600 to replace, no amount of cleaning will change that. In that case, you might focus on doing a solid cleaning to avoid additional charges and accept that some damage costs are unavoidable.
Efficiency and long-term costs
Even though you’re moving out, how you clean now can affect your wallet and your next place.
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Deposit protection:
A thorough move-out clean can save hundreds in deposit deductions, especially for kitchens, baths, and carpets. -
Avoiding “cleaning plus repair” charges:
When a landlord has to hire both a cleaner and someone to fix preventable issues (like caked-on oven grease that damages finish), costs can stack up quickly. -
Smart product choices:
- Gentle cleaners on surfaces: Avoid harsh abrasives on countertops, appliances, and floors that can cause damage and extra charges.
- Correct tools: Microfiber cloths, non-scratch scrubbers, and proper floor cleaners reduce the risk of scratches or dulling finishes.
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Time vs. money trade-off:
- DIY deep clean: Lower cash cost, higher time and energy cost.
- Professional move-out clean: Higher upfront cost, but often faster, more thorough, and better aligned with what landlords expect.
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Future rentals and references:
Leaving a place in excellent condition can make it easier to get positive references and faster approvals for your next rental.
What to expect from a move-out cleaning project
Before the pro arrives
- Clear the space (1–3 hours, DIY):
- Remove all personal items, trash, and furniture you’re taking.
- Empty cabinets, drawers, and closets.
- Do a quick pre-check (30–60 minutes):
- Walk through with your lease or landlord’s checklist.
- Note any damage vs. dirt so you know what cleaning can actually fix.
- Confirm details with the cleaner (10–15 minutes):
- Square footage, number of rooms/baths.
- What’s included (inside oven, fridge, cabinets, windows, etc.).
- Access instructions and parking.
Typical professional move-out cleaning visit
Most full move-out cleans take 2–6 hours, depending on size and condition, and may involve 1–3 cleaners.
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Arrival and walkthrough (10–20 minutes):
- Review scope and any problem areas (oven, shower, stains).
- Confirm add-ons and final price if not already set.
-
Kitchen (45–120 minutes):
- Clean countertops, backsplash, and sink.
- Wipe outside of cabinets; inside if included.
- Clean appliance exteriors; interiors of oven, fridge, and microwave if in scope.
- Degrease stovetop and range hood.
- Sweep and mop floors.
-
Bathrooms (30–90 minutes each, depending on buildup):
- Scrub and disinfect toilet, tub/shower, and sink.
- Clean mirrors, counters, and fixtures.
- Remove soap scum and mildew where possible.
- Sweep and mop floors.
-
Living areas and bedrooms (60–180 minutes total):
- Dust all surfaces, including baseboards and light fixtures (within reach).
- Wipe doors, doorframes, and reachable wall marks.
- Vacuum carpets and rugs; sweep and mop hard floors.
- Clean inside closets and shelves if included.
-
Final touches (15–30 minutes):
- Spot-check missed areas.
- Take out any trash generated during cleaning.
- Optional: light deodorizing for pet or food odors.
If you add carpet cleaning
Carpet cleaning is often done after the main clean:
- Pre-vacuum (10–20 minutes).
- Spot treatment and stain removal (15–45 minutes).
- Machine cleaning (30–90 minutes).
- Drying time: 4–24 hours depending on method and ventilation.
DIY vs. hire a pro
Reasonable DIY tasks for many renters/homeowners
If you’re healthy, have the time, and are reasonably handy with cleaning tools, you can often handle:
- General dusting and wiping:
- Surfaces, baseboards, window sills, and doors.
- Basic kitchen cleaning:
- Wiping counters, cabinet fronts, and appliance exteriors.
- Light oven and fridge cleaning if not heavily soiled.
- Bathroom cleaning:
- Scrubbing toilets, sinks, tubs, and showers.
- Cleaning mirrors and fixtures.
- Floors:
- Vacuuming carpets and sweeping/mopping hard floors.
- Light wall touch-ups:
- Removing scuffs with gentle cleaners or eraser sponges.
- Trash and clutter removal:
- Taking out all garbage and recycling; removing hangers, nails, and hooks (if allowed by lease).
DIY is a good fit if:
- The home has been regularly cleaned.
- You have a full day or weekend to devote to it.
- You’re comfortable working with cleaning chemicals safely (ventilation, gloves, etc.).
Tasks better left to pros
Some tasks are time-consuming, physically demanding, or easy to get wrong, which can cost you more in the long run.
- Heavy-duty oven and range hood cleaning:
- Thick grease and baked-on residue can be tough and may damage finishes if scrubbed incorrectly.
- Deep carpet cleaning and pet odor removal:
- Rental carpet machines can help, but pros often do a better job with stains and odors—especially for pet urine.
- Homes with strong smoke or pet odors:
- Odor removal may require specialized products and equipment.
- Very dirty or neglected spaces:
- If the home hasn’t been cleaned in months or years, pros can work faster and more effectively.
- High or hard-to-reach areas:
- Chandeliers, high shelves, or tall windows may require ladders and extra safety precautions.
Also, be cautious with:
- Using strong chemicals together:
Never mix products like bleach and ammonia—this can create dangerous fumes. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to bring in a professional.
When in doubt, hiring a pro for the dirtiest or most technical tasks and doing the simpler work yourself is a good middle-ground.
Questions to ask potential pros
- “What exactly is included in your move-out cleaning package?”
(Kitchen, appliances, inside cabinets, baseboards, windows, etc.) - “Do you charge by the hour or by the job, and what’s the estimated total?”
- “Are oven and fridge interiors included, or are they extra?”
- “Do you clean inside cabinets, drawers, and closets?”
- “Is carpet cleaning included, and if so, what method do you use?”
- “How long will the cleaning take, and how many cleaners will be on-site?”
- “What condition do you expect the home to be in when you arrive?”
(Empty of furniture, trash removed, utilities on, etc.) - “Do you bring your own supplies and equipment, and are they pet- and kid-safe?”
- “What happens if my landlord says something wasn’t cleaned well enough?”
(Any satisfaction guarantee or re-clean policy?) - “Are you insured, and how do you handle accidental damage?”
- “Can you provide a detailed receipt that I can show my landlord?”
Quick FAQ
How clean does my place really need to be to get my deposit back?
Most leases require “broom-clean” or “professionally cleaned” condition. In practice, that means no trash, no obvious dirt or grime, reasonably clean appliances and bathrooms, and floors vacuumed/mopped. It doesn’t have to look brand new, but it should be move-in ready for the next tenant.
Do I have to hire the landlord’s preferred cleaning company?
Usually no, unless your lease specifically requires it. You can typically choose your own cleaner as long as the home meets the landlord’s standards. Always read your lease and keep receipts and photos.
Will a professional move-out clean guarantee I get my full deposit back?
No cleaning service can guarantee your full deposit. Cleaning only addresses dirt and grime, not damage, excessive wear, or unpaid rent. A good move-out clean, though, can significantly reduce cleaning-related deductions.
When should I schedule the move-out cleaning?
Ideally, after you’ve fully moved out and a day or two before your final walkthrough. This gives cleaners full access and time for any touch-ups if needed.
Wrap-up and next steps
A solid move-out cleaning isn’t just about being polite—it’s about protecting your deposit, your rental history, and your peace of mind. Focus on the areas landlords scrutinize most: kitchen, bathrooms, floors, and visible surfaces. Decide what you can realistically handle yourself and where a professional move-out clean might be worth the cost.
For many renters and homeowners, spending $200–$600 on a thorough clean is a smart trade for avoiding larger deposit deductions and end-of-lease stress. Whatever route you choose, take before-and-after photos, save receipts, and walk through with your lease in hand.
If you’re considering hiring help, get 2–3 quotes so you can compare price, scope, and guarantees. A neutral directory like Home Services Scout makes it easy to compare local move-out cleaning pros side by side, read reviews, and find a good fit for your budget.
With a clear checklist, realistic expectations, and a bit of planning, you can leave your old place in great shape and move on to your next home with confidence.