July and August are the busiest moving months in the Atlanta metro, between lease turnovers and families trying to get settled before the school year starts. If you’re one of them, this move-in or move-out cleaning checklist covers exactly what needs attention before the keys change hands, room by room.
Why a Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning Checklist Looks Different From a Regular Cleaning
A standard biweekly visit maintains a home that’s already lived in and mostly picked up. A move-out clean has to undo months or years of daily life in an empty house, and a move-in clean has to get a space ready before your furniture and boxes show up. Both take longer and go deeper than a routine visit, which is why they’re booked as their own service.
Kitchen
- Wipe down and sanitize countertops, backsplash, and cabinet exteriors
- Clean inside and outside the microwave
- Wipe down the exterior of the fridge, stove, and range hood, and the stove top, burners, and knobs
- Empty and wipe down the trash can
- Sweep and mop floors
- Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans
Bathrooms
- Scrub and disinfect the toilet, sink, tub, and shower
- Clean mirrors and light fixtures
- Wipe down cabinet exteriors
- Sweep and mop floors
- Empty and wipe down the trash can
Living Areas and Bedrooms
- Vacuum, sweep, or mop all flooring
- Dust surfaces, baseboards, and window sills
- Wipe down doorknobs and switch plates
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Spot-clean marks on walls where possible
What’s Not Included
Move cleans cover the surfaces above, but a few things fall outside the scope of a standard move-in/move-out booking: heavy lifting or moving furniture and appliances, exterior windows, and carpet or floor deep cleaning like steam cleaning or waxing. If your lease requires professional carpet cleaning specifically, that’s a separate specialty service to book on its own.
Booking Tips for a Smooth Move Clean
The home needs to be empty, with the power and water still on, and no other work (movers, painters, contractors) happening at the same time as the crew. If the home is particularly dirty or hasn’t been cleaned in a while, you may also need to add a First Time Clean so the crew has enough time to do it right. If you’re moving because you’re selling, cleaning before listing covers a lot of the same ground and is worth booking together if the timing overlaps.
FAQ
How far in advance should I book a move-out clean?
As soon as you know your move-out date. Summer books up fastest in Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, and the rest of the metro, so booking a week or two ahead gives you more flexibility on timing.
Do you clean carpets as part of a move-out clean?
No. We vacuum carpeted floors thoroughly, but steam cleaning or deep carpet cleaning isn’t part of the service. If your lease requires it, that’s booked separately with a carpet specialist.
Can I book a move clean if the previous tenants haven’t moved out yet?
The home needs to be empty when the crew arrives, so schedule the clean for after the old move-out and before your move-in if possible.
What if I only need certain rooms cleaned?
Move cleans are priced by the size of the home, since common areas and every room typically need attention during a move. If you only need specific areas handled, our hourly booking option might be a better fit, just reach out and we’ll figure out what works.
Moving this summer? Book your move-in or move-out clean online and get an instant price based on your home’s size.
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