Move-Out / Move-In Cleaning

Purpose

Define the move-out (or move-in) cleaning service - performed in an empty home, to a higher standard than deep cleaning, billed at 3 - 4x standard rate. The deliverable is "ready for the next occupant" or "ready to recover the security deposit" - a tighter standard than any furnished-home clean can produce. Customer dispute risk is high; documentation is everything.

Scope

Applies to:

• Rental property turnover cleans (between tenants)
• Owner-occupied move-out cleans (the seller has left; pre-buyer-walkthrough)
• Move-in cleans (the buyer has not yet occupied; deeper than standard cleans)
• Empty / vacant homes only - these are not for furnished homes

Excludes new construction post-build cleans (separate scope - drywall dust + specialty materials), and homes still being occupied (those are deep cleans + scope adjustments).

Responsibilities

• Dispatcher confirms empty-home status + access details at booking; flags any post-rental damage that needs photographing pre-clean
• Lead cleaner runs the protocol + photo-documents extensively
• Customer (or property manager) receives detailed photos + the field report

Procedure

Pre-clean walkthrough (15 minutes)

1. Walk every room with the camera. Photograph:

• Existing damage (carpet stains, holes in walls, broken fixtures) - clearly not your responsibility
• General condition pre-clean
• Anything left behind by previous occupant

1. Confirm what's included vs excluded with customer.

Whole-home (3 - 6 hours depending on size)

Everything from deep clean PLUS:

Inside all cabinets, drawers, closets

1. Empty every cabinet + drawer (verify empty after previous occupant)
2. Wipe interior of every cabinet + drawer with appropriate cleaner
3. Vacuum closet floors
4. Wipe closet shelving

Inside appliances (all)

1. Refrigerator - defrost if needed, empty + wash freezer, wash refrigerator interior, including drawers and door bins
2. Oven - full degrease (deep clean covers this; move-out goes harder)
3. Microwave - interior + exterior
4. Dishwasher - interior, including filter trap + door seal
5. Washer - drum, gasket on front-load (mildew typical)
6. Dryer - drum, lint trap housing (full inside, beyond what an annual service covers)

Windows

1. Interior window panes washed every window
2. Exterior panes where accessible from inside (reach + open)
3. Tracks vacuumed + wiped
4. Sills washed
5. Screens cleaned (rinse + dry; do not pressure wash)

Floors

1. Carpet - vacuum thoroughly, including edges + closets (carpet cleaning is typically a separate service unless customer added it)
2. Hard floors - sweep + mop, including under where appliances stood
3. Tile grout - scrub
4. Baseboards - wash, including behind where furniture stood

Bathrooms (extra-tight standard)

1. Tile grout deep-scrubbed
2. Caulking inspected - flag any failed caulk for the customer's record (it's the previous occupant's, not yours)
3. Toilet tank exterior + interior
4. Shower head + faucet aerators descaled
5. Mirrors streak-free

Other

1. Light fixtures - interior dust, bulbs replaced where customer supplied
2. Switch plates + outlet covers
3. Door frames + tops
4. Vents (supply + return) interior

Post-clean documentation

1. Photograph every room from same angle as pre-clean - the before/after comparison
2. Photograph inside every appliance after cleaning
3. Photograph inside cabinets + drawers
4. Final walkthrough with customer (if available) OR detailed email report

Acceptance Criteria

• Pre-clean + post-clean photos for every room + appliance + cabinet
• Visible improvement in every documented area
• Customer signs the field report
• Any flagged damage clearly attributed (pre-existing, not your work)

References

• ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard
• Local landlord-tenant laws on security-deposit cleaning standards (vary by state)
• Manuall internal: Deep Cleaning Service