Quick answer: Before you hand back the keys, empty the unit, then clean top to bottom: inside the fridge, oven and cabinets, the stovetop, the bathroom fixtures, walls, switches, baseboards and floors. Remove tape and hooks, take out all garbage, photograph every room and return every key. Ontario only asks for ordinary cleanliness, not a professional clean.
Use the room-by-room list below on moving day, or print this page and tick items off as you go. If you want the rules behind it, read our guide on whether tenants have to clean when moving out in Ontario. This is general information, not legal advice.
The move-out cleaning checklist, room by room
Kitchen
- Empty and wipe inside every cabinet and drawer.
- Clean inside the fridge and freezer, including shelves and door bins. If it is switched off, leave the door ajar.
- Degrease the stovetop, range hood and the inside of the oven.
- Wipe the microwave and dishwasher inside and out.
- Clean the counters, backsplash, sink and taps.
Bathrooms
- Scrub the toilet, including the base and behind it.
- Remove soap scum from the tub, shower walls, doors and taps.
- Clean the sink, mirror and the vanity inside and out.
- Dust the exhaust fan cover and light fixtures.
Bedrooms, living areas and closets
- Empty closets and wipe the shelves and rods.
- Dust light fixtures, window sills and the tops of door frames.
- Spot-clean marks on walls and doors, and wipe light switches and handles.
- Take down hooks, tape and window film you put up.
Whole unit and outside
- Wipe the baseboards, then vacuum edge to edge and mop the hard floors.
- Clean the inside of the windows and the tracks.
- Empty the balcony, locker, porch and driveway, and take out all garbage and recycling.
- Make sure the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in place and not damaged.
Before you leave
- Take dated photos or a video of every room, plus your meter readings if you pay utilities.
- Walk through with your landlord and compare against any move-in checklist.
- Return every key and fob, and leave a forwarding address.
Why does a move-out clean take longer than a regular clean?
Once the furniture is gone, everything that was hidden is on show: dust behind the couch, grease beside the stove, marks where the bed touched the wall. Inside cabinets, closets and appliances also need cleaning, and these are rarely part of a weekly tidy. In GTA condos, elevator bookings and same-day move-ins squeeze the time you have, so a plan matters.
Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board says tenants must keep the unit to “ordinary or normal cleanliness” and repair or pay for damage they or their guests cause. Normal wear and tear, like a carpet worn down by years of use, is not your cost.
How to work through the checklist step by step
You need all-purpose cleaner, a degreaser, a bathroom cleaner, microfibre cloths, a scrub brush, gloves, a vacuum, a mop and garbage bags. Plan on several hours for an apartment and most of a day for a house.
- Start empty. Clean after the movers leave, not around boxes.
- Soak first. Spray the oven and stovetop with degreaser and the shower with bathroom cleaner, then let them sit while you do the cabinets.
- Go top to bottom. Fixtures and shelves first, walls next, floors last, so dust only falls onto surfaces you have not cleaned yet.
- Finish one room at a time. Close each door when it is done.
- Document it. Take your photos straight after the floors dry.
Safety: Health Canada says never mix bleach with any other cleaning product, including vinegar or anything with ammonia, because it can release toxic gases. Open windows, run the exhaust fans, wear gloves, and test cleaners on a hidden spot first.
What move-out mistakes should you avoid?
- Leaving the oven and fridge to the end, when you are tired.
- Forgetting the balcony, locker or parking spot.
- Peeling off tape or hooks fast enough to take paint with them.
- Scrubbing finishes with abrasive pads and causing scratches.
- Handing back the keys without photos.
When is DIY not enough?
A professional move-out clean makes sense when you are moving the same day you need to be in the new place, when there is years of grease or soap scum, or when the home is a large house with several bathrooms. Some problems need someone else: leaks, pests or mould that keeps coming back should go to your landlord in writing, because repairs are their job. If there is a dispute about money, a community legal clinic or the Landlord and Tenant Board can explain your options.
How The Clean Leaf handles move-out cleaning
Our move in / move out clean covers everything in a deep clean plus the inside of cabinets, drawers, closets, the fridge and the oven, with baseboards, door frames, light switches and floors edge to edge. It starts at $280 for a studio or 1 bedroom, $330 for 2 bedrooms, $450 for 3 bedrooms and $560 for 4 bedrooms, before 13% HST. Interior windows (from $59) and a balcony ($45) are add-ons. Full details are on our pricing page, and we confirm your exact price before we start.
We clean in Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Newmarket, Aurora, Barrie, Innisfil and Bradford. Tell us about any elevator booking or parking pass your building needs when you book.
DIY vs professional move-out cleaning
| Do it yourself | Professional clean | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Several hours to a full day | None of your time |
| Cost | Cleaning supplies | From $280 before 13% HST |
| Result | Good for a lightly used unit | Inside cabinets, closets and appliances, top to bottom |
| Best for | Small units and flexible dates | Tight timelines, larger homes, heavy build-up |
How to prevent a big move-out clean
- Wipe the stovetop and range hood every week so grease never sets.
- Squeegee or wipe the shower after use to stop soap scum building up.
- Clear out the fridge weekly and wipe spills right away.
- Use removable hooks and felt pads to protect walls and floors.
- Report leaks and mould to your landlord in writing as soon as you see them.
Frequently asked questions
What should be on a move-out cleaning checklist for tenants?
Inside the fridge, oven, cabinets and closets; the stovetop, counters and sink; the toilet, tub, shower and mirrors; walls, switches and baseboards; floors; the balcony and locker; garbage removal; photos of every room; and returning all keys.
Do I have to hire professional cleaners when I move out in Ontario?
No. Ontario tenants must leave the unit in ordinary or normal cleanliness and pay for damage they cause. A professional clean is a choice, not a legal requirement.
Do I need to clean the carpets before moving out?
Vacuum them thoroughly and spot-clean stains you caused. Carpet worn down by years of normal use is wear and tear, which tenants are not responsible for.
How long does a move-out clean take?
Plan on several hours for an apartment and most of a day for a larger house, because every cabinet, closet and appliance is cleaned inside.
How much notice do I need to give before moving out in Ontario?
For a monthly tenancy or at the end of a lease, tenants generally give at least 60 days’ written notice, usually on the Landlord and Tenant Board’s Form N9.
Book your move-out clean
Rather spend moving day on the move? Book through our Get a Quote form or call (249) 468-7977. We clean Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
Sources
- Landlord and Tenant Board: Information for New Tenants
- Landlord and Tenant Board: A Guide to the Residential Tenancies Act
- Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Housing Help: Leaving a rental unit checklist (PDF)
- CAA North & East Ontario: apartment move-out checklist
- Toronto Metropolitan University: moving out of a place
- Health Canada: never mix bleach with other cleaning products
