Move-out cleaning checklist room by room: everything to include before handover

A move-out cleaning must deliver the home completely clean and empty, so the next owner has nothing to complain about upon handover. In practice, this means every surface is cleaned inside and out: cupboards and drawers emptied and washed, the oven and stove grease-free, the bathroom free of limescale, windows streak-free, and baseboards and frames dust-free. If you hire professional help, the price depends on the size and condition, and the binding price is stated in the quote you receive – published figures are only a guide. If you do the cleaning yourself, set aside a full working day or two.

Below you will find a room-by-room checklist. Take it room by room, check items off as you go, and start with what takes the longest – the oven and the bathroom.

Why is move-out cleaning so important at handover?

In a property transaction, the seller must deliver the home "cleared and cleaned". If it is not, the buyer can withhold money, demand a re-clean, or deduct it from the settlement. Most disputes revolve around the same things: an oven with burnt-on grease, limescale on the shower wall, or dust on top of door frames. Take care of those details, and you will avoid most complaints.

Remember that the home must be cleaned when it is empty. Clean with the furniture still inside, and you will have to redo half of it.

Kitchen: start here, it takes the longest

The kitchen is the room buyers inspect most thoroughly, and the oven is where people look inside first.

What is actually included depends on the service you order. The list here is a typical starting point, not a definitive answer. Certain tasks – such as cleaning the oven, windows, balcony, or appliances – may be add-ons that you must order separately and are not automatically included in all assignments. What applies to your assignment is stated in your quote and order confirmation. If you are in doubt about whether something is included, ask us before the cleaning day.

1. Empty all cupboards and drawers, wash inside and outside, including handles and the top of upper cupboards.
2. Clean the oven inside – rack, baking sheets, and glass. Use oven cleaner on burnt-on grease and leave it to work for 20-30 minutes.
3. Clean the stovetop, and lift off the plates/grates if you have gas or induction with removable parts.
4. Clean the extractor hood outside and replace or wash the grease filter. A greasy filter is a classic cause for complaint.
5. Pull out the fridge and freezer, defrost, wash inside, and clean the back and the floor underneath.
6. Wash the countertop, tiles above the counter and the grout, and the drain in the sink.
7. Clean the dishwasher: filter, rubber seal, and door edge.
8. Finish by wiping down baseboards, outlets, switches, and the floor.

Bathroom: limescale, grout, and drains are key

The bathroom is the second most time-consuming room. Here lie two things most people forget: limescale on glass and tiles, and hair in the drain.

1. Remove limescale on shower walls, faucets, and tiles using an acidic limescale remover (vinegar works on light limescale). However, never use vinegar or acidic limescale remover on natural stone such as marble, granite, slate, or terrazzo – the acid will etch the stone permanently. Use a pH-neutral product suitable for stone there.
2. Scrub the grout around the shower and bathtub – use a toothbrush and a little chlorine-based product on discolored silicone. Never use chlorine-based products and vinegar/acidic limescale remover at the same time or right after each other on the same surface – the mixture creates toxic chlorine gas. Rinse the surface thoroughly with water and let it dry before switching products.
3. Clean the drain trap and drain: remove hair and sludge, both in the shower and under the sink.
4. Wash the toilet inside and out, including behind the bowl and the floor fixings.
5. Polish mirrors, glass shelves, and shower doors until streak-free.
6. Empty and wash bathroom cabinets and medicine cabinets inside.
7. Wash the washing machine drawer, rubber seal, and filter if the machine is included.
8. Wipe baseboards, door frames, and vents, and wash the floor last.

Bedroom: simple, but do not skip the details

1. Dust window sills, curtain rods, and the tops of wardrobes.
2. Empty and wash the wardrobe inside, including shelves and pegs.
3. Wash windows on the inside (and outside where accessible).
4. Clean baseboards, outlets, switches, and light points.
5. Vacuum and wash the floor, including into corners and under where the bed was placed.

Living room: surfaces, corners, and what you do not see daily

1. Dust everywhere, including on top of door frames, baseboards, and heaters.
2. Wash windows inside and outside, and polish the window sills.
3. Clean radiators and electric heaters – dust accumulates between the fins.
4. Wipe switches, power outlets, and any recessed spotlights.
5. Wash the floor thoroughly, including under where the sofa and shelving unit stood.

Windows: how to avoid streaks

Dirty or streaky windows ruin an otherwise good impression. Clean on an overcast day – sun dries the water too quickly and leaves streaks. Use a squeegee and wipe down with a clean microfiber cloth at the end. Remember the inside of the frame and the track where the window closes, where dirt and dead insects gather. If you want a thorough method, see how to clean windows without streaks.

Baseboards, door frames, and what people forget

These are the details that determine whether the cleaning looks "professional".

1. Wipe all floor baseboards and ceiling moldings with a damp cloth.
2. Wash doors on both sides, and especially the top edge of the door leaf.
3. Clean door frames and door handles – handles quickly get sticky.
4. Wipe light switches and power outlets with a well wrung-out cloth (not wet).
5. Brush or dust vents and exhaust grilles.

Storage room, garage, and common areas

1. Empty the storage room completely, sweep, and wash the floor.
2. Wipe shelves and walls where there is dust or cobwebs.
3. Sweep the garage floor and remove oil stains with a degreaser.
4. Remember any common areas you have access to, such as a basement storage room or attic storage room.
5. Empty the mailbox and remove old name tags.

How long does a move-out cleaning take?

The time spent depends on the size and how dirty the home is. The table below is a rough estimate for one adult cleaning thoroughly:

The oven, bathroom, and windows typically take half the time. If there are two of you, you can almost halve the total time if you split the rooms between you.

When should you hire a professional?

If you do the cleaning yourself, you save NOK 4,000-6,000, but you spend a full day or two – often in the middle of a stressful move. Hire a professional if you are short on time, the home is large or very dirty, or you want a guarantee that the handover goes smoothly. Many agencies will re-clean for free if the buyer complains within an agreed deadline.

If you order, check that the company has a legal status in the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's Renholdsregisteret. It is illegal to purchase cleaning services from a business without such status – read more about legal cleaning help and Renholdsregisteret. If you want to know what a move-out cleaning actually costs, read the guide on what move-out cleaning costs.

At Vaskeladden, we offer move-out cleaning in several Norwegian cities, and use a thorough checklist on every assignment so your home passes the handover.