The moving process is stressful enough without worrying about getting your security deposit back. You should consider hiring a professional cleaning company if you want to save time and check off the cleaning portion on your moving checklist.

You can expect to pay between $200 and $400* for move-out cleaning services, but hiring professional cleaners will ensure your place is clean before you move out. In this article, we’ll explain what goes into move-out cleaning costs and identify some of the benefits of hiring professional cleaners.

*All cost data in this article is from HomeAdvisor and Fixr.

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What Is Move-Out Cleaning?

Professional house cleaning services often have a separate pricing structure for move-in or move-out cleaning since they’re different from standard house cleaning. Below are a few components to think about regarding a move-out clean.

Landlord’s Cleaning Expectations

Landlords may have different expectations when it comes to what counts as clean, but the basics should be in your lease or rental agreement. In fact, you’ve probably been required to do some basic cleaning throughout the duration of your lease to prevent damage to the property. Here are common standards for tenant cleaning responsibilities:

• Maintaining appliances
• Preventing excessive dirt buildup on all surfaces
• Preventing mold growth
• Preventing or repairing pet damage
• Preventing rust and grime buildup
• Taking out the trash

A move-out cleaning addresses areas of your rental that may not receive regular cleaning and involves a higher standard of cleanliness.

Returning a Property to Initial Condition

Most lease agreements require the tenant to return the property to the same state it was when they moved in. A landlord can subtract from the security deposit or cleaning deposit to pay for professional cleaning if a tenant doesn’t follow through on this portion of the lease. You can avoid losing part of your security deposit by prioritizing cleaning parts of the home you wouldn’t normally clean, including walls, doors, baseboards, trim, molding, and window frames. Essentially, the place needs to look as close to brand-new as possible before you move.

Deep Cleaning vs. Standard Cleaning

A standard home cleaning addresses items that normally get dirty, such as floors, windows, sinks, countertops, and bathrooms. Dusting, sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming are standard cleaning tasks that can help maintain these areas. A deeper cleaning typically includes the following tasks:

• Carpet cleaning or steaming
• Cleaning behind appliances
• Cleaning blinds and drapes
• Disinfecting surfaces
• Dusting vents, fixtures, and cabinet tops
• Scrubbing of mineral scale and grout in tubs and showers

A deep cleaning tends to take longer, but it’s usually only necessary a few times a year. A move-out cleaning may actually be easier and quicker than a standard deep clean because there are no furniture or personal items that get in the way.

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Cleaning Requirements by State

The laws regarding security deposits and how landlords can use them vary by state. For example, security deposits can go toward move-out cleaning costs in California and Colorado. Other states don’t specify how to use a security deposit, but landlords in all states can use a deposit to cover costs incurred by breaches of a lease.

You could be on the hook for move-out cleaning service costs if you don’t meet your landlord’s standards. Here’s an overview of security deposit requirements in the most populous states:

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Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Cleaning vs. Professional Cleaning

DIY cleaning may make more sense than hiring a professional cleaner or vice versa. Here’s a look at the benefits and drawbacks of each type of cleaning:

Pros and Cons of DIY Cleaning

Pros and Cons of Professional Cleaning

Average Cost of Professional Cleaning

Pricing for professional cleaning packages is dependent on your home size and the breadth of services you purchase. According to Fixr, standard move-out cleaning usually costs $0.20–$0.45 per square foot or $30–$250 per hour. However, other factors like home type, where you live, and the cleanliness of your home can affect these house cleaning prices.

Cost by Home Size

Larger homes will cost more to clean and take longer to clean than smaller homes. Here’s how the above rate per square foot breaks down for homes and apartments of various sizes:

Cost by Home Type

House cleaning costs are typically based on the square footage or number of bedrooms rather than your home type. Here are some approximate cleaning prices for various-sized houses and apartments according to Fixr:

Cost by Services Performed

Basic move-out cleaning typically includes vacuuming and mopping floors, dusting, wiping down surfaces, and cleaning walls and doors. Other add-on services, such as window cleaning and wood polishing, tend to come with a surcharge, but the pricing specifics will vary by company. Here are some average costs for these additional services as per Fixr:

Regional Cost Variations

Professional move-out cleaning services will be more expensive in areas where the cost of living is higher. Some cleaning companies may offer deals and discounts in these areas, so ask if there are any available promotions when comparing cleaning providers.

Condition of the Home

Some cleaning services will charge a flat fee based on the size of your home. This fee may increase if extensive cleaning is required to get the property back to move-in standards. Professional cleaners may have to tackle more grime, stains, and other damage that require more time to resolve if you haven’t kept up with regular cleaning throughout your lease.

Additionally, if cleaners need to spend a great deal of time moving furniture out of the way, they may charge more. This is more common if the company charges an hourly rate.

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Supplies Needed for DIY Cleaning

You should create a detailed cleaning checklist complete with the tools and products you need to maximize your DIY cleaning time. Here are a few cleaning supplies you’ll need for the job:

• All-purpose cleaning spray
• Broom
• Disinfecting bathroom/kitchen cleaner
• Duster
• Dustpan
• Glass cleaner
• Latex gloves
• Magic Eraser
• Mop and bucket
• Paper towels, sponges, or microfiber cloths
• Toilet brush and cleanser
• Vacuum

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Cleaning Services Worth Hiring

Consider hiring specialists for certain tasks even if you can clean most items yourself. They’ll have access to better equipment and commercial cleaning products and can get the job done quickly.

Carpet Cleaning

All professional cleaning services should vacuum carpets, but not all will offer deep carpet cleaning, which may be necessary if your carpets are extremely dirty or have stubborn, set-in stains. Carpet steaming services tend to cost $75–$300 per room.

Junk Removal and Hauling

Moving is an excellent time to get rid of items you no longer use. A junk removal company is a great option if you want to save time, need help properly disposing of materials, and require assistance loading and transporting bulky items. In general, junk removal costs anywhere from $60–$150 for a single item to up to $800 for a full truckload. Most people pay between $200–$250 per load.

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Our Conclusion

Move-out cleaning is well within the skill set of most homeowners and renters, but it’s often a huge hassle in the context of the rest of the moving process. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service for the best chance of getting your full security deposit back. These pros can get the job done within a few hours and help you pass a landlord’s inspection with flying colors.

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FAQ About Move-Out Cleaning Cost

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