Room by room
The checklist
Living room
- Vacuum carpet and clean any visible spots or spills
- Wipe baseboards, window sills and light switches
- Dust blinds and the tops of door frames
- Remove nails, hooks and wall anchors; patch small holes
Bedrooms
- Vacuum carpet edges and closets thoroughly
- Clean inside closets and remove any shelving marks
- Wipe down walls where furniture sat
Kitchen
- Degrease stove, oven, range hood and backsplash
- Empty and wipe refrigerator and freezer
- Clean sink, faucet and garbage disposal area
- Sweep and mop floors, including under appliances if possible
Bathroom
- Scrub tub, shower, tiles and grout
- Clean toilet inside and out
- Wipe mirror, vanity and fixtures
- Mop floor and clean exhaust fan cover
Carpet & upholstery
The spots that cost renters the most
In our experience, the biggest security-deposit deductions come from carpet and upholstery. If any of these apply to your unit, a professional cleaning is usually cheaper than losing part of your deposit:
- Traffic lanes near entryways and hallways
- Pet stains or odors that have set in
- Food and drink spills in dining areas
- Dark spots under furniture feet
- Any discoloration from previous tenants