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Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for Ottawa Homes
The best move out cleaning checklist for an Ottawa home works from the top down and the back to the front: empty every room first, clean ceilings, vents and cabinets, then do the floors last and leave through the front door. Plan on a full day for an average apartment, and finish before the final walkthrough.
Ottawa's rental and moving rhythm is busy around the end of each month, and a late-autumn or winter move adds salt, slush and dark afternoons. That means entry floors, closet floors and baseboards near the door usually need extra attention, and you will want to start early in the day while there is still natural light to spot streaks.
What belongs on a move out cleaning checklist in Ottawa?
Before you pick up a cloth, remove everything that is not part of the unit: furniture, boxes, hangers, leftover food and garbage. Cleaning around items wastes time. Then work in this order:
Top surfaces first: dust ceiling corners, light fixtures, vents and the tops of door frames so debris falls onto surfaces you have not cleaned yet.
Walls and doors: wipe scuffs and fingerprints around switches, door handles and door edges.
Kitchen and bathrooms: the rooms that take the most time and need the most attention.
Bedrooms and living areas: closets, shelves, windowsills and baseboards.
Floors last: vacuum or sweep, then wash, ending at the exit.
How do you clean the kitchen before moving out?
The kitchen is where most deposit disputes and walkthrough comments start, so give it the longest block of time.
Fridge and freezer: empty them, remove shelves and drawers, wash with warm soapy water and leave the doors open a few hours so they dry and do not smell.
Oven and stovetop: lift off burner grates and drip pans to soak, then wipe the oven interior and glass. For baked-on grease, use a paste of baking soda and water, leave it for 20 to 30 minutes and wipe it away.
Range hood and filter: degrease the filter in hot water with dish soap, since it collects the most visible grime.
Cabinets and drawers: wipe the inside, the outside and the handles; vacuum crumbs from corners first.
Sink, counters and backsplash: scrub the sink and faucet, then wipe the counters and the wall behind the stove.
Dishwasher and microwave: run an empty dishwasher cycle with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack, and wipe the microwave inside and out.
What should you clean in the bathroom and bedrooms?
Bathroom
Scrub the toilet bowl, the base and behind the seat, then wipe the tank and handle.
Remove soap scum and hard water marks from the tub, shower walls and glass; wipe the grout lines with a soft brush.
Clean the sink, faucet, mirror and medicine cabinet shelves, then empty and wipe the vanity drawers.
Wash the exhaust fan cover, because it is easy to miss and often dusty.
Bedrooms and living areas
Wipe closet shelves and rods, then vacuum the closet floor.
Wipe baseboards, window ledges and window tracks; a vacuum crevice tool pulls out most of the grit.
Clean interior glass with a lint-free cloth and a streak-free glass cleaner.
Dust radiators, baseboard heaters and vent covers.
Never mix cleaning products, especially bleach with ammonia or vinegar. On delicate surfaces such as natural stone or wood, test any cleaner in a hidden spot first and follow the manufacturer's label.
What do landlords usually check at the final walkthrough?
Every lease and landlord is different, so read your own lease first. In general, these are the spots people look at first, so check them before you hand over the keys:
Area | What gets checked | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
Oven and fridge | Grease, food residue, odours | Soak racks, wipe with baking soda paste |
Bathroom | Soap scum, mould-looking marks, toilet base | Warm soapy water and a soft brush |
Floors | Dirt in corners, salt marks near the entry | Vacuum edges first, then wash |
Walls and doors | Scuffs, fingerprints, switch plates | Damp cloth, gentle wipe |
Cabinets and closets | Crumbs, dust, sticky shelves | Vacuum, then wipe |
Take dated photos of every room once you are finished. They are useful if there is a disagreement about the condition of the unit later.
What supplies do you need for a move-out clean?
Microfibre cloths, a scrub sponge and a soft brush
A vacuum with a crevice tool, and a mop or washable mop pad
Dish soap, baking soda and white vinegar (used separately)
A glass cleaner and a bathroom cleaner suited to your surfaces
Rubber gloves, garbage bags and a step stool for high spots
A bucket, plus clean water you can swap out halfway through
When is it worth calling a professional?
If you are moving out by yourself with a tight schedule, a full day of scrubbing may not be realistic, and that is fine. Doing the basics yourself works well when the unit is small and in good shape. Professional help makes more sense when you are juggling a move, work or kids, when the oven and bathrooms need heavy work, or when the final walkthrough is close.
Clean and Shiny offers move-in and move-out cleaning in Ottawa, with insured and background-checked cleaners and products that are safe for kids and pets. Per the Ottawa page, move-in and move-out cleaning starts from $280 before taxes, and the empty property rate is $52 per hour with a 3-hour minimum. Tasks such as the inside of the oven and fridge or interior window glass are included at no extra cost, but they should be requested in advance. You can see the full list of tasks on the what is included page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a move out clean take?
For an average apartment, plan on most of a day if you do it alone, and less with help. The oven, fridge and bathrooms usually take the longest.
Should I clean before or after the movers leave?
Both can work, but the final clean should happen after the last box is out, because moving furniture marks the floors and baseboards.
Do I need to clean carpets before moving out?
Vacuum them thoroughly and treat any visible stains. Check your lease, since some landlords have their own rules for carpets.
How do I get salt marks off the entry floor?
Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water on sealed hard floors, wipe, then rinse with clean water and dry. Test a small spot first.
What is the easiest thing people forget?
The exhaust fan cover, window tracks, the top of the fridge and the inside of closet doors.
Have other questions about services or booking? Our FAQ page covers them.
Get a free quote in less than 15 minutes
If you would rather hand the move-out clean to someone else, request a free quote for your Ottawa move-out. It takes less than 15 minutes, with no obligation.
