By Kathy Clean Houston Team ·
Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for Houston Renters (Deposit-Ready)
A spotless move-out clean is what stands between you and a full deposit return. This is the room-by-room checklist Houston landlords and property managers actually inspect — use it yourself, or hand it to a pro. For full pricing and scope, see our move-in/move-out cleaning guide.
Kitchen
- Inside, outside, and on top of the oven and stovetop; drip pans and racks.
- Inside the refrigerator and freezer (defrosted), plus behind and underneath if movable.
- Inside the microwave and dishwasher.
- Inside and outside all cabinets and drawers.
- Countertops, backsplash, sink, and faucet (mineral deposits removed).
- Floors swept and mopped, including under appliances.
Bathrooms
- Tub, shower, and glass doors — soap scum and hard-water buildup removed.
- Toilet cleaned inside and out, including the base.
- Sink, vanity, mirror, and cabinet interiors.
- Grout scrubbed; exhaust fan cover dusted.
- Floors cleaned and baseboards wiped.
Bedrooms, living areas & throughout
- Closet shelves and floors wiped.
- Baseboards, door frames, and doors.
- Window sills, tracks, and reachable interior glass.
- Ceiling fans, light fixtures, and vent covers dusted.
- Switch plates and outlet covers wiped.
- All floors vacuumed and mopped; carpet edges detailed.
Easy-to-miss items landlords check
- Top of the refrigerator and cabinet tops.
- Inside the washer/dryer area and behind the units.
- Patio or balcony swept.
- Garage swept (if included in the lease).
- Cobwebs in corners and around light fixtures.
DIY or hire a pro?
A full move-out clean on a 2-bedroom takes most people the better part of a day — and a missed oven or grout line can cost part of a deposit. A professional move-out clean is flat-rate by home size (starting at $325, the same as a deep clean), covers everything on this list, and we coordinate with your landlord or property manager on request. Areas with heavy rental turnover — like Westchase and the Medical Center area — book this routinely, especially in summer.
Get a Deposit-Ready Move-Out Clean
Flat-rate by home size, landlord-coordinated, everything on this checklist covered. Tell us your move date for a quote.
GET A QUOTERequest a free quote with your home size and move date and we'll schedule around it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a move-out clean include inside the cabinets and drawers?
Yes. Inside cabinets, pantries, and drawers are part of the move-in and move-out scope. They are not part of a standard deep clean.
Are the oven and refrigerator interiors included in a move-out clean?
Yes, at no extra charge on move-out cleans. On move-in cleans, appliance interiors are an optional add-on.
How much does a deposit-ready move-out clean cost in Houston?
Move-out cleaning is flat-rate by home size, from $325 up to $749. Move-in cleaning runs from $285 up to $719. Homes over 6,000 sq ft are quoted individually.
Will you follow my landlord or property manager's own checklist?
Yes, on request. Tell us when you book if your lease or property manager has a specific checklist and we'll coordinate around it.
Should the home be empty before the move-out clean?
Move-out cleans go best once the furniture is out, so nothing is missed underneath or behind it. Move-in cleans are best done before you unpack.