Cleaning an empty home is a different job from cleaning a lived in one. With the furniture gone, every scuff, dust line and forgotten corner is visible. For renters, the condition of the unit on move out day can affect how much of the security deposit comes back. For sellers, a clean home makes the final walkthrough easier. For anyone moving in, it is the chance to start fresh before boxes cover the floors.
Use this checklist as a guide for a full top to bottom clean of an empty home, whether you do it yourself or book a deep cleaning.
Start with timing and supplies
The best time to clean is after the last box is out and before the final walkthrough. Trying to clean around furniture or boxes means missing the areas that matter most, like floors along the walls and inside closets. Leave yourself a full day for an average size home, more if the home is large or has not been cleaned in a while.
Have the basics ready: an all purpose cleaner, a degreaser for the kitchen, a bathroom cleaner for soap scum, glass cleaner, microfiber cloths, a scrub brush, a vacuum with attachments, a mop and a step stool. Work top to bottom in each room so dust falls onto areas you have not cleaned yet.
Kitchen checklist
Clean inside and outside every cabinet and drawer, including shelf edges and handles. Wipe the backsplash and the walls around the stove. Degrease the range hood and filter. Clean the cooktop, burner grates or drip pans and knobs.
Clean inside the oven and the oven door glass. Empty, wipe and dry the refrigerator and freezer, including drawers and door shelves, and wipe the top and the area behind it if it can be moved safely. Clean inside the microwave and dishwasher. Scrub and polish the sink and faucet, then finish with the floor along the edges and under the toe kick.
Bathroom checklist
Scrub the tub, shower walls, glass doors and tracks, removing soap scum and hard water film. Clean grout lines and caulk. Clean the toilet inside and out, including the base and the bolts behind it. Wipe inside the vanity and medicine cabinet.
Polish mirrors and fixtures. Dust and wipe the exhaust fan cover, light fixtures and the top of the door frame. Wipe the baseboards and mop the floor, paying attention to the corners behind the toilet.
Bedrooms, living areas and closets
Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures first. Wipe window sills, window tracks and the inside of the glass. Wipe doors, door frames, light switches and outlet covers, which collect fingerprints. Remove nails or hooks only if your lease or sale agreement says so, and ask before patching walls.
Wipe closet shelves and rods. Vacuum carpets thoroughly, including edges, or mop hard floors. Hand wipe the baseboards in every room: they are one of the first things a landlord or buyer notices in an empty home.
The areas people forget
Air vents and return grilles, the inside of window tracks, the top of the refrigerator, the washer and dryer (including the lint trap area), the garage or storage unit, and the inside of the front door are commonly missed. So are light switches, doorknobs and the laundry room floor.
In New Jersey homes with basements, take a pass through the basement as well: sweep the floor, remove cobwebs and wipe any shelving that stays with the home.
Tips for renters protecting a deposit
Read your lease for any cleaning requirements, such as professional carpet cleaning. Take dated photos and video of every room after cleaning, including inside the oven and refrigerator. Compare against the move in condition report if you have one.
New Jersey has specific rules on how landlords handle security deposits and deductions. If you have questions about your rights, the state Department of Community Affairs publishes guidance for tenants. Normal wear and tear is treated differently from damage or dirt, which is why a thorough clean matters.
Tips for sellers before closing
Home sellers in New Jersey are usually expected to leave the home in broom clean condition, but the exact standard depends on the sale contract. Check with your real estate agent. Even when the bar is basic, a thorough cleaning makes the buyer's final walkthrough smoother and leaves a good last impression.
Plan the cleaning after the movers leave and before the walkthrough, and leave any appliance manuals, spare keys and garage remotes in a kitchen drawer for the new owners.
Moving in: clean before you unpack
Even if the previous occupant cleaned, it is worth a fresh pass before your furniture arrives. Focus on the kitchen, inside cabinets where your dishes will go, bathrooms and floors. Wipe light switches and doorknobs and run the dishwasher empty once.
If you would rather not do it yourself, a deep cleaning covers this kind of top to bottom work. S&A House Cleaning provides deep cleaning for houses, apartments and condos across South Jersey and the Philadelphia area. Call or text (856) 258-0638 to describe the home and request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
01What should be cleaned when moving out of an apartment in NJ?
At a minimum: inside and outside of kitchen cabinets and appliances, bathrooms including tub and toilet, floors, baseboards, closets, windows and sills, and light switches. Check your lease for any specific requirements.
02How long does a move out cleaning take?
For an average empty home, plan on a full day if you do it yourself. A professional team usually works faster, but time still depends on the size and condition of the home.
03Is a move out cleaning the same as a deep cleaning?
They cover very similar tasks. A move out cleaning is essentially a deep cleaning of an empty home, which makes it easier to reach inside cabinets, behind appliances and along every wall.
04Should I clean a new home before moving in?
Yes, it is a good idea. Cleaning before your furniture and boxes arrive lets you reach every corner and start with a home you know is clean.
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