The Ultimate Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for Apartment Renters

Moving out of your apartment in Portland? Whether you're headed to a new neighborhood like Sellwood, Alberta, or leaving the city altogether, there’s one last hurdle: making sure your apartment is spotless before you hand over the keys.

A professional move-out clean can be the difference between a full refund and unexpected fees. Here's what you need to know.

Why Move-Out Cleaning Matters

Landlords and property managers in Portland typically expect apartments to be returned in the same condition they were rented out — clean, damage-free, and empty. A detailed move-out cleaning ensures you:

• Avoid potential cleaning fees

• Improve your chances of a full deposit return

• Leave a great impression for rental references

The Portland Move-Out Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen

• Clean all surfaces: counters, cabinets (inside/out), and backsplash

• Deep clean the oven, stove, microwave, and fridge

• Scrub the sink and polish fixtures

• Mop the floors

Bathroom

• Disinfect toilet, tub/shower, and sink

• Shine mirrors and wipe all surfaces

• Clean inside cabinets and drawers

• Mop and sanitize floors

Living Spaces & Bedrooms

• Dust baseboards, shelves, light fixtures, and vents

• Wipe down walls, remove marks or cobwebs

• Clean windows and sills

• Vacuum carpets or sweep/mop floors

• Remove nails, fill holes, and touch up if needed

Final Touches

• Remove all trash and personal items

• Replace burned-out light bulbs

• Do a final walkthrough to make sure nothing is missed

Don’t Want to Tackle This Yourself?

We hear you — moving is already overwhelming.

Let a trusted local team handle the cleanup. At PortlandCleaningQuotes.com, we connect you with professional move-out cleaning services in Portland that know exactly what landlords and property managers are looking for.

✅ Fast quotes✅ Affordable rates✅ Trusted by renters across Portland