Moving is stressful enough without scrubbing an empty apartment at 11pm on the last day of the month, which in Montreal is when half the city moves at once. This is the full move in and move out cleaning checklist, room by room, so nothing gets missed and you leave (or arrive) on good terms.
When to do the cleaning
The golden rule: clean an empty space. A move out clean happens after the furniture and boxes are gone, when you can finally reach the corners that a couch hid for three years. A move in clean happens before you bring anything in, while the floors and cupboards are still clear. Trying to clean around furniture is slower and you always miss spots.
Move out cleaning checklist
In Quebec you usually will not be dealing with a security deposit, since landlords here generally cannot require one. What matters instead is your lease, which typically asks you to return the unit clean and undamaged. A proper clean protects you from end of lease charges and keeps things friendly with your landlord and the next tenant.
Kitchen
- Inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers.
- Oven, stovetop, and the range hood filter.
- Inside the fridge and freezer, then behind and underneath if you can move it.
- Microwave, dishwasher front, counters, backsplash, and sink.
- Floors, including the gap beside the stove.
Bathrooms
- Toilet, tub, and shower, with descaling on the glass and tiles.
- Sink, vanity, mirror, and inside the cabinet.
- Exhaust fan cover and light fixtures.
- Grout, baseboards, and floor.
Bedrooms and living areas
- Closets wiped inside, shelves and rods included.
- Walls spot cleaned, light switches and door handles wiped.
- Window interiors, sills, and tracks.
- Baseboards, vents, and floors throughout.
The spots people forget
- Behind doors and the top edges of doors.
- Inside the washer and dryer if they stay.
- Balcony or patio sweep.
- Light fixtures and ceiling fan blades.
This is essentially a deep clean of an empty home. If you want to understand how that differs from a regular tidy up, we explain it in deep cleaning vs regular cleaning.
Move in cleaning checklist
A move in clean is about starting fresh in a space someone else lived in. Even a unit that looks fine has been touched by other people, so the priority is sanitizing the surfaces you will actually use.
- Disinfect the kitchen and bathrooms top to bottom before anything goes in cupboards.
- Wipe inside every cabinet, drawer, and closet.
- Clean appliances inside and out.
- Wash floors and wipe walls, switches, and handles.
- Clean windows and tracks while the rooms are empty.
Do this before the movers arrive and your new place feels genuinely yours from day one.
Move out versus move in: what is different
The tasks overlap, but the goal shifts. Move out is about leaving it the way you would want to receive it, with attention to anything that could be flagged as damage or neglect. Move in is about hygiene and a clean slate. Both go faster and come out better in an empty unit, which is exactly why this service exists.
Should you do it yourself or hire it out
If you have the time and energy after a move, a one bedroom is doable in a focused afternoon. The trouble is that moving day rarely leaves you with either. A trained team can turn around an empty apartment quickly because they do this every week, they bring the supplies, and they know what landlords and incoming tenants look for. If you are juggling movers, utilities, and a deadline, handing off the clean is usually worth it.
How pricing works
Move cleaning is priced like a deep clean, based on the size and condition of the unit. An empty place with no buildup is quicker than one that has not been cleaned in a while. For a sense of the ranges and what drives the number, see our guide to house cleaning costs in Montreal. We give you a free, no obligation quote, and you can send photos or a short video so we can price it without an in person visit.
Book your move cleaning
We handle move in and move out cleaning across Montreal for homes, condos, and apartments, and we work with businesses too. See the full scope on our move in and move out cleaning page, or just call (800) 799-0466 and request your free quote. We are rated 4.8 stars across more than 140 reviews, and the price we quote is the price you pay.
Booking the truck is the other half of the job: among the moving companies South Shore Montreal residents call around July 1, the good ones are reserved two to three weeks ahead, so lock your date before you plan the cleaning.
Rather have someone handle it for you? Call (800) 799-0466 or get your free quote. Trained team, rated 4.8/5 by 583 clients.
