It’s the end-of-the-month moving rush in Toronto, and your to-do list is a mile long. While it’s tempting to do a “good enough” clean, your security deposit hangs in the balance. As cleaning professionals who work closely with property managers, we know exactly what they look for beyond a quick surface wipe. Here are the 7 areas that are most commonly scrutinized.
1. Inside the Appliances This is the number one missed spot. Landlords will almost always check inside the oven, refrigerator, and microwave. Baked-on grease in an oven or old food spills in a fridge are immediate red flags.
- Pro Tip: Use a dedicated oven cleaner and allow it to sit before scrubbing. Empty, defrost, and wipe down every shelf and drawer in the fridge.
2. Behind the Appliances Years of dust, crumbs, and grime accumulate behind the stove and refrigerator. Pulling these appliances out and cleaning the floor and walls behind them shows a level of thoroughness that is rarely overlooked.
3. Baseboards, Trim, and Walls Baseboards collect scuffs and layers of dust. Wiping down every baseboard in the unit is a tedious but critical task. Likewise, spot-cleaning scuffs and fingerprints from walls and around light switches makes a huge difference.
4. Grout and Caulking In bathrooms and kitchens, dirty or mildewed grout and caulking can make the entire space feel unclean, even if the surfaces are wiped down. Scrubbing grout lines in the shower and behind sinks is crucial.
5. Window Tracks and Sills Landlords will often slide a window open to check the tracks. Dead bugs, dust, and outdoor grime build up here over time. A quick wipe-down of all interior sills and tracks is a small detail that signals a deep clean.
6. Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans Dusty light fixtures or grimy ceiling fan blades are easy to spot. A quick dusting and wipe-down shows you’ve cleaned from top to bottom.
7. Lingering Odours A property needs to smell neutral. If you have pets or are a smoker, lingering odours in carpets and fabrics can be a major issue. Airing out the unit is not enough; the source of the odour often requires professional steam cleaning.
The Surefire Way to Protect Your Deposit
The surest way to pass inspection is with a professional move-out cleaning service. We follow a comprehensive checklist designed to satisfy the most meticulous landlords, helping you secure your deposit and focus on your move.
Moving out? Secure your deposit with confidence. Contact My Canada Cleaning for a guaranteed, stress-free move-out cleaning quote today.