Moving in Toronto is a major undertaking. Between booking elevators in your condo, navigating traffic with a moving truck, and endless boxes, the last thing on your mind is scrubbing the oven. However, a thorough move-out clean is one of the most critical steps to ensuring you get your full security deposit back.
A landlord or new owner expects the property to be in the same condition as when you moved in. This guide provides a room-by-room checklist to meet—and exceed—those expectations.
Why a Professional-Level Clean Matters
Under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, tenants are responsible for maintaining a standard of ordinary cleanliness. Failing a final inspection can lead to disputes and the loss of your deposit. This checklist is your roadmap to a successful move-out.
Your Room-by-Room Cleaning Checklist
Kitchen: The Most Critical Area
- Oven: Clean the interior, including the racks and oven door glass.
- Stovetop: Remove and clean burner grates and drip pans. Wipe down the entire surface.
- Refrigerator: Remove all food. Clean all interior shelves, drawers, and walls. Don’t forget the freezer.
- Dishwasher: Clean the interior, removing any food debris from the filter.
- Cabinets & Drawers: Wipe down the inside of all empty cabinets and drawers. Clean and polish the exterior doors.
- Surfaces: Degrease and clean the range hood filter. Wipe down all countertops and the backsplash.
- Sink: Scrub and polish the sink and faucet.
Bathrooms: Focus on Sanitization
- Shower & Tub: Scrub tiles, grout, and glass doors to remove all soap scum and mildew.
- Toilet: Thoroughly clean and disinfect the inside and outside, including the base.
- Sink & Vanity: Clean the sink, faucet, and countertop. Wipe down the inside of the vanity.
- Mirrors: Clean to a streak-free shine.
- Exhaust Fan: Dust the cover.
Bedrooms & Living Areas: The Details Matter
- Walls & Baseboards: Wipe down all baseboards. Spot-clean walls for any scuffs or marks.
- Closets: Wipe down shelves, rods, and remove any forgotten items.
- Windows: Clean interior window panes and wipe down sills and tracks.
- Floors: Vacuum all carpets thoroughly (consider a professional steam clean for stains) and mop all hard floors.
The Details Everyone Forgets:
- Dust and wipe all light fixtures and ceiling fans.
- Wipe down all light switches and power outlets.
- Clean the tops of all door frames and window casings.
- Sweep balconies and patios.
Feeling Overwhelmed? When to Call the Professionals.
This checklist is exhaustive, and honestly, you have enough to worry about. Hiring a professional move-out cleaning service is often the smartest investment you can make during a move.
- We have the right tools: We use professional-grade products to tackle tough grime.
- We save you time: What might take you a full weekend, our expert team can do in hours.
- We guarantee results: We know exactly what landlords and property managers look for.
Don’t risk your security deposit. Make your Toronto move a success from start to finish.
Ready for a stress-free move? Contact My Canada Cleaning today for a free, no-obligation quote on our guaranteed move-out cleaning services!