Landlords look hardest at the kitchen (inside the oven, fridge and cabinets), bathrooms (grout, tub and toilet base), floors and baseboards, and walls. Clean every empty cabinet and closet, take dated photos when you finish, and leave the place broom-clean or better.
Moving in St. Louis is busy enough. Packing, scheduling movers, transferring utilities with Ameren and Spire, and the last thing you want is a deduction from your deposit because the oven was not cleaned. Here is exactly what to do.
Before you start
- Re-read your lease for any cleaning requirements, like professional carpet cleaning.
- Find your move-in photos or inspection report so you know the starting condition.
- Clean after the last box is out. An empty unit is far faster to clean.
- Gather supplies: degreaser, bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner, magic erasers, microfiber cloths, a vacuum and a mop.
Kitchen
- Inside the oven, oven racks and the drawer under the oven
- Stovetop, burner grates or drip pans, and the range hood and filter
- Inside the fridge and freezer, including shelves and drawers. Unplug only if your landlord asks.
- Inside and outside of every cabinet and drawer
- Microwave inside and out, dishwasher door and edges
- Sink, faucet and countertops degreased and polished
- Backsplash, walls behind the stove, and light switches
Bathrooms
- Toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it
- Tub and shower scrubbed, including grout, soap scum and the glass door tracks
- Sink, faucet, mirror and medicine cabinet inside and out
- Vanity cabinets and drawers inside
- Exhaust fan cover dusted
Short on time before your move? A professional move-out clean covers every item on this list.
Get a move-out quoteBedrooms and living areas
- Closets emptied, shelves wiped and floors vacuumed
- Baseboards, door frames and doors wiped
- Window sills, tracks and the inside of the glass
- Blinds dusted or wiped
- Ceiling fans and light fixtures dusted
- Scuffs spot-cleaned on walls. Test a hidden area first.
- Nail holes filled only if your lease allows it
Floors and the rest of the home
- Vacuum carpets thoroughly, including edges and closets
- Mop hard floors and wipe baseboards last
- Laundry area, washer and dryer exterior, and the lint trap
- Entry doors, light switches and outlet covers
- Basement or storage unit swept and emptied
- Remove all trash, including the trash bins outside
Protect your security deposit in Missouri
Missouri law (RSMo 535.300) generally requires landlords to return your security deposit, or send an itemized list of deductions, within 30 days after the lease ends. Landlords can deduct for damage and for cleaning beyond normal wear and tear, so a thorough clean matters. A few habits help:
- Take dated photos and video of every room after you finish cleaning.
- Be there for the walkthrough if your landlord allows it.
- Give your forwarding address in writing so the deposit can be returned.
- Keep your receipt if you hire a professional cleaner. Some landlords accept it as proof.
This is general information, not legal advice. Check your lease and contact a local tenant resource if you have a dispute.
Should you hire a professional move-out cleaner?
If you are short on time, moving out of a larger home, or your landlord expects a professional clean, it usually pays for itself. A Sleec move-out clean covers everything on this checklist, and we work with renters, homeowners, landlords and realtors across St. Louis City and County.