Moving · 8 min read · February 9, 2026

The Ultimate Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for Canadian Renters

Room-by-room checklist that matches what Canadian landlords actually inspect — protect your deposit at handover.

Why move-out cleans fail inspections

Most deposit deductions trace to five spots: inside the oven, inside the fridge, bathroom limescale, baseboards, and window tracks. Tenants clean what's visible; inspectors check what's not.

Professional move-out cleans work from the inspection checklist backwards, which is why they so often pay for themselves in recovered deposits.

Kitchen

Inside oven, racks, and drawer; inside and behind fridge and dishwasher; inside all cabinets and drawers; degrease backsplash and range hood filter; scrub sink and taps; wipe counters, switch plates, and door handles; mop floor including edges.

Bathrooms

Descale shower glass, tiles, grout, and fixtures; sanitize toilet inside, behind, and around the base; clean vanity inside and out; polish mirrors; wash floors by hand including behind the door; empty and wipe exhaust fan cover.

Everywhere else

Hand-wipe baseboards, door frames, and doors; spot-clean wall marks; clean windows, tracks, and sills inside; vacuum closets and wipe shelving; dust light fixtures and vent covers; vacuum and mop all floors; sweep balcony, storage, and garage.

Photograph everything after cleaning — time-stamped photos resolve most deposit disputes before they start. In a hurry? Tbay Cleaning Services runs dedicated move-out crews in 80+ Canadian cities: 807 697-5399.

Ready when you are.

Tbay Cleaning Services serves 150+ Canadian cities. Call 807 697-5399 or email admin@tbaycleaners.com for a same-day quote.

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