Checklist
The Ultimate Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for Bay Area Renters
By the Thrive Cleaners Team · 7 min read
Moving out in the Bay Area is expensive. Don't lose your deposit over cleaning. Here's exactly what Bay Area landlords check — room by room.
Take timestamped photos after cleaning, before returning keys. This protects you in any deposit dispute.
Kitchen
- Oven: inside, racks, drawer underneath
- Refrigerator: empty, defrosted, inside and out including door seals
- Microwave interior
- Dishwasher interior and filter
- All cabinets and drawers inside and out
- Countertops and backsplash degreased
- Sink and faucet — hard water stains removed
- Stovetop and all burner grates
- Floor: swept, mopped, under appliances
Bathrooms
- Toilet: inside bowl, outside, base, and behind
- Shower and tub: grout, tile, door tracks and seals
- Sink, vanity, and mirror
- Exhaust fan cover dusted
- Floor mopped around toilet base
Bedrooms and Living Areas
- Walls: spot clean all scuffs and marks
- Baseboards hand-wiped throughout
- Closets vacuumed and wiped inside
- Windows: glass, sills, and tracks
- Blinds dusted or wiped
- Light fixtures and ceiling fans wiped
- Carpet vacuumed (steam cleaned if stained)
Other Areas
- Garage swept, oil stains treated
- All light switches and outlet covers wiped
- Patio swept and hosed down