A move-out clean is a deep clean of an empty home, targeting exactly what a landlord inspects. That means inside and outside every kitchen appliance and cabinet, scrubbed bathrooms including grout and mildew, baseboards, doors, closets, spot-cleaned walls, floors vacuumed and mopped, and windows and sills wiped. Do it after the home is empty, as the last step before handing over the keys. In Jacksonville it runs $250–$550+ if you hire it out.
Room-by-room move-out cleaning checklist
Work top-to-bottom, room-by-room, in an empty home. These are the tasks that show up on a landlord's inspection and drive the most common deposit deductions.
Kitchen
- Oven and stovetop degreased — inside, racks, drip pans and hood
- Refrigerator emptied, defrosted and wiped inside and out (pull it out, clean behind)
- Microwave, dishwasher and small-appliance nooks cleaned
- Cabinets and drawers wiped inside and out; handles degreased
- Counters, backsplash and sink scrubbed; faucet descaled
Bathrooms
- Tub, shower, glass and tile grout scrubbed — clear all mildew (Florida's #1 deduction)
- Toilet cleaned inside, outside and around the base
- Vanity, sink, mirror and cabinet wiped; drains clear
- Exhaust fan cover and light fixtures dusted
Bedrooms & living areas
- Closets wiped down — shelves, rods and floors
- Baseboards, door frames, doors and switch plates cleaned
- Ceiling fans, vents and light fixtures dusted
- Blinds and window sills wiped
Floors, walls & final pass
- Carpets vacuumed (steam-clean if the lease requires); hard floors mopped to the edges
- Walls spot-cleaned for scuffs and marks; cobwebs removed from corners
- Interior windows and tracks cleaned
- All trash removed; entry, patio and garage swept
Tip: take before/after photos on move-out day. Documented condition is the best defense if a landlord disputes your deposit.
Do it yourself or hire it out?
A full move-out clean on a 3-bed home is 4–8 hours of hard scrubbing. If your time is tight or the deposit is large, a professional move-out clean is usually cheaper than the deposit you'd risk losing — and it comes with the deep-clean detail landlords look for. See what move-out cleaning costs by home size, or read deep vs standard cleaning to understand the scope.
The most common deduction reasons
Related guides & services
Move-out cleaning service
Deposit-ready deep cleans for empty homes across Jacksonville.
Move-out cleaning →Move-out cleaning cost
$250–$550+ by home size — how the number breaks down.
Move-out prices →Deep vs standard clean
Why a move-out clean is a deep clean, and what that covers.
Read the guide →Prep for your cleaner
Five minutes of prep that makes the final clean faster and cheaper.
Read the guide →Move-out cleaning questions
What is included in a move-out clean?
A deep clean of an empty home — inside/outside all appliances and cabinets, scrubbed bathrooms and grout, baseboards, doors, closets, spot-cleaned walls, floors, and windows. It targets exactly what a landlord inspects.
Do I need a move-out clean to get my deposit back in Florida?
Florida landlords can deduct for cleaning beyond normal wear, so a thorough move-out clean is the surest way to protect your deposit. Documented cleaning — with photos — removes the most common deduction reasons.
How much does move-out cleaning cost in Jacksonville?
Typically $250–$550+, depending on home size and condition. A 1-bed starts around $200–$300; larger homes run $500+. It's a flat rate for the whole empty home.
Should I clean before or after moving out?
After the home is completely empty — so cleaners reach floors, closets and corners furniture blocks, matching the condition the landlord inspects. It's the last step before handing over keys.