Move-out cleaning in Montreal is a different job than a regular tidy-up. It means clearing every trace of daily living from a space that is about to belong to someone else - grease around the stove, dust along the baseboards, fingerprints ringing the light switches, and the flat, stale smell that settles into a unit once the furniture is gone.
This checklist covers every area worth checking before you leave, whether you are doing it yourself or bringing in help. If you would rather hand the whole job off, you can request a free quote from Mission Espace Propre and skip straight to move-out day.
Printable quick checklist
Short on time? Here is the condensed version. Full detail on each item follows below.
When to start move-out cleaning
Clean after your furniture and boxes are out, not before. An occupied space hides dust and marks under furniture that only show up once everything is moved. If you are booking professional cleaners, schedule them for the day after the movers, or later the same day once the unit is fully empty. During Montreal's July 1 moving period, book as early as you can - this is the busiest week of the year for both movers and cleaning companies.
Cleaning supplies needed
If you are tackling the job yourself, gather these before you start so you are not making trips to the store mid-clean:
- All-purpose cleaner and a degreaser for the kitchen
- Bathroom cleaner and a disinfectant
- Glass cleaner for windows and mirrors
- Microfiber cloths and sponges
- A mop and bucket, plus a vacuum with attachments
- Magic eraser-style pads for scuffs on walls and doors
- Rubber gloves and a step stool for high spots
- Garbage bags for anything left behind
Room-by-room checklist
Kitchen checklist
- Inside and outside of the oven, including the racks
- Inside the fridge and freezer, including door seals
- Range hood and filter, degreasing built-up residue
- Inside and outside every cupboard and drawer
- Countertops, backsplash, and sink, including around the faucet base
- Dishwasher interior and filter
- Exterior of all appliances, including the tops (a common dust trap)
Bathroom checklist
- Toilet, including base and behind the bowl
- Tub and shower, with attention to grout and caulking
- Sink, faucet, and counter
- Mirror and any glass surfaces
- Inside the medicine cabinet and vanity drawers
- Exhaust fan cover, which collects dust quickly
- Floor, including corners behind the toilet
Bedroom checklist
- Inside closets, including shelves and rods
- Baseboards and window sills
- Light fixtures and ceiling fan blades if present
- Behind and under where furniture stood
- Door and door frame, wiped down
Living room checklist
- Floors vacuumed and washed, including under where furniture sat
- Baseboards and corners, where dust tends to collect undisturbed
- Light switches and outlet covers
- Window sills and interior glass
- Any built-in shelving, wiped inside and out
Hallways, stairs, and entrances
- Floors swept, vacuumed, and washed
- Handrails wiped down
- Light fixtures dusted
- Entryway closet cleared and wiped
Floors and baseboards
- All hard floors washed, not just swept
- Carpets vacuumed thoroughly, including edges
- Baseboards wiped along their full length, not just spot-checked
- Corners checked for dust buildup
Walls, doors, handles, and switches
- Scuff marks and fingerprints spot-cleaned from walls
- Door handles and light switches, which collect grime quickly
- Doors wiped down, top and bottom edges included
- Marks near thermostats or intercoms
Windows and window tracks
- Interior glass cleaned and streak-free
- Window sills wiped down
- Window tracks, where dust and debris commonly build up unnoticed
- Screens, if removable and applicable
Closets and storage areas
- Shelves and rods wiped down
- Floor of the closet vacuumed or swept
- Any built-in drawers emptied and wiped
Balcony, patio, garage, or locker
- Swept clear of debris
- Any left-behind items removed
- Storage locker emptied and swept, if included in your unit
Appliances
- Washer and dryer, including the lint trap and rubber door seal
- Dishwasher, including the filter at the bottom
- Any built-in microwave, inside and out
Commonly forgotten areas
These are the spots that even a careful cleaning pass tends to miss:
- !Top of the fridge and cupboards
- !Behind and underneath the toilet base
- !Inside light fixtures and around bulbs
- !Vent covers and air returns
- !Window tracks and the gap along sliding doors
- !Inside the washer drum and dryer lint trap
- !The underside of cabinet doors and handles
Skip the checklist entirely
Mission Espace Propre handles the full move-out clean, top to bottom, so you can focus on the move itself.
See Our Move-Out Cleaning Service →What tenants should check before leaving
Beyond cleaning, a few practical steps help the handover go smoothly:
- Take dated photos of every room once cleaning is complete, in case of a dispute
- Check your lease for any specific cleaning or condition clauses
- Confirm the move-out date and time with your landlord
- Remove all personal items, including from storage areas and the balcony
- Leave keys, fobs, and parking passes as agreed with your landlord
Lease terms and expectations around cleaning and deposits vary. If you have questions about your specific obligations, check your lease or speak directly with your landlord.
What homeowners and property managers should check
If you are the one receiving the unit back, whether as a homeowner selling a property or a property manager turning over a rental, a consistent inspection routine helps:
- Walk through with the checklist above before scheduling showings or a new tenant move-in
- Check inside appliances specifically, since these are the most commonly overlooked areas
- Test light switches, faucets, and fixtures while inspecting cleanliness
- Document the condition with photos for your own records
- Book move-in cleaning if the unit needs a full reset before the next occupant arrives
Property managers handling multiple units on a rolling basis often find it more efficient to work with a single cleaning provider for consistency across turnovers. See our property management cleaning page for more on this.
Move-in cleaning versus move-out cleaning
The two are closely related but serve different moments. Move-out cleaning prepares a space for handover - it is about leaving nothing behind. Move-in cleaning prepares a space for arrival - it resets a unit that may have been cleaned by the previous occupant to varying standards, so you start fresh in your own home rather than trusting someone else's definition of clean. Many people booking a move-out clean for their old place also book a move-in cleaning for the new one, so both ends of the move are covered.
When to hire professional cleaners
Doing it yourself is entirely possible, especially for a smaller space with realistic expectations. Professional help tends to make the most sense when:
- •You are already stretched thin coordinating the move itself
- •The unit needs a deep clean and has not had one in a while
- •You are on a tight deadline, such as a same-day key handover
- •You want a second, more objective set of eyes on the result before an inspection
- •You are a landlord or property manager turning over multiple units
Why choose Mission Espace Propre
- Top-to-bottom move-out cleans, including inside appliances and cupboards
- Same assigned team on-site, not a rotating cast of unfamiliar workers
- Flexible scheduling, including short-notice requests when availability allows
- Fully insured, with proof of coverage available on request
- Serving Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, and Brossard
See the full scope of what is covered on our move-out cleaning service page, or check what house cleaning typically costs in Montreal to budget ahead of your move.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does move-out cleaning take?
Most apartments and condos take 2 to 5 hours for a full move-out clean, depending on size and condition. Larger homes or units left in rougher shape can take longer. Once the space is empty of furniture, cleaners can generally move faster than during a regular occupied clean.
Should I clean before or after the movers arrive?
Always clean after your belongings and furniture are out. Cleaning an occupied space skips floors and surfaces under furniture, and you will likely need to touch up those spots anyway once everything is moved. An empty unit also lets cleaners reach baseboards, closets, and corners that were blocked before.
Do cleaners clean inside appliances?
A proper move-out clean should include the inside of the oven, fridge, and other appliances left behind, since these are commonly checked at inspection. Confirm this is included when booking, as some basic cleaning packages treat it as an add-on.
Is professional move-out cleaning required by law in Quebec?
There is no general legal requirement to hire a professional cleaner when you move. Lease terms vary, and some leases include language about returning the unit in a clean condition. Check your specific lease or speak with your landlord if you are unsure what is expected.
What happens if the apartment is left dirty?
Consequences depend on your lease and your landlord's policies, and can range from a request to return and clean, to a deduction from a deposit where applicable, to a dispute. Requirements vary by situation, so review your lease and communicate with your landlord ahead of moving day to avoid surprises.
Do I need to provide cleaning supplies for a professional move-out clean?
Most professional cleaning companies, including Mission Espace Propre, bring their own products and equipment. If you are cleaning yourself, see the supplies checklist in this guide before you start.
Can a cleaning company handle same-day move-out cleaning in Montreal?
Many companies can accommodate short-notice or same-day requests depending on availability, which is common around Montreal's July 1 moving season. Booking as early as possible improves your chances of getting the exact time slot you need.
Ready to book your move-out clean?
Need help cleaning your home before or after a move? Request a free quote from Mission Espace Propre for professional cleaning services in Montreal.
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