Move-Out Cleaning Guide
Time, Products & Checklist
Thinking of cleaning your Seattle or Eastside home yourself before you move out? This guide gives a realistic picture of what is involved: whether you are leaving an apartment, condo, house, or any other type of home.
How long does a move-out clean really take?
Solo, working at a steady pace. Kitchen and bathrooms account for roughly 70% of the total time. Budget more time than you expect, especially if the home has built-up grime.
Time by area
| Area | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Kitchen surfaces, cabinets, countertops | 2 hours |
| Stove and oven: inside and racks | 1 hour |
| Inside refrigerator | 30 min to 1 hour |
| Bathrooms, per bathroom | 1 to 2 hours |
| Hard surface floors | 1 hour |
| Carpeted areas | 1 hour |
| Inside windows | 1 hour |
| Dusting, baseboards, high-touch surfaces | 1 hour |
Total time by home size
| Home size | Square footage | Solo estimate | With pets or kids ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bed / 1 bath | Up to 1,000 sq ft | 4 to 6 hours | 6 to 9 hours |
| 2–3 bed / 2–3 bath | 1,000 to 1,800 sq ft | 6 to 8 hours | 9 to 12 hours |
| 3–4 bed / 4 bath | 1,800 to 2,800 sq ft | 7 to 10 hours | 10 to 15 hours |
Homes with pets or young children
Homes with pets or young children in Seattle and the Eastside typically add 50% to cleaning time.
Recommended cleaning products
Top picks based on 15+ years of cleaning Seattle and Eastside homes. You do not need every product. Buy what applies to your home's surfaces. Prices are approximate as of early 2026. Always choose unscented where available.
Always use unscented products where available
Scented cleaners can cause irritation for people with allergies or sensitivities. Unscented versions of most products above are available at Target, Fred Meyer, and Amazon.
Supplies you will need
Get these before you start. Running out mid-clean costs time. Check each item off as you gather it.
Color-code your microfiber cloths
Use yellow cloths for bathrooms only: toilets, sinks, tubs. Use a different color for everything else. This prevents cross-contamination between bathroom and kitchen surfaces.
Room-by-room task list
Work top to bottom in every room: dust and cobwebs first, floors last. Glass shower doors are the number one flagged item at Seattle and Eastside landlord walk-throughs. ★ marks the areas most often flagged during landlord walk-throughs.
Rather have a professional handle it?
If the list above feels like more than you want to take on, that is completely understandable. A thorough move-out clean for a 2–3 bedroom home takes a solo person 6–8 hours. Professional cleaners typically complete it in 3–4 hours and back every job with a 24-hour re-clean guarantee. Simply Clean serves anyone moving out — apartments, condos, houses, and every type of home across Seattle and the Eastside.
Pricing depends on home size, bathrooms, condition, and add-ons
Get an exact flat-rate price in 60 seconds at quote.seattlesimplyclean.com. No phone call needed. Every job is backed by a 24-hour re-clean guarantee.
Also moving into a new home?
Moving into a new home at the same time? The move-in cleaning guide covers the same detail for your new place.
Leave it right. Move on with a clear conscience.
Book Seattle's most reliable move-out cleaning service. Flat-rate pricing, flexible scheduling, satisfaction guaranteed.