Moving out is stressful enough without wondering whether the place is “clean enough.” This guide gives you a practical, room-by-room checklist and a plain-English overview of how cleaning relates to your security deposit in California.

This is general information, not legal advice. Deposit rules can change and every lease is different. For your specific situation, read the current law and your lease, or talk to a tenant-rights organization or attorney.

What California law says about cleaning and deposits

California’s security deposit rules are in Civil Code section 1950.5. A few points matter most when you are cleaning:

The cleaning standard is your move-in condition. A landlord may deduct for cleaning only as needed to return the unit to the same level of cleanliness it had when your tenancy started. Ordinary wear and tear is treated differently from damage.
You can ask for a pre-move-out inspection. Tenants can request an initial inspection before moving out. The landlord then lists what they would deduct for, giving you a chance to clean or fix those items before you leave.
There is a deadline for the landlord. After you move out, the landlord generally has 21 days to return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions.
Recent changes add documentation. A 2024 law (AB 2801) added photo-documentation requirements for landlords around move-in and deductions. Check the current statute for the details and effective dates that apply to your lease.

Practical takeaway: take your own dated photos of every room after cleaning, and keep a copy of your move-in inspection report if you have one.

Room-by-room move-out checklist

Kitchen

Empty, wipe and dry the inside of every cabinet and drawer
Clean inside the refrigerator and freezer (remove and wash shelves and bins)
Clean inside the oven, the stovetop, burner grates and the range hood
Clean the microwave inside and out
Run and wipe the dishwasher, including the door edges
Scrub the sink, polish the faucet and wipe the backsplash
Wipe cabinet fronts and handles
Sweep and mop, including under the edges of appliances you can safely reach

Bathrooms

Scrub the shower, tub and tile; remove soap scum and hard-water spots from glass
Clean and disinfect the toilet, including the base and behind it
Clean the sink, counter and faucet; empty and wipe the vanity and medicine cabinet
Clean mirrors, light fixtures and the exhaust fan cover
Sweep and mop the floor

Bedrooms, closets and living areas

Wipe closet shelves and rods; vacuum closet floors
Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
Wipe baseboards, door frames, doors and light switches
Clean window sills and blinds
Vacuum carpets, including the edges; sweep and mop hard floors

Final walk-through

Remove every personal item, including from the garage, patio and storage spaces
Check under sinks and on top of the refrigerator and cabinets
Take photos of each room, then return keys and remotes as your lease specifies

When to book a professional move-out cleaning

A full move-out cleaning takes time, and it usually lands on the busiest days of the move. Many renters book it for the day after the movers leave, while utilities are still on. Landlords and property managers book the same service between tenants.

Pro Help’s move-in and move-out cleaning covers the inside of cabinets, closets and appliances in an empty home across Northeast Los Angeles and the Pasadena area. No cleaning company can promise a deposit outcome — that decision belongs to the landlord — but a thorough clean takes cleaning off the list of possible deductions.

Request a move-out cleaning estimate.