Move-out cleaning supplies: the full list
The move out cleaning supplies to set aside before you pack are an all-purpose spray, a degreaser for the kitchen, a bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner, baking soda, scrub sponges, a stack of microfiber cloths, a mop and bucket, a vacuum, rubber gloves and heavy trash bags. Put them in one labeled bucket or box, and make it the last thing that leaves the apartment.
Pack the vacuum on the truck too early and you end up cleaning an empty rowhome with paper towels.
What goes in the kit?
Cleaners
- All-purpose spray for counters, shelves and walls
- Degreaser for the stovetop, range hood and cabinet fronts
- Bathroom cleaner for the tub, shower, sink and toilet
- Glass cleaner for windows and the bathroom mirror
- Baking soda for scrubbing the oven, sink and grout
- White vinegar for hard-water spots on fixtures
Tools
- Microfiber cloths, more than you think you need
- Non-scratch scrub sponges
- A grout brush or old toothbrush
- A toilet brush
- A mop and two buckets
- A vacuum with a crevice tool, or a broom and dustpan
- An extendable duster for ceiling corners and the tops of cabinets
- A step stool you trust
Extras
- Rubber gloves
- Heavy trash bags
- A melamine sponge for scuffs, tested on a hidden spot first
- Paper towels for the really greasy jobs
- A small toolkit for curtain rods and hooks
- Spackle for small nail holes, if your lease asks for it
When do you use what?
Work top to bottom and back to front: ceiling corners and tops of cabinets first, then counters and appliances, then floors on the way out the door. Our move-out cleaning checklist goes room by room, and our appliance guide covers the oven and fridge.
What about the hard stuff?
- Scuffs on walls: a damp melamine sponge, light pressure, tested first. Flat paint marks easily.
- Stains on carpet: blot, the right remover, rinse. Our move-out stain guide has the details.
- Grease on the range hood: degreaser, let it sit, wipe, repeat.
What do you do with leftover supplies?
Take what you'll use in the new place. Keep a small set out for the move-in clean at the other end, before the boxes come in.
Want the move-out clean booked?
Book Move-In / Move-Out Cleaning online, and put your move date and priorities in your booking notes.
FAQ
What cleaning supplies do you need for a move-out clean? An all-purpose cleaner, a degreaser, a glass cleaner, a bathroom cleaner, baking soda, scrub sponges, microfiber cloths, a mop and bucket, a vacuum, rubber gloves and heavy trash bags.
When should you pack the cleaning supplies? Last. Set aside a box or bucket labeled for cleaning before you start packing, and don't let it go on the truck until the last room is done.
Should you clean before or after the movers come? Do the cabinets, closets and appliances as rooms empty, and save the floors and a final wipe for after the furniture is out. Furniture always leaves something behind.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
