Move-In Move-Out Cleaning: What a Vacant 2-Bed Toronto Condo Really Took (Case Study)

By the Clean Papi team, Toronto. Last updated October 24, 2026.

Quick answer: A professional move-in/move-out clean covers an empty home from top to bottom, including the places a regular clean never reaches: inside every cabinet and closet, every metre of baseboard, window and door tracks, and the floor behind the appliances. For the vacant two-bedroom, two-bathroom Toronto condo in this case study (about 950 sq ft), our crew of four cleaners took just over five hours. That covered behind and under every appliance, all cabinets, closets, bathrooms, windows and a large high-floor balcony. Clean Papi move-in/move-out cleans start at a flat $345 ($390 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home), with extras like the inside of the oven or a balcony priced separately.

Most move-in and move-out cleaning guides are generic checklists. This one is different. It walks through one real move-in clean we did this fall, from the client's first message to the final floor wash: what they asked for, what we found when we walked in, exactly what our crew cleaned and how, and what the job reminded us about cleaning empty homes.

We've left out every personal detail: no names, no building, no unit number, no neighbourhood. What's left is the work itself. If you're moving in or out of a Toronto home and wondering what a professional move clean actually involves, this is it, start to finish.

Along the way we answer the questions people most often ask Google and ChatGPT about move-in and move-out cleaning, using what we saw on this job rather than guesses.

Contents

• The home and what the client needed
• What we found when we walked in
• Our move-in/move-out cleaning process, step by step
• Room by room: everything we cleaned
• Cleaning behind and under the appliances
• The high-floor balcony
• How long it took
• What's included, what's extra and what it costs
• What this job reminded us about cleaning empty homes
• Move-in vs move-out vs deep cleaning
• Who is responsible for cleaning in Ontario?
• How to get your home ready for us
• How to photograph your home at move-in and move-out
• Your moving-week cleaning timeline
• Frequently asked questions

The home and what the client needed

The booking came in through our website about three weeks before the cleaning date. The home:

• Type: a vacant high-rise condo, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, about 944 sq ft
• Layout: open-concept kitchen and living room with an island, floor-to-ceiling windows, in-suite laundry and a long balcony with glass railings
• Floors: laminate throughout, tile in the bathrooms
• Condition: completely empty: no furniture, no belongings, no one living there
• Purpose: a move-in clean before the next occupants arrived

The client had just taken over the unit and was replacing every major appliance: the fridge, the range, the washer and the dryer. That one detail shaped the whole job. Normally the inside of the fridge and oven are two of the biggest tasks in a move clean. Here they were off the list. But the floor and walls behind those appliances moved to the top of it, because once the new appliances slide in, nobody will see behind them again for years.

Clear notes, clear priorities

The client's booking notes were short and specific. Paraphrased, they said:

1. What the home is: vacant, 944 sq ft, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, being cleaned for move-in.
2. What to skip: no need to clean inside the fridge, oven, washer or dryer, because they're all being replaced.
3. What matters most: cleaning behind and underneath the fridge, range, washer and dryer is "especially important." Move them if the team can. Cosmetic marks on the old appliances don't matter.
4. One extra: give the balcony a thorough clean, floor and railings included.

They also uploaded twelve photos: the balcony, both bathrooms, both bedrooms, a closet, the kitchen, the living room, the laundry area and the front door. Before our crew arrived, they already knew the layout, the finishes, the priorities and what to leave alone. That let us plan the crew, bring the right equipment for moving appliances and the balcony, and spend the time exactly where the client wanted it.

We've included a template based on these notes in the preparation section, so you can do the same when you book.

What we found when we walked in

Our crews photograph every room before they touch anything, so there's a clear record of the starting point. Here's what this home looked like on arrival.

It looked clean from the doorway. It wasn't.

An empty condo can look fine at first glance: no mess, no garbage, nothing on the floors. But an empty room hides nothing. Every flaw that furniture used to cover is suddenly on display:

• Baseboards and corners: a grey line of dust where the floor meets the baseboard, heaviest in the corners and where furniture used to stand.
• Window and balcony door tracks: grit, dead insects and dust packed into the sliding tracks of the floor-to-ceiling windows and the balcony door.
• Window frames: a film of grime on the lower frames, where condensation and city dust meet.
• Closets: dust on shelves and rods, and debris along the closet floors.
• Bathrooms: water spots and soap film on the vanities, tub and tile, and dust on every flat surface.
• Kitchen: fingerprints on the dark cabinet doors, crumbs in the drawers and runners, and a film on the backsplash.
• Balcony: a layer of city grime on the floor, and streaks and spots across the glass railing panels.

Behind the appliances

Behind the fridge, range and laundry machines was what years of normal use leaves behind: a mat of dust, crumbs and grease along the floor, lint gathered around the laundry machines, and cooking splatter on the wall and cabinet sides next to the range. It's the dirtiest part of almost every kitchen we clean, and the part a previous occupant almost never reaches.

Our move-in/move-out cleaning process, step by step

The order of work matters as much as the cleaning itself. Done in the wrong order, a move clean means cleaning the same floor three times. Here's how our crew ran this job, which is how we run every move clean.

Step 1: Walkthrough and before photos

The crew lead walked the home, checked it against the client's notes and photos, and split the work. With four cleaners, the split was roughly: one on the kitchen and appliances, one on the two bathrooms, one on the bedrooms and closets, and one on the living area, windows and balcony. Everyone photographed their area before starting.

Step 2: Appliances out first

Pulling a fridge drags dust and debris across the floor, so it has to happen before any floors are cleaned. The appliances came out first, with the floor protected (more on how below).

Step 3: Top to bottom

Dust falls. In every room we start high (light fixtures, the tops of door frames and doors, upper cabinets) and work down to window frames, sills, closet shelves, walls, baseboards and finally floors. Anything that falls lands on a surface that hasn't been cleaned yet.

Step 4: Dry before wet

Vacuuming tracks, corners, vents and shelves comes before any wiping or mopping. Wiping a dusty surface turns dust into mud and leaves streaks.

Step 5: Detail work

This is where a move clean is won or lost: inside every cabinet and drawer, every baseboard by hand, every window track, every switch plate and door handle. In an empty home, all of it is visible, so all of it gets done.

Step 6: Floors last, backing out of each room

Floors are vacuumed, then washed, edges and corners included, room by room. The crew works backward toward the door so nobody steps on a clean floor.

Step 7: After photos and final walkthrough

The crew photographs every area again, so the client can see the finished result even if they aren't there. When the client is there, we walk the home together before the crew leaves, so anything they'd like redone gets done on the spot.

Room by room: everything we cleaned

Kitchen

• Inside every cabinet and drawer: vacuumed, wiped and dried, including the drawer runners and the corners where crumbs collect
• Cabinet doors and handles inside and out, degreased where they sit near the range
• Upper cabinet tops and the open shelving above the fridge
• Countertops and the island, including the island's sides and kickplate
• Backsplash tile, with the grime along the counter edge and around outlets cleaned out
• Sink and faucet descaled and polished, the drain area scrubbed
• Range hood and microwave exteriors wiped and degreased
• Walls and cabinet sides beside the range, where splatter builds up
• Behind and under the fridge and range: floor and walls
• Light switches, outlets and the pot lights or track lights
• Floor vacuumed and washed, including under the island overhang

Skipped at the client's request: inside the fridge, oven and dishwasher, since they were being replaced. On a typical move clean where the appliances stay, the inside of the oven and fridge are among the most popular add-ons.

Bathrooms (both)

• Tub and tile surround scrubbed, with soap film and water spots removed
• Faucets, shower head and fixtures descaled and polished
• Toilets cleaned inside and out, including the hinges, the base and the floor behind
• Vanities inside and out: drawers, the cabinet under the sink, the countertop and the sink
• Mirrors cleaned streak-free
• Exhaust fan cover, light fixtures and switch plates
• Towel bars, toilet paper holders and door handles
• Baseboards and the door, top to bottom
• Floors scrubbed by hand, edges and corners included

Bedrooms and closets

• Closet shelves, rods and closet floors, plus the closet door tracks
• Window frames, sills and tracks
• Baseboards by hand, the full length of each room
• Doors, door frames and handles
• Light fixtures, outlets and switch plates
• Vents and returns dusted
• Floors vacuumed edge to edge and washed

Living area and windows

• Interior glass on the floor-to-ceiling windows the client added to the booking
• Window and balcony door tracks: vacuumed, brushed out and wiped
• Window frames and sills, including the lower frame grime
• Baseboards, switches and outlets
• Floors vacuumed and washed

Laundry area

• Machines pulled out where possible, with the floor and walls behind them cleaned
• Lint and dust cleared from around and under the machines
• Machine exteriors wiped (the insides were skipped, since the machines were being replaced)
• Shelving and the laundry closet door and track

Entry and hallway

• Front door, inside and out, including the handle, peephole and frame
• Entry closet shelves, rod and floor
• Light switches, intercom panel and thermostat wiped
• Baseboards and floor

Cleaning behind and under the appliances

"Should I clean behind the fridge when I move out?" is one of the most common move-cleaning questions we hear. Short answer: yes, if it can be moved safely. It's where most of a kitchen's hidden dirt lives, and a landlord, buyer or new tenant who pulls the fridge out will see it. On this job, it was the client's top priority. Here's how we do it.

We protect the floor first

Laminate, vinyl plank and hardwood scratch and dent easily, and the levelling feet on the bottom of a fridge or range will gouge a floor if dragged. Before anything moves, our crew lays down floor protection, raises the front levelling feet if needed so the rear rollers do the work, and pulls the appliance straight out in small, slow movements. No twisting, no dragging.

We watch what's connected

• Fridges with ice makers or water dispensers have a water line at the back. We pull only as far as the line allows and check it isn't kinked when the fridge goes back in. A pinched line can leak slowly into the wall or the floor.
• Electric ranges, standard in Toronto condos, are pulled far enough to clean without straining the cord or plug. Gas ranges are a different matter. A gas connection should only be moved by someone qualified, so we don't pull gas appliances.
• Dryers have a vent duct. We pull gently so the duct stays connected, and clear the lint that collects around it, which is also a fire-safety habit worth having at home.
• Stacked washer-dryers in tight condo closets often can't be moved. In those cases we clean around and underneath them as far as tools reach.

We clean in the right order

1. Vacuum the loose debris off the floor and the back of the appliance
2. Vacuum the condenser coils gently on fridges that are staying (dusty coils make a fridge work harder)
3. Degrease the wall and cabinet sides beside the range
4. Wash the floor, edges included, and let it dry
5. Wipe the appliance sides, push it back and check any water line or vent

When we leave an appliance in place

Built-in or panelled fridges, wall ovens, anything bolted down, and anything wedged in so tightly that pulling it would damage cabinets or flooring stay where they are. In those cases we clean everything we can reach around them.

On our booking form, cleaning behind the oven ($30) and behind the fridge ($15) are add-ons, done wherever the appliance slides out safely.

The high-floor balcony

The client asked for the balcony floor and railings to get a thorough clean. It was a long balcony with glass railing panels, on a high floor. High-floor balconies collect a fine, dark grime from wind and city air, plus whatever drifts down from the floors above. Here's what a proper balcony clean involved.

No hosing

Many Toronto condo corporations don't allow hosing or pouring water on balconies, because it runs over the edge onto the units and balconies below. We clean balconies the way a careful neighbour would: sweep first, wash the floor in sections with a bucket and scrub brush, then squeegee and towel up the dirty water rather than letting it run off the edge.

Glass panels, frames and rails

Glass railing panels show every streak, and a long balcony has a lot of them. Each panel is washed, squeegeed and detailed along the edges and frame, where grime collects. The aluminium rail and posts are wiped down separately. Spots on balcony glass are mostly dried rain and dust, and they come off with a proper glass routine rather than a quick wipe.

The balcony door track

The balcony door track is usually the dirtiest track in a condo, because it collects everything tracked in from outside. We vacuum it, brush it out and wipe it as part of the window work.

Balcony cleaning is a sized add-on with us: $60 for a small balcony (up to about 50 sq ft), up to $150 for a corner balcony or patio over 150 sq ft.

How long it took

Here's how the day went:

Time	What happened
Just after 10:00 a.m.	Crew arrives, walkthrough begins
10:15 to 10:50 a.m.	Before photos, appliances pulled out, floor protection down
10:45 a.m. to about 2:45 p.m.	Kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, closets, windows, laundry area and balcony
About 2:45 to 3:00 p.m.	Final floors and after photos
3:10 p.m.	Crew finishes and leaves

Four cleaners, about five hours, for a 944 sq ft condo. One person working alone would have needed about 20 hours, or two and a half full working days. And that's without the inside of the fridge, oven, dishwasher, washer or dryer.

Why an empty home takes longer than you'd think

• Everything is exposed. In a furnished home, nobody sees the baseboard behind the couch. In an empty one, every metre is visible, so every metre gets cleaned.
• Everything is open. Every cabinet, drawer and closet is empty and gets cleaned inside. A two-bedroom condo easily has 30 or more shelves and drawers.
• The standard is higher. A move clean is judged by a landlord, a buyer or someone about to live there for years, and they'll open things.
• Some tasks only happen at move time. Behind the appliances, inside the cabinets and the window tracks aren't part of a normal clean.

Typical times for a move clean

For a reasonably kept, empty home, here's what to plan your day around:

Home	Typical crew	Typical time on site
Studio or 1-bed condo	2 cleaners	3 to 5 hours
2-bed condo or apartment	2 to 4 cleaners	4 to 6 hours
3-bed house or townhouse	3 to 4 cleaners	5 to 8 hours

The inside of the oven and fridge, heavy grease, a balcony, pets or items left behind add time. Two planning tips: don't book the cleaners and the movers for the same morning, and leave a comfortable buffer before any landlord inspection or key handover.

What's included, what's extra and what it costs

Every Clean Papi move-in/move-out clean is sold at one flat price based on the size of your home. You choose any extras when you book and see your total before you pay. Here's what's in the base clean and what you can add.

Included in every move-in/move-out clean

• Kitchen: countertops, backsplash, sink and faucet, cabinet and appliance exteriors, range hood exterior, floors
• Bathrooms: tub, shower and tile, toilets, vanities and sinks, mirrors, fixtures, floors
• Bedrooms and living areas: closets, doors and frames, baseboards, window sills, light switches and fixtures, floors
• Throughout: dusting top to bottom, vents, outlets and switch plates, entry and front door, all floors vacuumed and washed
• Before and after photos of every area
• All equipment and cleaning products

Add-ons

Add-on	Price
Inside the oven (racks and door glass)	$50
Inside the fridge (shelves, drawers, seals)	$50
Inside the dishwasher	$30
Stove top and range hood degreased	$60
Behind the oven	$30
Behind the fridge	$15
Inside cabinets and drawers	$5 per shelf or drawer
Interior windows	$7 per window
Wall spot-cleaning (marks and scuffs)	$5 per spot
Shower limescale removal	$30 per shower
Tile grout deep scrub	$60 per washroom
Bathtub mould removal	$200 per tub
Laundry area (around and behind the machines)	$30
Balcony	$60 to $150 by size

What this job's scope would cost today

Item	Price
Move-in/move-out clean, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms	$390
Behind the oven	$30
Behind the fridge	$15
Laundry area	$30
Inside cabinets and drawers (about 30)	about $150
Interior windows (4)	$28
Large balcony	$120
Total before HST	about $763

Because the appliances were being replaced, the inside of the oven, fridge and dishwasher ($130 together) wasn't needed. A simpler move clean with no extras starts at $345 for a studio, one- or two-bedroom, and $440 for a three-bedroom. For a typical Toronto move-out, expect roughly $400 to $800 for a two-bedroom condo depending on condition and extras. See the move-in/move-out cleaning page or our pricing page for your exact total.

What this job reminded us about cleaning empty homes

We've cleaned a lot of empty homes in Toronto, and every one teaches us something. This one sharpened five things that now shape how we approach every move clean.

1. The baseboards are what people notice first

Walk into an empty room and your eye goes straight to the line where the floor meets the wall. A dusty baseboard makes an otherwise clean room look neglected. A clean one makes the whole room look finished. That's why our crews clean baseboards by hand, the full length of every room, rather than running a vacuum attachment along them.

2. The worst dirt is always where you can't see it

Behind the fridge, under the range, around the dryer and in the window tracks. These spots go years without a clean, and an empty home is often the only chance to get to them. When a client tells us appliances are being replaced, it's the perfect moment: we can move them freely, clean the space properly and leave it ready for the new ones.

3. Window tracks deserve their own step

Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding balcony doors are beautiful, and their tracks are packed with grit. Wiping them just pushes the dirt around. The method that works is vacuum first, brush out the corners, then wipe. It's slow, and it's one of the most visible differences between a quick clean and a proper move clean.

4. Balconies need a neighbour-friendly method

A high-floor balcony can't be hosed, and the glass panels show every streak. A bucket, brush and squeegee approach, collecting the dirty water instead of letting it run off, gets the balcony clean without a complaint from the unit below.

5. Clear priorities make for the best result

The client told us what mattered most, what to skip and what risks they were comfortable with. That let our crew put their time exactly where it counted. When you book any move clean, a few lines about your priorities and a handful of photos are the most useful things you can give your cleaners.

Move-in vs move-out vs deep cleaning

A move-in clean and a move-out clean are essentially the same work: a top-to-bottom clean of an empty home. What differs is who it's for and what they're worried about.

	Move-out clean	Move-in clean
Who books it	The tenant or seller leaving	The tenant, buyer or owner arriving
Main goal	Hand the home back in good condition	Start fresh, with nobody else's grime left behind
Who judges it	Landlord, property manager or buyer	You, before your belongings go in
Focus areas	Appliances, bathrooms, floors and anything an inspection checks	Everything you'll touch or store food in: cabinets, drawers, fridge, bathrooms
Best timing	After the last box leaves, before the inspection or handover	After you get the keys, before the movers arrive

Deep cleaning is different. It's done in a lived-in home, working around furniture and belongings. A move clean is done in an empty home, so it reaches everything: inside every cabinet, closet and drawer, every metre of baseboard, and behind the appliances. For more, see our move-in cleaning guide, our move-out cleaning checklist and our deep vs regular cleaning guide.

Who is responsible for cleaning in Ontario?

This is general information, not legal advice. For a specific dispute, contact the Landlord and Tenant Board or a legal clinic.

Tenants moving out

Under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, a tenant is responsible for the "ordinary cleanliness" of the rental unit, unless the lease says the landlord cleans it. In practice, leave the unit in the condition you found it, minus normal wear and tear.

Ontario landlords can't collect a damage or security deposit. The only deposits allowed are a rent deposit (usually last month's rent) and a refundable key deposit, so "clean to get your deposit back" doesn't work here the way it does elsewhere. A landlord who believes a former tenant caused damage or left the unit in an unreasonable state can still apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for costs. A clean unit and good photos are your best protection.

Is the landlord required to clean before a new tenant moves in?

The Act requires landlords to keep a rental unit in a good state of repair and fit for habitation. It doesn't spell out a professional cleaning standard between tenancies, and in practice the standard varies a lot. If you move in and the unit is dirty, photograph everything right away and raise it with your landlord in writing. Many people simply book a move-in clean so their first night isn't spent scrubbing someone else's bathroom.

Buyers and sellers

In a home sale, how clean the property must be on closing depends on the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Many agreements don't set a cleaning standard unless a clause is added. If it matters to you, ask your agent about one, and plan a move-in clean either way. Pre-closing visits are short, and that's not when you'll notice what's behind the fridge.

How to get your home ready for us

When you book

• Send photos of every room, the inside of the fridge and oven, the bathrooms and any balcony. A two-minute video walk-through is even better.
• Decide on appliances: are any being replaced (skip their insides) or staying (add the inside of the oven and fridge)?
• Count your cabinets and drawers roughly, and note any balcony and its size.
• Write a short note using the template below.

A booking note template

Copy this into the notes box when you book. It's modelled on the note from the job above.

Home: [vacant / partly furnished], [size] sq ft, [X] bedrooms, [X] bathrooms, for [move-in / move-out].

Skip: [e.g. inside the fridge and oven, they're being replaced]

Top priorities: [e.g. behind and under the appliances, the balcony, the second bathroom]

OK to move: [e.g. fridge, range, washer/dryer; cosmetic marks on the old appliances are fine]

Don't touch: [e.g. the stored boxes in the second bedroom closet]

Access: [concierge, lockbox, fob, elevator booking, visitor parking]

Condo access checklist

Most of the move cleans we do in Toronto are in condos. A few minutes with your concierge or property manager makes cleaning day smooth:

• Tell the concierge a cleaning crew is coming, and when. Some buildings ask residents to pre-register service providers.
• Elevators: if your movers have the service elevator booked, make sure the timing doesn't overlap with the clean.
• Parking: let us know about visitor parking or a loading area the crew can use.
• Keys and fobs: if you won't be there, arrange a lockbox, a concierge key drop or a meeting time, and write down exactly how to get in.
• Garbage: tell us where the garbage and recycling room is.

On cleaning day

• Empty the home if you can. Belongings left behind can't be cleaned under or around properly.
• Keep the power and water on. Lights, hot water and power for the vacuums are essential.
• Leave appliances accessible if you want them cleaned behind: nothing stored on top, nothing wedged beside them.
• Stay reachable by phone for quick questions like "there's a box in the closet, keep or toss?"
• Walk through it with the crew before they leave and point out anything you want redone while they're still on site. Noticed something later? Tell us, ideally with a photo, and we'll look at it with you.

You don't need to supply anything. Our crew brings commercial vacuums, microfibre, mops, scrub brushes, squeegees, floor protection for moving appliances and all the cleaning products.

How to photograph your home at move-in and move-out

We photograph every room before and after each move clean. You should take your own photos too, because they're the simplest protection in any landlord, tenant or buyer dispute.

• Do it twice: once when you get the keys, before anything goes in, and once when you hand them back.
• Turn on every light and open the blinds.
• Shoot each room from the doorway, then from the opposite corner.
• Go close on the inside of the oven and fridge, the stove top, the bathtub, the toilet base, the vanity, the window tracks and any marks on walls or floors.
• Open things: cabinets, drawers, closets and the dishwasher. An inspector will.
• Record existing damage clearly, with something in the frame for scale.
• Keep the originals. Your phone saves the date and time. Back them up, and email the key ones to your landlord or agent if there's anything you want on record.
• A video works too. One slow walk through the home, narrating as you go, takes five minutes.

Your moving-week cleaning timeline

When	What to do
3 to 4 weeks before	Book your move clean, especially for month-end dates and the summer moving season. Ask your building about elevator bookings and service-provider rules.
2 weeks before	Take photos of the home and add them to your booking with your notes. Decide which appliances stay and which go.
1 week before	Start using up the food in the fridge and freezer. Arrange donation or junk pickup for anything you're not taking.
2 to 3 days before	Confirm the cleaning time and access details, and tell the concierge. Make sure the utilities stay on through cleaning day.
Moving day	Get everything out. If the fridge is being cleaned inside, empty and unplug it and leave the door open to air out.
Cleaning day	Hand over access, stay reachable, and do the walkthrough or look at the after photos.
Handover or inspection	Take your own final photos, return the keys and keep a record of when you did.

Moving in? Flip the order: get the keys, take your move-in photos, have the clean done, then let the movers in. Moving on or around July 1st, the busiest moving day of the year in Toronto? Read our July 1st move cleaning guide and book early.

Frequently asked questions about move-in and move-out cleaning

What is included in a move-in/move-out cleaning?

A move clean covers the whole empty home from top to bottom: kitchen countertops, backsplash, sink and cabinet exteriors, full bathroom cleaning including tubs, toilets and vanities, closets, baseboards, doors and frames, light switches and fixtures, window sills, and all floors vacuumed and washed. With Clean Papi, the inside of the oven, fridge and dishwasher, behind appliances, inside cabinets, interior windows and balconies are priced add-ons, so you only pay for what your home needs.

How long does a move-out cleaning take?

With a professional crew, an empty one-bedroom condo usually takes two cleaners 3 to 5 hours, a two-bedroom takes 2 to 4 cleaners 4 to 6 hours, and a three-bedroom house takes 3 to 4 cleaners 5 to 8 hours. The vacant two-bedroom condo in this post took four cleaners about five hours, without the insides of the appliances.

How much does move-out cleaning cost in Toronto?

Expect roughly $300 to $500 for a studio or one-bedroom condo, $400 to $800 for a two-bedroom, and $450 to $1,000 or more for a three-bedroom house, depending on condition and extras. Clean Papi move-in/move-out cleans start at a flat $345 before add-ons and HST.

Is a move-in cleaning worth it?

For most people, yes. Previous occupants rarely clean behind appliances, inside every cabinet or along every baseboard, and once your furniture and food are in, those areas are much harder to reach. A move-in clean is the one time the home is completely empty and every surface is accessible.

Should I clean behind the fridge and stove when moving out?

Yes, if they can be moved safely. That's where the most hidden dirt in a kitchen builds up, and a landlord, buyer or new tenant who pulls them out will see it. Protect the floor, mind any water line, and leave gas and built-in appliances where they are.

Do I need to clean inside the oven and fridge if they're being replaced?

No. If an appliance is being removed, cleaning its inside is wasted time and money. Tell your cleaner up front so they can skip it and focus on the floor and walls behind it instead.

Is an empty house faster to clean?

Not usually. Empty homes expose every baseboard, corner, closet and cabinet, and each one gets cleaned. Move cleans in empty homes often take longer than deep cleans in furnished ones.

Do I need to be there during the clean?

No. Many of our move clients leave access with a concierge or lockbox. If you can, come for the final walkthrough so anything you want redone is handled while the crew is still there. If not, you'll see the after photos.

Do cleaners bring their own supplies and equipment?

We do: vacuums, microfibre, mops, scrub brushes, squeegees, floor protection for moving appliances and all the cleaning products. You just need the water and electricity on.

Should I book the cleaners before or after the movers?

For a move-out, book the clean after the last box has left. For a move-in, book it after you get the keys and before your movers arrive, ideally the day before. If appliances are being replaced, the best time is before the new ones go in.

How far in advance should I book a move-out cleaning?

Two to four weeks ahead is ideal, and earlier for month-end dates and the summer moving season. A $99 deposit holds your date, and you can reschedule for free with at least 24 hours' notice if your moving date changes.

Can I clean a condo balcony with a hose?

Usually not. Many Toronto condo corporations don't allow hosing balconies, because the water runs onto the units below. Check your building's rules. A bucket, scrub brush and squeegee, collecting the dirty water rather than pouring it off, does the job.

The previous tenant left the place dirty. What should I do?

Photograph everything before you bring anything in, and send the photos to your landlord or property manager in writing. Then decide whether to wait for them to deal with it or book a move-in clean so you can move in on time. Either way, the photos are your record.

Can the cleaners work while my movers are there?

It's possible, but it slows both crews down, and floors cleaned during a move get dirty again straight away. The best result comes from cleaning an empty home: after the last box leaves on a move-out, or before the first one arrives on a move-in.

Do you clean inside kitchen cabinets and closets?

Yes. Closets are part of every move clean, and inside cabinets and drawers is an add-on priced per shelf or drawer, so you only pay for what your home has.

Do you wash walls?

We spot-clean marks, scuffs and fingerprints, priced per spot. If walls are heavily marked or smoke-stained, a fresh coat of paint is usually the better answer, and that's a job for a painter.

Can I do a move-out clean myself?

Yes, especially for a small home in good shape. Plan on one and a half to two and a half days for a two-bedroom, and bring a vacuum with crevice and brush tools, plenty of microfibre cloths, a degreaser, a non-scratch scrub pad and something to protect the floor when moving appliances. Work top to bottom, dry before wet, and do the floors last. Our move-out checklist lists every task.

How much should I tip move-out cleaners?

Tipping is appreciated but never expected. If you're happy with the work, 10 to 20 percent is common for one-time cleans in Toronto, and a review that mentions the crew helps them too.

Does my landlord in Ontario keep a deposit if the unit is dirty?

Ontario landlords can't collect a damage or security deposit, only a rent deposit (usually last month's rent) and a refundable key deposit. A landlord can still apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for costs if they believe a former tenant caused damage. Leaving the unit clean and keeping photos protects you.

What doesn't a move-out clean include?

A cleaning crew doesn't paint, patch holes, repair damage, remove large furniture or junk, or shampoo carpets. If you need carpet cleaning, ask us and we'll point you to a specialist. Small items left behind, like hangers or a few cups, can usually be bagged with the garbage if you tell us in advance.

The short version

A vacant two-bedroom Toronto condo, cleaned properly, took four cleaners about five hours. We started with the appliances, worked every room top to bottom, cleaned inside every cabinet and closet and along every baseboard, cleared every window track and finished a long glass balcony without a drop running onto the unit below. The client's clear priorities let us put the time exactly where it mattered.

If you're moving in Toronto or the GTA, see everything our move-in/move-out cleaning includes, check the flat prices and add-ons, or book online and see your total before you pay a deposit.

Related Clean Papi services

• Move-in / move-out cleaning
• Deep cleaning
• Window cleaning
• Post-construction cleaning
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• Service areas across the GTA
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Related guides

• The Toronto move-out cleaning checklist
• Move-in cleaning in Toronto: the first-night guide
• Move in/move out cleaning for July 1st in Toronto
• Toronto condo cleaning guide
• What cleaning costs in Toronto
• Pre-listing cleaning for sellers