# Move-out cleaning: Bathroom (wet room) ### What a “move-out clean” bathroom usually means in practice - No visible limescale film on taps, shower glass, tiles or fixtures. - No hair, dirt or grey residue in the drain, grout lines or corners. - The toilet is clean inside and outside, with no visible discoloration. - Mirrors and shiny surfaces are free of streaks. - Cabinets and drawers are emptied and cleaned inside and outside. - The room is aired out and smells neutral, not artificially masked. --- ## Equipment and products ### What you actually need - Gloves and preferably safety glasses if there is a risk of splashing. - Microfiber cloths, including one separate cloth for glass. - A soft sponge and a non-scratch scrub pad. - Toilet brush and a small detail brush. - Bucket, optional spray bottle, and a small squeegee for shower screens. - Vacuum cleaner for hair and dust before wet cleaning. - Mop and bucket or spray mop. - Trash bags, paper towels and cotton swabs for detail work. ### Product choices **1) Neutral all-purpose cleaner** - For everyday dirt, bathroom furniture, doors, switches and surfaces that tolerate light moisture. **2) Bathroom cleaner / limescale remover** - For the shower, fixtures, tiles, sink and toilet area. **3) Toilet cleaner** - For the bowl and under the rim. **4) Glass cleaner (optional)** - Useful for mirrors and shower glass when you want a streak-free finish. ### Safety - Avoid spraying chemicals into the air when possible. Spray into the cloth instead and ventilate well. - Never mix cleaning products, especially bleach with ammonia or acids. - Read the label and dose correctly. Too much product usually means more rinsing and more streaks. ## Workflow Work from top to bottom and from dry work to wet work. ```mermaid flowchart TD A[Ventilate and turn on the fan] --> B[Clear and empty the room] B --> C[Apply toilet cleaner and limescale remover] C --> D[Dry cleaning: dust, hair, vents] D --> E[Shower or tub] E --> F[Sink and bathroom furniture] F --> G[Toilet] G --> H[Mirrors and glass] H --> I[Drain] I --> J[Floor] J --> K[Final check and photos] ``` --- ## Time estimate and difficulty For one average-size bathroom: | Task | Time | Level | Main time factor | |---|---:|---|---| | Emptying and preparation | 10–30 min | Easy | How much stuff is in the room | | Product dwell time | 15–45 min | Easy | Limescale and toilet staining | | Shower or bathtub | 35–120 min | Medium–high | Limescale, grout, glass | | Sink and mirror | 20–50 min | Medium | Product residue and limescale | | Cabinets and drawers | 15–45 min | Medium | Number of surfaces | | Toilet inside and outside | 25–60 min | Medium–high | Staining and access | | Drain cleaning | 15–45 min | Medium | Hair and buildup | | Floor and details | 20–45 min | Medium | Tile and grout condition | | Final control | 10–20 min | Easy | How detailed you are | **Typical total:** 2.5–6 hours. --- ## Step by step ### Before you start 1. **Ventilate** - Open a window or door if possible and turn on the fan. - Plan to work from top to bottom. 2. **Clear the bathroom** - Remove bottles, toothbrushes, bath mats and baskets. - Empty cabinets and drawers. 3. **Apply products early** - Put toilet cleaner in the bowl and under the rim. - Apply bathroom cleaner or limescale remover to taps, shower glass and tiles where needed. ### Dry work first 4. **Vacuum hair and dust** - Floor, corners, behind the toilet and around exposed pipes. - Vacuum vents with a brush attachment. ### Shower or bathtub 5. **Scrub and rinse** - Start with glass, then walls, then the shower floor. - Work methodically from top to bottom. - Rinse well and dry with a squeegee or dry microfiber cloth. 6. **Grout and corners** - Use a detail brush where dirt collects. - Be careful with strong acids on grout and always test a small area first. ### Sink and bathroom furniture 7. **Sink and tap** - Clean the basin and tap thoroughly. - Remove limescale gently around the aerator. - Rinse and dry for a better finish. 8. **Cabinets, drawers and fronts** - Vacuum crumbs and debris first. - Wipe inside with lightly damp microfiber and mild cleaner. - Wipe again with clean water and dry thoroughly. ### Toilet 9. **Toilet bowl** - Brush inside well, including under the rim. - Let the cleaner work longer if needed, then brush again and flush. 10. **Outside of the toilet** - Clean the lid, seat, hinges, cistern and outer bowl. - Do not forget behind and underneath the toilet. ### Drain and smell control 11. **Clean the drain** - Remove the cover. - Remove hair and soap residue mechanically with paper and gloves. - Wash visible surfaces and reinstall everything. 12. **Check for odors** - Bad drain smells usually come from buildup. Mechanical cleaning is the most important step. ### Floor and final details 13. **Clean the floor** - Vacuum again before mopping. - Use only enough cleaner to avoid a sticky film. - Change the water if it becomes grey. 14. **Small details** - Door and handle. - Light switches. - Skirting boards, edges and visible pipes. 15. **Final inspection** - Use angled light or your phone flashlight on glass, tiles and shiny fittings. - Take overview photos and detail photos. --- ## Common mistakes - Letting limescale remover dry on the surface. - Washing the floor too early and having to redo it. - Forgetting behind or under the toilet. - Using too much soap and leaving film on tiles and furniture. - Using abrasive pads on glossy surfaces. --- ## Gentle stain and damage handling ### Limescale and shower film - Start with a bathroom product made for limescale and let time do the work. - Vinegar is a common home remedy, but acidic products can damage some materials. Test first. ### Dark marks in silicone or grout - If dark spots remain after cleaning, the problem may be discoloration or mold inside the material. Document it and clarify responsibility. ### Scratches or dull areas on furniture - Avoid abrasive “magic” sponges on glossy or painted surfaces unless you know the material can handle it. --- ## Printable final checklist - [ ] All loose items removed - [ ] Vent and exhaust grille vacuumed and visibly clean - [ ] Shower or bathtub cleaned thoroughly - [ ] Shower glass free of limescale and streaks - [ ] Fixtures descaled and dried - [ ] Sink cleaned, including drain area - [ ] Mirror streak-free - [ ] Cabinets and drawers emptied and cleaned inside and outside - [ ] Toilet bowl clean, including under the rim - [ ] Toilet exterior cleaned, including hinges and behind it - [ ] Drain cleaned - [ ] Floor vacuumed and mopped, including corners - [ ] Door, handle and switches wiped down - [ ] Bathroom aired out and neutral-smelling - [ ] Photos taken --- ## Sources and useful links - Tenancy Act section 10-2 (Lovdata): https://lovdata.no/nav/lov/1999-03-26-17/kap10 - HTU - Move-out: https://www.htu.no/rettigheter-og-plikter/utflytting - HTU - Required condition at handover: https://www.htu.no/artikler/i-hvilken-stand-ma-boligen-vaere-ved-tilbakelevering - HTU - Tenant did not clean properly: https://www.htu.no/vanlige-uenigheter/leietaker-har-ikke-vasket-ordentlig - Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority - Cleaning work and chemicals: https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/risikofylt-arbeid/kjemikalier/renholdsarbeid-og-kjemisk-pavirkning/ - Norwegian Environment Agency - Labelling and safety data sheets: https://www.miljodirektoratet.no/publikasjoner/2013/november-2013/vaske--og-rengjoringsmidler-krav-til-merking-og-datablad/ - Helsenorge poison information - Never mix ammonia and bleach: https://www.helsenorge.no/giftinformasjon/produkter-og-kjemikalier/vaskemidler/salmiakk-og-klorin-skal-ikke-blandes/ - FHI - Ventilation and airing out: https://www.fhi.no/sm/luftveisinfeksjoner/nyventilasjon-og-inneklima-og-risiko-for-smitte-av-luftveisinfeksjoner-side/