# Move-out cleaning: Kitchen ### What a “move-out clean” kitchen usually means - Cabinets and drawers are empty, crumb-free and cleaned inside and outside. - Countertops and sink are free of grease film, stains and odors. - The stove and oven are visibly clean, including the door and seals. - The extractor fan filter is cleaned, and visible surfaces are grease-free. - Fridge and freezer are emptied, washed, dried and odor-free. - The floor is vacuumed and mopped without sticky residue. --- ## Equipment and product choices ### Minimum equipment - Microfiber cloths, including one for glass or steel. - Dish brush, sponge and non-scratch scrub pad. - Small detail brush and cotton swabs for corners. - Bucket, optional spray bottle and squeegee for glass. - Vacuum cleaner with crevice attachment. - Mop and bucket or spray mop. - Trash bags and paper towels. - Gloves. ### Minimum chemistry for a kitchen - **Neutral all-purpose cleaner** for cabinets and general surfaces. - **Dish soap** for grease and fingerprints. - **Kitchen degreaser** for grease film around the stove and extractor fan. - **Oven cleaner** only when necessary and if it matches the appliance instructions. - **Glass cleaner** optionally for windows and glass. ### Safety - Limit airborne spray by applying product to the cloth when possible. - Never mix products. - Read labels and use the right product for the right material. --- ## Workflow ```mermaid flowchart TD A[Ventilate and prepare equipment] --> B[Empty the kitchen] B --> C[Start dwell-time tasks: oven, degreaser, filter] C --> D[Dry work: dust and crumbs] D --> E[Cabinets and drawers] E --> F[Countertops, backsplash, sink] F --> G[Appliances] G --> H[Finish oven and stovetop] H --> I[Extractor fan] I --> J[Floor] J --> K[Final odor and detail check] ``` --- ## Time estimate and difficulty | Task | Time | Level | Main time factor | |---|---:|---|---| | Emptying and sorting | 30–90 min | Medium | Amount of contents | | Cabinets and drawers | 60–180 min | Medium–high | Grease film and quantity | | Countertop, backsplash, sink | 30–90 min | Medium | Grease and limescale | | Extractor fan | 20–75 min | Medium–high | Amount of grease | | Oven and stovetop | 45–180 min | High | Burnt-on residue | | Fridge and freezer | 30–120 min | Medium | Ice, odor and shelves | | Dishwasher | 20–60 min | Medium | Filter and spray arms | | Floor and skirting | 20–60 min | Medium | Crumbs and grease near cooking zone | | Final control | 10–30 min | Easy | How detailed you are | **Typical total:** 4–10 hours. --- ## Step by step ### Before you start 1. **Ventilate and organize** - Open a window or door. - Set up clean cloths, dirty cloths and a separate cloth for glass or steel. 2. **Empty everything** - Empty cabinets and drawers. - Throw away expired food and sort waste. - Remove shelves and inserts where possible. ### Start dwell-time tasks early 3. **Begin with the oven and grease** - Use the oven's self-cleaning program if appropriate and if time allows. - Otherwise apply oven cleaner only when needed. - Put degreaser on greasy zones above the stove, around the extractor fan and on handles. 4. **Soak the grease filter** - Remove the metal grease filter from the extractor hood. - Wash by hand or in the dishwasher if the manufacturer allows it. - Let it dry fully before reinstalling. ### Cabinets and drawers 5. **Dry work first** - Vacuum drawers, corners, kickboard areas and gaps. - Dust the tops of cabinets if reachable. 6. **Clean inside** - Use a lightly damp cloth with mild cleaner or warm water with a little dish soap. - Wipe again with clean water and dry thoroughly. 7. **Clean outside** - Kitchen fronts often have grease film. - Avoid abrasive pads on glossy or painted surfaces. ### Countertops, backsplash and sink 8. **Countertop and backsplash** - Remove grease film with dish soap or kitchen cleaner. - Wipe with clean water afterward and dry. 9. **Sink and faucet** - Clean the bowl, edges and drain basket. - Remove odor sources in and around the drain. - Dry to reduce streaks. ### Appliances 10. **Fridge and freezer** - Empty completely. - Wash shelves and drawers with lukewarm water and mild cleaner. - Dry everything well. - Leave the door slightly open in an empty property if relevant. 11. **Dishwasher** - Clean the filter and the bottom area. - Check spray arms for blocked holes. - Run a hot empty cycle if needed and if time allows. ### Finish the stove and extractor fan 12. **Stovetop and oven** - Use the right method for the surface type. - Clean racks, rails, the oven door, gasket and handle. - Do not forget the top and sides of the cooker. 13. **Extractor fan** - Wipe visible inner and outer surfaces where grease settles. - Reinstall the dry filter. ### Floor and final check 14. **Floor** - Vacuum along plinths, under cabinet edges and around appliances. - Mop with enough cleaner to clean, but not enough to leave a film. 15. **Final inspection** - Check fronts and countertops in angled light for grease film. - Smell-check the drain, fridge and extractor fan. - Take overview and detail photos. --- ## Common mistakes - Cleaning the floor too early and having to redo it. - Cleaning only the outside or only the inside of cabinets. - Forgetting the extractor fan filter. - Using too much cleaning product and leaving soap film. - Scratching glossy or stainless surfaces with abrasive tools. --- ## Stains and minor damage ### Grease that does not come off - Warm water, dish soap and time usually work better than aggressive scrubbing. - Degreaser may be needed around the stove and hood. ### Burnt-on oven residue - Self-cleaning functions save effort but take time and create heat. - If you use chemical oven cleaner, ventilate well and protect sensitive parts. ### Kitchen fronts and counters - Many furniture manufacturers advise against abrasive products and strong solvents. Follow surface guidance when available. --- ## Printable final checklist - [ ] All cabinets and drawers emptied - [ ] Cabinets and drawers vacuumed and cleaned inside - [ ] Fronts and handles cleaned - [ ] Countertops and backsplash cleaned - [ ] Sink and faucet cleaned and dried - [ ] Drain basket cleaned and odor checked - [ ] Fridge and freezer emptied, cleaned and dried - [ ] Oven, stovetop and cooker cleaned - [ ] Extractor fan filter cleaned and reinstalled dry - [ ] Dishwasher filter cleaned - [ ] Floor vacuumed and mopped - [ ] Waste removed - [ ] Kitchen ventilated 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/ - Electrolux support - Pyrolytic cleaning: https://support.electrolux.no/support-articles/article/slik-bruker-du-pyrolytisk-rengjoring-pa-din-electrolux-ovn - Bosch - Dishwasher filter cleaning: https://www.bosch-home.no/kundeservice/hvis-du-trenger-hjelp/rengjoering-oppvaskmaskin-filter