# Move-out cleaning: Living room and common living areas ## Assumptions and quality level Move-out cleaning is rarely about making a room look sterile. It is about making it feel visibly and sensibly clean: - no dust lines, hair clumps or crumbs, - no visible marks on walls and doors, - no streaks on mirrors or glass, - no hidden dust traps in vents, skirting boards or behind furniture, - no trapped or artificial odor. Take photos when you are done, and ideally do a final walkthrough with the other party. ## Equipment and products ### Minimum equipment - Vacuum cleaner with crevice and brush attachments. - Microfiber cloths. - Mop and bucket or spray mop. - Mild all-purpose cleaner. - Dish soap for greasy marks. - Glass cleaner and optionally a squeegee. - Non-scratch scrub pad and soft sponge. - Gloves and a step stool. ### Basic safety - Never mix cleaning products. - Be careful with sprays in small rooms. - Use correct dosing. More product usually means more streaks. ## Workflow ```mermaid flowchart TD A[Plan and ventilate] --> B[Clear the room] B --> C[Set up clean and dirty cloths] C --> D[Dry cleaning from top to bottom] D --> E[Spot cleaning on walls and doors] E --> F[Textiles] F --> G[Windows and mirrors] G --> H[Floor] H --> I[Details, smell check and photos] ``` ## Time estimate | Task | Time | Level | Main time factor | |---|---:|---|---| | Emptying and waste removal | 20–60 min | Easy | Amount of items | | Dust and cobwebs | 15–35 min | Easy | Ceiling height | | Vents, radiators, skirting, frames | 25–60 min | Medium | Number of details | | Doors, handles and switches | 15–30 min | Easy | Fingerprints and grease | | Windows inside | 30–90 min | Medium | Number of panes | | Textiles | 30–120 min | Medium–high | Hair, stains and drying | | Floor | 20–50 min | Medium | Floor type and marks | | Final control | 10–25 min | Easy | Thoroughness | **Typical total:** 2.5–6 hours. ## Step by step 1. **Start with air and light** - Open windows briefly before you begin. - Use good lighting so dust and streaks are visible. 2. **Clear the room down to washable surfaces** - Remove loose items, decorations, books, electronics, cushions and throws. - Move furniture slightly away from walls if possible. 3. **Dry cleaning first** - Remove cobwebs and dust from ceiling corners. - Dust lamps, curtain rails, shelves and high surfaces. - Vacuum the sofa thoroughly, including under cushions. - Vacuum the entire floor after dusting higher surfaces. 4. **Do the details that decide whether the room feels finished** - Wipe skirting boards. - Clean door and window frames and handles. - Wipe around switches and outlets. - Vacuum or wipe visible dust from vents and radiators. 5. **Wall and door marks** - Start with lukewarm water and microfiber. - Use mild cleaner on the cloth only if needed. - Avoid hard scrubbing on matte painted walls. 6. **Windows and mirrors** - Dust frames before washing glass. - Clean glass and dry edges with a dry microfiber cloth. 7. **Floor** - Vacuum carefully along edges and under furniture. - Mop with very little water on parquet or laminate. - Use only enough cleaner to avoid a sticky film. 8. **Final twenty minutes** - Leave the room and come back in for a fresh-eye and smell test. - Check skirting boards, handles, vents, windows and under furniture. - Take photos. ## Common mistakes 1. Dust is still left up high. 2. Skirting boards and frames were wiped too quickly. 3. Too much soap leaves streaks on floors and doors. 4. Sofas and rugs were vacuumed only on top. 5. The room is visually clean but still smells closed-in or perfumed. ## Stains, odors and minor issues ### Typical marks - Dark wall scuffs: start with water and microfiber, then mild cleaner if needed. - Candle wax: let it harden completely before removing it gently. - Adhesive residue: soften carefully and lift with a plastic card. ### Odor removal - Ventilate several times during the clean. - Textiles often hold odor, so vacuum them properly and wash removable covers if relevant. - Avoid covering odor with strong room sprays. ## Printable final checklist - [ ] All loose items and waste removed - [ ] Surfaces dust-free - [ ] Lamps and ceiling corners free of dust and cobwebs - [ ] Curtain rails wiped - [ ] Vents vacuumed and visibly clean - [ ] Radiator cleaned, including behind and under it - [ ] Doors, frames and handles wiped - [ ] Switches and outlets wiped around - [ ] Windows cleaned inside, including frames - [ ] Mirrors and glass streak-free - [ ] Floor vacuumed along skirting and under furniture - [ ] Floor mopped without sticky film - [ ] Room 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 tips: https://www.htu.no/rettigheter-og-plikter/utflytting - 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/ - 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/