# Move-out cleaning: Bedroom ## Assumptions and quality level A bedroom is judged almost as much by smell as by sight: - Surfaces may look clean, but stale smells from textiles or a mattress make the room feel unclean. - Small dust traps become very visible: skirting boards, window frames, radiators and wardrobes. **Quick definition of a move-out clean bedroom** - Wardrobes, shelves and drawers are empty and dust-free. - The floor is free of hair and dust, especially under the bed and along skirting boards. - Windows and frames are clean and free of black dust lines and streaks. - Visible marks on walls and doors are removed without creating shiny scrub spots. - The room smells neutral. ## Equipment and products ### Minimum kit - Vacuum cleaner with crevice tool and brush attachment. - Microfiber cloths. - Mop and bucket or spray mop. - Mild all-purpose cleaner. - Dish soap for greasy fingerprints. - Glass cleaner if needed. - Gentle non-scratch pad. - Step stool for top shelves and curtain rails. - Trash bags and paper towels. ### Safety and indoor climate - Ventilate well while cleaning. - Use a cloth instead of aerosol spray when possible. - Never mix cleaning products. ## Workflow ```mermaid flowchart TD A[Ventilate and plan] --> B[Empty the room] B --> C[Textiles first] C --> D[Dry cleaning: dust and cobwebs] D --> E[Wardrobes, shelves, drawers] E --> F[Walls and doors] F --> G[Windows and frames] G --> H[Floor] H --> I[Odor check and photos] ``` ## Time estimate | Task | Time | Level | Main time factor | |---|---:|---|---| | Emptying and tidying | 15–45 min | Easy | Amount of items | | Textiles | 20–90 min | Medium | Washing and drying | | Dust and cobwebs | 10–25 min | Easy | Ceiling height and edges | | Wardrobes and drawers | 25–75 min | Medium | Number of surfaces | | Windows and frames | 20–60 min | Medium | Number of panes | | Vacuuming and mopping | 15–45 min | Easy–medium | Floor type and hair | | Final check | 10–20 min | Easy | Thoroughness | **Typical total:** 2–5 hours. ## Step by step 1. **Ventilate and prepare** - Air the room out before you start. - Get your vacuum, cloths, bucket and mop ready. 2. **Start with textiles** - Remove bed linen. - Take down curtains if required by the agreement. - Vacuum both sides of rugs if possible. 3. **Reduce mattress and textile odor** - Vacuum the mattress lightly with an upholstery tool. - Let the mattress and bed air out well. 4. **Dry cleaning first** - Remove cobwebs from ceiling corners. - Dust lamps, shelves, bedside tables and dressers. - Vacuum the room roughly, including under the bed. 5. **Wardrobes and drawers** - Vacuum shelves and corners. - Wipe with lightly damp microfiber and mild cleaner. - Wipe again with clean water and dry thoroughly. 6. **Doors, frames, handles and switches** - These are high-touch zones. - Start with lukewarm water and microfiber. - Use a drop of dish soap if needed, then wipe again with clean water. 7. **Wall marks** - Start gently with water and microfiber. - Use mild cleaner only if necessary. - Avoid hard scrubbing on matte paint. 8. **Windows and frames** - Dust the frame first. - Wash the glass and dry the edges. 9. **Floor** - Vacuum carefully along skirting boards and under furniture. - Mop with as little water as your floor type requires. 10. **Final check** - Air the room again. - Leave and re-enter the room for a smell check. - Take overview and detail photos. ## Common mistakes - Wardrobes are emptied but not vacuumed in corners. - The floor is washed before dusting high surfaces. - Too much cleaner leaves streaks and fragrance instead of a clean feel. - Dust and hair are left under the bed or along skirting boards. - Strong products are used on painted walls, leaving shiny spots. ## Stains, odors and minor issues ### Odor - Wash or air out textiles first. - Baking soda may reduce lingering odor after cleaning, but it does not remove the source. - Avoid covering odor with strong spray fragrance. ### Typical marks - Small dark wall marks: start with water and microfiber. - Makeup or grease near a mirror: use dish soap in water on a cloth. - Adhesive residue: loosen gently with warmth and lift carefully. ## Printable final checklist - [ ] Room emptied and waste removed - [ ] Cobwebs and dust removed from corners and lamps - [ ] All surfaces dust-free - [ ] Wardrobes, shelves and drawers vacuumed and wiped - [ ] Door, frame and handles free of fingerprints - [ ] Switches and sockets wiped around - [ ] Windows and frames cleaned inside - [ ] Floor vacuumed along skirting boards and under furniture - [ ] Floor cleaned correctly for the floor type - [ ] 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 - Required condition at handover: https://www.htu.no/artikler/i-hvilken-stand-ma-boligen-vaere-ved-tilbakelevering - HTU - Move-out tips: https://www.htu.no/rettigheter-og-plikter/utflytting - 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/